LibertyCricket.com

Liberty SC volunteers with Cultural Council Senior Center

matchstick — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:12:54 +0000

Liberty Sports Club, in its continued effort to create a positive impact in the local community, participated in a volunteering event with the United Hindu Cultural Council Senior Center on Sunday, January 22nd. The LSC team spent a day repainting a section of the Center’s main hall. The center is located in the South Ozone Park section of Queens, New York (One the corner of Lefferts Ave & Sutter Ave), just a few blocks from the LSC home address.

The UHCCSC, despite its name, is a nondenominational Senior Center which serves the South Ozone and surrounding areas. The reach of the organization can extend to the other Boroughs of Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island and Manhattan during the summer time when travel is more conducive for the seniors.

During weekdays the center provides a safe, secure and healthy place for seniors to socialize. The patrons are furnished with transportation, daily lunches and other basic services.

Members of the LSC team stoped for a picture in the UHCCSC hall which was repainted.

LSC in association with new partner Achievers Real Estate, NY Inc. spent the Sunday at the Center repainting and wound it up with a social dinner at Hibiscus Restaurant.

Club President, Vickey Khilawan, expressed thanks to the club members for taking their personal time off to volunteer towards a worthy cause. He also reiterated the need for young people in our local community to become active contributors to their neighborhood and its development.

Director of the UHCCSC, Vidya Jamoona, also expressed thanks to the LSC organization for their time and indicated that the Center always welcomes help from members of the community. She highlighted that one of the simplest ways to get involved is to sponsor lunch for a day at the center.

Both LSC and UHCCSC expressed agreement in forming a long term partnership towards further development in the community.

See the contact information below to learn how you can get involved.

Contact Information for Associated Organizations

Org: United Hindu Cultural Council Senior Center (A 501 (C) nonprofit)

Contact: Director, Vidya Jamoona

Telephone #: (347) 806-5804

How You Can Get Involved: Sponsor Lunches, Make Donations

Org: Achievers Real Estate NY, Inc

Contact: Owner/Broker, Haseeb Ally (Andy)

Telephone #: (917) 335-8928

How You Can Get Involved: Become a Patron/Customer

Org: Hibiscus Restaurant

Contact: Customer Service

Telephone #: (718) 849-4225

How You Can Get Involved: Become a Patron/Customer

Org: Liberty Sports Club

Contact: Danesh Deonarain

Telephone #: (917) 648-4861

How You Can Get Involved: Donate, Become a Member

[[Show as slideshow]]

Atlantis Awards College Stipends Scholarship Fund Benefits Freshmen

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:38:15 +0000

Join the forum discussion on this post

By John L. Aaron

Atlantis Cricket Club – NY recently awarded financial stipends to four young men and one young woman, all 2011 college freshmen, through its Shevonne Mentis Educational Scholarship Fund started in 2001 and following the tragic circumstances of September 11th of that year.

The 2011 scholarship awardees are Prashanth Nair, Casper Davis, Jr., Clifford Hamilton, Neigelle Harper and Reece Gibbs. The two main recipients are Nair and Davis, both current players on the Atlantis roster and members of the club for the past two years. Each of the two players received $1,000 scholarship stipends. Hamilton, Harper and Gibbs are currently enrolled at New York Technical College, University of New Mexico, and Nassau County Community College, respectively.

Prashanth Nair, who was born in Kerala, India and migrated to the USA in 2007, has been playing cricket since the age of nine. A graduate of It Takes A Village Academy (ITAVA) Tilden Campus High School in Brooklyn, NY, Nair is now enrolled at City College of NY (CUNY) and intends to major in mechanical engineering.

The 19 year-old all-rounder and captain of the Atlantis men’s team, represented the USA at the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup qualifier in Ireland last year and describes himself as a cricketer with a never give up attitude who loves competition. He states that he is always seeking to learn something new, so that he may become a better cricketer.

As a college freshman Prashanth Nair says that during his first semester in college, he was still in a high school state of mind, but quickly perked up during his first college finals examinations, adding, “Now, I understand the flow of college and I am ready to work hard to reach my goal.”

Casper Davis, Jr., is an Atlantis opening bowler who enjoys batting and has demonstrated his prowess with the willow on a number of occasions, while representing Atlantis in the Easter American Cricket Association.

