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Mayor Bloomberg Welcomes Cricket to Gracie Mansion

On Drive Commentary 

July 2, 2010

Last Friday evening, cricket,the gentleman's game, made its debut in the hallowed halls of Gracie Mansion when His Honor, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, welcomed guests to the 2010 Awards ceremony of the Mayor's Cup competition. Among the honored guests were United States Cricket CEO Don Lockerbie, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, Park's Commissioner Julius Spiegel, PSAL Cricket Commissioner Bassett Thompson,

and leaders of the New York cricket community.

Cricket has once again basked in all its glory as a game that has layered itself throughout its rich history as one of glorious uncertainties. It took center stage at City Hall, the most welcomed home to all immigrants in the greatest city of the world. It was an affair unique to the cricket community and after the formal photographic opportunity, the Mayor in his address to the cricketers recognized the passion for the game shown by the cricket community. In addition, he attempted to enlighten the audience of his knowledge of cricket, and how it was explained to him some time ago to the tune of ‘when the in is out, the out goes in, etc., that explanation left His Honor somewhat perplexed as he wondered why so many are passionate about the sport. The Mayor  reiterated that the city, in conjunction with the Parks Department and Commissioner Julius Spiegel, will continue in their efforts of assisting and promoting the game in New York City making reference to the first designated cricket field built at Spring Creek in Brooklyn. He then proceeded to present the championship trophies for the 2010 Mayors Cup.

 

NY Masters VP Austin Hutchinson, PSAL Commissioner Bassett Thompson, Cosmos President Sham Ali

 

 

 

 

 

USACA CEO Don Lockerbie (r) and Cosmos President Dr. Sham Ali at Gracie Mansion

The Brooklyn Cricket League walked away with the Champions’ Trophy in which the United States youth player Andre Kirton and Gregory Anthony took top honors, while Commonwealth Cricket League received the runners-up trophy. It was a most fitting venue for the awards ceremony of the competition in its fourth season.  A competition whose roots were pioneered and planted by the lone soldier and a champion for cricket in the NYR, Hall of Famer, Mr. Roy Sweeney, whose health prevented him from being present at the ceremony, however, his wide vision for brighter days for cricket now bore the fruits of his labor.

There were many notable cricket personalities present at the function. USACA CEO Don Lockerbie who is intent on seeing the game grow at a rapid pace in the near future, Commissioner Basset Thompson, USACA Chairman Krish Persaud, USA Cricket Umpires Association founder Lloyd Scott, MCL President Mascelles Bailey, NY Masters Vice President Austin Hutchinson, EACA President Rudy Persaud,  Cosmos President Sham Ali and commentators L. Achaibar and C. Bennett. The NYR Director Selwyn Caesar expressed his thanks to all the various representatives from around the region for their support in making the competition a success.

When the NYC Police commissioner Ray Kelly made his appearance at the function, it reaffirmed the genuineness of the elected officials and their willingness to recognize cricket on an all important platform, and the NYPD sponsored 20/20 tournament demonstrates such commitment. The presence of such a prominent contingent of elected officials and leaders in the cricket community is encouraging, and is undoubtedly a good ‘precursor’ for the game in New York. The Mayors’ Cup can now serve as the bedrock upon which cricket in the region is again given another lifeline and can once again spring into gear after years of trials and errors of various competitions within the region.

It is now left to leaders of the New York Cricket Region to find some veneer of togetherness whereby they can pool their collective heads and flex some much unused muscle for the betterment of the game. But for now cricket has checked another box, in a long inning, on a road to recognition in these United States of America.

 

Comment on this story

 

 Posted comments

 

Let me quote, "...it is now left on the NY Region to find some veneer of togetherness.... to pool their resources..." Isn't this what is lacking in administration

of cricket in this glorious country. All along I know the backing of elected officials and important people is there. It is just that there is so much infighting

among guys who want to be on top that they lost the true vision of what their positions entail- that is to work towards the impprovement of cricket.

Let me commend Mayor Bloomberg for taking time out from his busy schedule to host such an event. We now "have an inroad" into cricket in this city, at least.

Let our elected cricket administrators seized this unique opportunity and " finally get something done"

Sam Sooppersaud,  NY

 

Congratulations to NY Cricket!!
Hemant, CA