By Sam Sooppersaud
The Indo-Caribbean Federation proudly presents its 24th Annual Cricket Match on Saturday, August 2nd, 2014, commencing at 11:00.A.M. at the Baisley Park Cricket Field, Baisley and Rockaway Boulevards, Queens., New York.
The game will be played in the memory of the late Jimmy Maraj.
The game is dedicated to the memory of former businessman and avid cricketer, Jimmy Maharaj. This annual affair started twenty-three ago, with a squad led by Michael Chin representing Guyana playing a squad representing Trinidad & Tobago. Jimmy captained T&T in the inaugural match. He was always an exciting individual, on and off the cricket field. Always ready to impart some advice to his friends. He also brought up some of the best players from Trinidad and Tobago that elevated the standard of this match.
Jimmy spent more than two decades in the game, playing, administering, sponsoring, and when not directly involved in a game, he was a spectator cheering his favorite team onward. The ICF salutes a true cricket lover, posthumously.
This year’s edition of the Federation game will feature a squad representing Guyana with the opposing squad selected from among the Rest of the Caribbean. Skippering the squads would be Karan Ganesh for Guyana and Glen Lorrick for the Caribbean Combined Xl.
In the past year the ICF has honored several cricket personalities of fame. They include, among others, former West Indies Test players Leonard Baichan, Raphick Jumadeen and Bernard Julien. Last year’s honoree was Guyana born Caribbean Sports commentator and journalist, Joseph “Reds” Perreira. This year’s cricket honoree, an award would be made to Educator and Journalist, Sam Sooppersaud, who would receive an award for his contribution to the work of the Indo-Caribbean Federation.
This forty overs format of cricket will showcase some exciting young talents from the New York area in addition to some experienced former Guyana and Trinidad National players. Public Schools Athletic League’s Derrick Narine, an all-rounder from John Adams High School is included in the Guyana contingent. During the 2014 PSAL cricket season he scored over 1000 runs and took in excess of 20 wickets. I have seen him in several games. He is a bowler’s nightmare.
USA National player, Karan Ganesh, former Guyana National players, Vijay Seenarie and speedster, Kevin Darlington, playing for Guyana, and the experienced Glen Lorrick and former T & T National all-rounder, David Mohammed, would add to this cricket extravaganza.
Our contributor Sam Sooppersaud will be honored.
The ICF will once again has it’s festivities during the half time recess, a few local singers will be rendering their favorite tunes. Dancers from the Indo-Caribbean Community would give the fans a treat with some latest Bollywood dance moves. These are some of the artists who performed recently at the ICF Talent Show at Smokey Park, in June of this year. The President of the organization, Ralph Tamesh who recently celebrated 25 years with the ICF would give a short address. Tamesh quoted “Glenn Lorick and me last year came up with the idea to include players from the other Caribbean countries so we could get more participation from the West Indian cricket fans, also we could showcase some of the best players in the New York area”
Write this date down on your calendar- August 2nd- a day of fun for the entire family, you would enjoy an exciting day of cricket. The teams are Guyana, Karan Ganesh, Veejay Seenarine, Andy Mohamed, Gajanand Singh, Kevin Darlington, Jonathan Foo, Udesh Bisnauth, Troy Doodnauth, Telson Johnson, Alex Amsterdam, Akeem Dodson, Zamal Khan and Derrick Narine. Rest of Caribbean team is
Glenn Lorick, Richie Sewchand, David Mohamed, F Taj, Ralston Levey, Adry Linsay, Maurice Powell, Steve Samuels, Dwayne Smith, Sajib Salam, Mavin Darlington, Zeniffe Fowler, Keith Edie and Javein Thomas.
Umpires for the game are Steve Kalloo and Ashook Brijcoomar. Sam Sooppersaud is the Match Referee and a game facilitator. Commentators Lenny Achaibar and Carl Bennett would be on hand to call the ball by ball play. The match will once again be broadcast live on WICR radio 1620am also or icrradio.com also live streaming on cricketzoneusa.com
For further information, you may call Ralph Tamesh or Son Son at (347) 995-0853 and Shamin Ali or Robert Mohamed at (718) 848-9427 Of course you may contact this writer at (718) 844-7236