Born in St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Casper migrated to the USA in 2008 and attended the Performing Arts and Technology High School in Brooklyn, NY from where he graduated with honors and was recognized as one of the City’s outstanding scholars by New York City Department of Education Chancellor, Dennis Walcott. Now a student at Bard College located in the picturesque area of Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. He plans on majoring in American History.

Casper labels himself as “…a hard-working cricketer, as well as a hard-working student.” If his determination and commitment to the sport of cricket is any indication, the young man has a very bright future ahead of him.

The Shevonne Mentis Educational Scholarship Fund was established by Atlantis Cricket Club – NY soon after September 11, 2001, and in memory of the 25-year old daughter of Aubrey “Major” Mentis, a member of Atlantis. Ms. Mentis was an employee of Marsh USA Inc. in the World Trade Center, at the time of her unfortunate demise. The very ambitious young woman was pursuing a degree in Business Management at the Borough of Manhattan Community College of the City University of New York. The fund provides financial stipend awards to college freshmen recommended by members of Atlantis Cricket Club. It is funded by donations from club members, supporters and part-proceeds from fundraising activities organized by the club.

Since the fund was established, seventeen recipients have benefited and have or are currently attending such American educational institutions as the Borough of Manhattan Community College, The University at Buffalo, The University of Maryland, Harvard University, University of New Mexico, New York City College of Technology, Nassau County Community College, Hunter College, and Bard College. In addition, the fund has made a monetary award in Ms. Mentis’ name to her alma mater the Borough of Manhattan Community College, for students majoring in Business Management.

Massiah left out of USA’s probables list

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:10:19 +0000

Join the forum discussion on this post

By Peter Della Pena

From Cricinfo.com

Steve Massiah, the USA captain who was arrested by federal authorities in November, is not among the 29 players invited for a selection camp ahead of the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in the UAE. Former USA player Mark Johnson has been named head coach, while former Pakistan Test player Asif Mujtaba, who resides in Texas, is assistant coach.

The camp will be held in Florida between January 19 and 22 after which a 14-man squad will be selected for the qualifier from March 13 to 24.

Massiah was arrested on November 22 and is accused of defrauding banks and mortgage companies by allegedly falsifying mortgage loan applications to make borrowers appear more creditworthy to financial institutions. The charges carry a maximum of 20 years in prison. Massiah’s passport was confiscated and sources claim his lawyer is currently engaged in negotiations for a plea bargain.

The most likely choice to replace Massiah as captain is Sushil Nadkarni, USA’s highest run-scorer since his debut in August 2006. Nadkarni, 35, was USA’s vice-captain at the ICC Americas Division One Twenty20 tournament in Florida last July and led the team with 149 runs in five innings. The other contenders for the captaincy are Orlando Baker and Usman Shuja.

Only five players on the list were part of USA’s squad at the World Twenty20 Qualifier in 2010, when they pulled off a six-wicket upset victory over Scotland before losing to Ireland and Afghanistan. Apart from Baker, Nadkarni and Shuja, the other two players who were part of the squad at the previous qualifier were fast bowler Imran Awan and wicketkeeper-batsman Carl Wright. Awan, 32, has not represented USA since a poor showing at the ICC World Cricket League Division Five in Nepal in 2010, and is considered a long shot for a recall.

Wright, 34, last played for USA at the ICC World Cricket League Division Three in January 2011, where he had an inconsistent showing – 82 and 43 in his first two innings followed by 2, 1, 0 and 4. He was dropped for the ICC Americas Division One Twenty20. However, Wright played a crucial role for USA at the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in 2010. He was Man of the Match in the win over Scotland, scoring 62 off 57 balls to lead a successful chase, and was USA’s highest scorer at the tournament, with 92 runs in three innings.

Four players who played for USA at the 2011 ICC Under-19 World Cup Qualifier in Ireland were invited to the camp – wicketkeeper Steven Taylor and fast bowlers Mital Patel, Hammad Shahid and Salman Ahmad. Taylor, 18, scored 455 runs in Ireland – the second most – and has an excellent chance of being picked. He made his debut with the senior team at the age of 16 against Jamaica in 2010 and was one of six wicketkeepers invited to the camp.

Former West Indies Test spinner Neil McGarrell, 39, was also included but was unavailable according to a source. McGarrell was originally in USA’s squad for their tour to Hong Kong last year but the ICC ruled he was ineligible to play for them. Aditya Thyagarajan, USA’s highest scorer in 2010, also received an invite to the camp but had to withdraw due to work obligations. Thyagarajan has not played for USA since dislocating his right knee in a freak injury against Denmark in Hong Kong.

USA is in Group B at the qualifier along with Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Namibia, Oman, Scotland and Uganda. Their first match is on March 13 against Uganda in Sharjah.

Probables: Salman Ahmad, Quasen Alfred, Imran Awan, Orlando Baker, Adil Bhatti, Ryan Corns, Akeem Dodson (wk), Bhim George, Muhammad Ghous, Adrian Gordon, Elmore Hutchinson, Naseer Jamali, Asif Khan, Ashhar Mehdi (wk), Aditya Mishra, Nauman Mustafa (wk), Sushil Nadkarni, Japen Patel, Mital Patel, Abhimanyu Rajp, Gowkaran Roopnarine (wk), Saqib Saleem, Samarth Shah, Hammad Shahid, Usman Shuja, Timothy Surujbally, Steven Taylor (wk), Ravi Timbawala, Carl Wright (wk).

Imdad Khan Captures PSAL 2011 Cricketer of the Year

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:07:08 +0000

Join the forum discussion on this post

PSAL 2011 Cricketer of the Year
Imdad Khan Captures Top Wingate Athlete Award

A proud young man Imdad Khan stood tall on the stage at the Anthony Genovise Center at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, New York this past summer to accept the 2010-2011 NYC Public Schools Athletic League’s Wingate Award as the PSAL’s outstanding cricketer of the year.

The very articulate youth cricketer thanked his parents, coach and team members, attributing his achievement to all of them, while expressing his passion for the game of cricket.

The Aviation Career & Tech Education High School graduate has represented his alma mater for four years at the sport of cricket, never missing a single match. As a “founding member” of the sport at the Long Island City, NY high school, Imdad helped shape the introduction of the sport at the school, while helping to navigate the institution to a Division Championship in 2010. The honor student dream is to pursue a career in aeronautical engineering.

Under the watchful eyes of cricket coach Wesley Henry while at Aviation High, Imdad was as impressive on the cricket field as he was in the classroom. Coach Henry remarked, “He is a model student-athlete who worked hard in and out of the classroom. Personally, I often consider him an example of what a father’s son should exemplify.”

The right-handed batsman was impressive enough in the two areas of concentration resulting in his capturing the top athlete award in the category of Spring sports at the 40th Annual Wingate Awards ceremony. Held every year to recognize the top athletes in the PSAL’s 38 co-ed sport categories, the recognition is reserved only for those student-athletes who have distinguished themselves on and off the field of sports.

Ironically, Imdad Khan was born in the USA to Shameer and Bebi Khan, immigrants from the South American cricketing-playing nation of Guyana. He was accompanied at the awards by his dad Shameer, mother Bebi Naseema, his sister Sabeena, and his uncle Maurice Brady. Lending congratulatory support was PSAL Cricket Commissioner Bassett Thompson and yours truly.

Although not exposed to the sport in the country of his parents‘birth, Imdad has been drawn to the sport as an all-rounder, despite many other varsity sports available at his high school. He modestly claims that cricket is simply a hobby for him, but it is easy to understand since his focus seems to be laser sharp on obtaining a degree in Business Management, while pursuing his career choice of aeronautical engineering. He remarked, “I would like to become part of a management team in the aeronautical engineering business, and having a degree in business management would be a plus to my engineering experience.”

The eighteen-year old high school student is currently gaining some valuable hands-on experience at British Airways at the John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. Selected as one of only 24 students from a graduating class of 400, a very shy Imdad acknowledged that it was an honor to be one of 150 students doing the fifth year aviation high school program and being amongst the 24 now interning with various airlines at the busy JFK airport in New York.

With an academic average of almost 90, Imdad also serves as a community service volunteer at his high school, participating in such activities as canned food drives, Penny Harvest, and the recent Haiti Relief effort.

The New York City PSAL cricket program is now entering its fifth year, and attracted 26 city high school teams during its 2011 season, up from 14 teams in its inaugural year 2008. The number of high schools participating this year is expected to climb past last year’s 26, providing funds are made available by the New York City Department of Education. The program organized under the leadership of PSAL Executive Director Donald Douglas, Assistant Administrator Lorna Austin, Commissioner Bassett Thompson, and Assistant Commissioner Ricky Kissoon, has made a significant impact in the cricketing community in the New York area.

Attracting almost 400 cricketers per season, mainly the offspring of immigrants from cricket-playing countries the PSAL program launched in 2008 has also attracted significant media coverage in the metropolitan area, touting cricket as an alternative sport to the myriad of sports offered under the auspices of the PSAL.

For a full listing of the 2011 Wingate award recipients click here - http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/mediarelations/NewsandSpeeches/2010-2011/wingateawardsrelease61311.htm

AN INVITATION TO AMERICANS: PLAY CRICKET

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:03:37 +0000

Join the forum discussion on this post

by
Sam Soopperesaud

Dear Americans:

“…the President of the United States of America Cricket Association already has one primary goal for cricket across the country and that is to attract a lot more Americans to play the game.”This is part of the information that appeared on the USACA.org web site a few days ago and is still on the site. So, I, the writer, being an ardent cricket lover and one who wants to see the game grow in this country, do hereby extend an invitation to Americans to play cricket. What an original idea from our distinguished president! Attract more Americans to play cricket! How come no one else thought of such an innovative idea?

Quoting more from the article, this is what Mr. Gladstone Dainty, USACA’s president said, “We will work diligently to implement the program to spread the word to try to get Americans to play the game.” While he is expecting to have a “mechanism in place to encourage Americans to play cricket,” others are actively doing something about it. We read about American-born Jamie Harrison who has introduced cricket to American kids in the primary school system across America, through his United States Youth Cricket Association (USYCA) and is distributing cricket kits to numerous schools. Also, the New York based Atlantis Cricket Club has donated cricket gears and kits to a K-5 Charter School in the Rockaways, Queens area. The club is ready to go into that school to conduct active coaching seminars.

In New York City, the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) and the New York Police Department (NYPD) are running cricket programs which have a large participation of American kids. For instance, the coach at Stuyvesant High School, Dr. Mohamed (Zaffie) Khan is proud to tell you that his high school cricket squad is made up of 100% American kids. He works conscientiously with them. After three years of hard work they won their first game in the 2011 PSAL cricket season. The kids are anxiously awaiting the start of the next season so that they can show how much better they have gotten under the tutelage of Coach Khan. In the meantime USACA “…will work diligently to implement the program to spread the word to try to get Americans to play the game.”

I would like to introduce the USACA organization to the future American cricket stars. USACA is the top administrative body for cricket in the USA. We are an Associate Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) which “controls” cricket throughout the cricketing world. One of the things an Associate Member of ICC must have is a Constitution that governs its administration and activities. The Constitution must state “specific elections protocols” among the various Articles, and must be prepared to carry out the guidelines as specified in the Constitution.So my American friends, when we ask you to put away your basketball, your baseball mitt, or your hockey stick, we are ready to receive you under the USACA banner as a cricketer. You would no longer be under the banner of the Major League Baseball organization, nor would you be under the banner of the NBA. You would have the privilege of being under the banner of USACA. Pay no mind to the fact that USACA was suspended twice for its failure, or refusal, to follow the directives of its Constitution. It appeared that the people at the top of the USACA administrative ladder just couldn’t interpret the Constitution correctly and missed its 2011 election date deadlines. There were other things that USACA messed up on, also. But hey, why worry? It is just the Constitution that was “kicked” around, nothing that’s very important!

In 2004, Eshan Mani and Malcolm Speed of the ICC wrote a “Dear Gladstone” letter to the USACA president which stated in part, and I quote in part. “…as a final comment, we have seen numerous sporting organizations in various states of disarray throughout our period of involvement as sports administrators. We have never seen a sporting organization that combines such great potential and such poor administration as USACA. From our observation, much of the blame for this lies with the current office bearers of USACA, including you (Gladstone Dainty). We question whether the current administration of USACA can play any constructive role in taking the game forward in the United States.” So, our new breed of cricket players, you can see that our present administration of USACA will definitely move the game in “a direction.” Any guess as to which direction that would be?We want the Americans to play cricket. Once you start playing the game, you would not experience any difficulty in locating a cricket club with which to be affiliated. There are thousands of cricket clubs around the country. Good news for you new cricket enthusiasts. We have a structure. These clubs are registered in various cricket leagues. These leagues are assigned to various Regions, depending on the geographical location of the leagues. Each club, league, and region has its own Constitution. The top cricket organization USACA also has its own Constitution. So it appears, at least on paper, that the cricket player’s rights and obligations are clearly spelled out.

At the regional level of USACA the Constitution provides for each region to elect its own administration. Once the regional administration is in place they elect a Representative who sits on the Board of USACA. This person is the liaison between USACA and his region, and would further the cause of the region on the Board, supposedly. But in reality this is simply a fairytale, because when the Board meets, either in-person or in teleconferences, it does “its own thing.” The Board, rather than be the servants of regions, assumes the authority of being the Master of the regions. ”The regions do not know what they want. We know what they want” is the rationale of the USACA Board. What was the term used for this in the metamorphosis from Socialism to Communism? Oh yes! The Dictatorship of the Proletariat. Dictatorship is what we have at USACA. So come on, you young American cricketers. You do not have to know what’s good for you; the guys at the head of USACA know it all.

As I mentioned above, each Region has the constitutional right to elect its own administration. But be warned that the USACA Board does not have to accept the results of the Regional elections if the “wrong” people are elected. The USACA Constitution gives the Regions the right to send a Representative to sit on the Board. Again, USACA does not “have” to accept that constitutionally elected Representative. Then again, the Regions have the constitutional right to recall their Board Representative and replace him/her with a new Representative. Again, USACA “does not” have to respect this Constitutional right of the Regions.

As a player you would be encouraged to work hard and improve upon your cricket skills. Coaches are around to help you improve. Once you have “cut the mustard” you may be called up to go to camp with others in the hope of being selected for an ICC sponsored tournament. Hey, you may even go to camp in Barbados and have the best coaches from the ICC and the West Indies at your disposal. After the camp you may be required to attend a final camp in Lauderhill Stadium in Florida, where the final touring selection would be made. Don’t worry, you have an excellent chance of making the final cut if you “agree” to everything that USACA throws at you. Agree to be treated unfairly, keep your mouth shut, don’t complain, and you are in. See, how easy it is to make a USACA side! No sweat! You may even be given a bonus in the form of new appointment of coaches. You would even have the honor of getting a Head Coach who is thousands of miles away at the time of his appointment. The new coaches do not have to know the skills of each player. Remember, they are USACA’s; they know everything. Preposterous!

In all organizations, be it in sports or business, there is always disagreement among the leaders. This is an undisputed fact. So too, with the USACA Board of Directors. Thank goodness, there is a remedy to take care of splits on the BOD. There is nothing more awakening than going on a USACA paid trip to an ICC event to watch the USA side compete! Chairing an important committee in the USACA organization is always desirable!

New cricket stars, American cricket stars, I will tell you more of what our leading cricket body has to offer you. Your league presidents would have the honor and the privilege, backed by the USACA Constitution, to elect the officers of USACA, its President, the two Vice Presidents, the Secretary, and the Treasurer, for a term period of three years. But there is a c-a-a-a-atch. These officers do not have to vacate their office when their term is over. All they have to do is “not call elections,” by coming up with excuses for not holding general elections. In other words, extend their term in office without amending the USACA Constitution in the proper manner.

Let me get back to some literal writing of facts. At present the USACA General Elections are long overdue. The three-year term of the present office holders expired in March of 2011. Elections are ten months overdue. Several articles have been written concerning this fact, USACA has been reminded of this fact, and there is a threat of a law suit against USACA to bring about a solution. All have fallen on deaf ears. The lame duck administration still governs our cricket. What makes it more brazen is that no one from the USACA board feels that they owe the cricket stakeholders a proper explanation.

My dear potential American cricketers, I have given you some information on our cricket and our chief cricket organizing body. It is now left up to you to make the choice “To play cricket.” Unless the people running USACA show transparency, fairness, and the inclination to work for and on behalf of the cricket stakeholders, cricket would remain a foreign game to the American sportsman.

Note:

I have chosen to write this article using sarcasm, frequently, because researches have shown that sarcasm definitely makes an impression on a situation that continues to radiate negative vibrations. I elicit comments from my readers; all are welcomed, whether you agree with me or not. You may comment on this site or through email to me at Ssamrajs@verizon.net or phone (718) 945-0616

Derek and Alvin Kallicharan’s Brother has passed on

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:49:39 +0000

Join the forum discussion on this post

Cricket fans, our community has been losing lots of people as of late. It is with sadness again that I report the death of Wallace Kallicharran. Wallace was the brother of former WI & Guyana batsman Alvin Kallicharan and Guyana & USA player Derek Kallicharan. Wallace passed away in Guyana yesterday at the age of 57. Wake and Funeral Arrangements are being made in Guyana.

LET’S GET MOVING WITH USACA’S BUSINESS

admin — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:05:34 +0000

Join the forum discussion on this post

by

Sam Sooppersaud

    Now that the holidays are about over, we, the cricket fans who want to see our game move to a higher level, must get back to the task of working towards achieving this end. Firstly, I hope that everyone had an enjoyable and peaceful holiday season. It is my wish in this new year, that we all concentrate our collective efforts towards building a cricket structure that would propel our game forward, be it at the club level, the league level, the regional level, or the national level. Let us work selflessly- without the thought of “what’s in it for me”- so that ultimately the winner would be Cricket.

    I have recommenced my campaign to bring about a better administered USACA, a USACA that would command the loyalty and respect of the cricket fraternity in this country. Sadly, at this juncture of time, our main cricket administration body is lacking this kind of allegiance. For this allegiance, I would continue to work.

    In keeping with my goal I have already began “talking cricket” with interested persons around the US of A. This morning (Monday, January 2, 2012, I had a long and fruitful conversation with a former New Yorker, now a Floridian, Orville Hall, to say the least of him, an ardest cricket man! He is the pointman in the campaign of presidential candidate, former USACA VP, Nabeel Ahmed. Nabeel is committed to the proper functioning of USACA and is concerned that other candidates may be embarking on actions that would hurt our cricket in the long run.

    Mr. Nabeel Ahmed is committed to solving USACA’s problems “inhouse”, meaning that he prefer that our cricket fraternity solve our stalemate in and with USACA. He did not use any names, but you the readers, would recall that another presidential candidate, Mr. Ram Varadarajan, has written to the ICC requesting that they intervene and help to solve USACA’s administrative problems. He has also indicated that he is prepared to file a lawsuit against USACA to bring about a solution. Nabeel is quick to tell you that this course of action would hurt USA cricket, by attaching a stigma to our ruling cricket body and more importantly would hurt CHALLC by driving away potential investors. It is the hope that Professional T20 Cricket would inaugurate in the USA by the middle of this year. USACA and CHALLC are working towards this end. Let us support this effort.

    Orville Hall and myself touched on several keys issues that needed to be addressed by the various presidential candidates. He made it abundantly clear to me that Nabeel strongly feel that a face to face debate among the various candidates is necessary to facilitate the electorates (league presidents) in making a wise choice at election time. With all the dissatisfaction being voiced about the present USACA Board, the question being asked is this, ”do we want to get rid of (Mr.) Dainty, or (each candidate) want to become the president”.  Ponder this!

    Following is the statement in its entirety prepared and sent to me by the Nabeel campaign.

January 3, 2012

To Sam Soopersaud:

For immediate release

Let’s get moving with USACA’s business

I have been quiet for sometime since USACA elections have been delayed and the compliance process started. My campaign is about to restart now that the election dates are announced.
After several false starts, let’s see if It’ll happen this time.
As you recall after my resignation, and until now, I have not taken or threatened to take any legal action against USACA and have not written to ICC. I consider USACA our domestic problem and we need to resolve it in-house.

I recommend to every candidate who is getting prepared to run for any position, especially for the presidency, not to take any action which can ultimately hurt the USACA brand.

Writing to ICC and threatening to file a law suit against USACA will not resolve the issues. We are adults, and must be mature enough to fix our problems internally; even ICC wants us to follow that trend.

If anything, writing to ICC or filing a law suit against USACA, especially by a member who is sitting on LLC appointed by USACA or sitting on USACA board, will hurt USACA, and subsequently hurt LLC as well. This could create a panic situation among the LLC investors, and in the process USA cricket will be the loser, and the LLC might lose its investors. This kind of action by a board member can put LLC in serious jeopardy.

In the end, I recommend that we should prepare for the upcoming elections and at the same time be a loyal customer of USA cricket. We should help the system to achieve the goal of commencing the much needed elections soon, instead of threatening to file law suits and tarnishing the image of the LLC and USACA in the process.

Once again I appeal for a presidential debate, arranged by USACA prior to the elections, so the voters (league presidents) can make their choice after hearing the plans, vision and mission of the candidates.

Nabeel Ahmed

Youth Team Send off Function Scheduled for January 8th at Beni’s Bar

admin — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 06:08:39 +0000

Join the forum discussion on this post

NEW YORK CRICKET REGION (TM)

INVITES YOU TO A SEND OFF FUNCTION FOR THE NEW YORK REGION YOUTH TEAM

SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 20122:00 PM

BENI’S RESTAURANT

130^TH STREET AND LIBERTY AVENUE

QUEENS , NEW YORK

PLENTY OF FOOD and comraderie

CASH BAR

Parents and supporters are welcome

A donation will be solicited

Hafeez of Rockaway CC Mother has passed on

admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:18:13 +0000

Join the forum discussion on this post

Readers it is with great sadness that I announce the passing of the mother of Hafeez Ali of Rockaway Group of Car Service and Roti Shop. The wake will be held at 111-49 124 street in Queens and the Funeral Service is tomorrow.

Where Does The League Money go?

Contributor — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:07:19 +0000

Join the forum discussion on this post

Cricket Leagues in the New York Cricket Region:

Business or No Business??

As we all prepare to ring in the New Year many league presidents and officials are probably vacationing on a beautiful Island or Country while many of you the “faithful” cricketers (me just want to play some ball) are probably struggling to keep your job in order to provide for your families. Yes, we all came to this great Country for same reason, “The American Dream”, but many are known to take short-cuts in achieving that dream while others are affected intentionally or unintentionally.

Yes, off course its human nature to make mistakes in life, but it’s NOT A MISTAKE when you know for a FACT that you are affecting others in the progress of furthering yourself. For example, our USA Cricket Captain is under scrutiny with the Feds in reference to mortgage fraud, but we as the cricket public are entitled to be judgmental regardless if it’s positive or negative. God bless America for “freedom of speech”.

As we all know with that “American Dream” follows the media attention, and ninety percent of the news reported by the media reflects negative vibes within our society. This is not to say that our US captain is a “bad person”, but fortunately in America you are innocent until proven guilty. “God bless America once again.”

Now back to the New York Cricket Leagues. The following cricket leagues are part of the New York Cricket Region.

Cricket League	President
Eastern American Cricket Association	Rudy Persaud
Commonwealth Cricket League	Leslie Lowe
Brooklyn Cricket League	John Wilson
New York Cricket League	Milford Lewis
American Cricket League	Wesley King
Metropolitan Cricket League	Mas. Bailey
Nassau Cricket League	Paul Dasilva

League	Number of Teams	Membership Fee	Total	Number of Grounds
EACA	13	$1,600	$20,800	6
CCL	77	$1,200	$92,400	10
BCL	18	$1,000	$18,000	5
*NYCL*	*Very*	*Little*	*Cricket*	*Played*
ACL	13	$850.00	$11,050	5
MCL	20	$1,200	$24,000	12
NCL	8	$1,000	$8,000	4

TOTAL $175,200

**** The above table is roughly an approximation, but fairly close to the exact figures.

Please be mindful that all teams are responsible for umpires’ fee and MUST purchase cricket balls from the leagues. An average cost per match for an umpire is $75-$90, and balls usually cost approximately $10.00 each. Furthermore, the NYC Parks Dept. charges $10.00/hr. to use the parks. Keep in mind that grounds located in Long Island may cost a little more. Many teams and players constantly complains about the amount of money that SOME leagues demand per season just to play some ball, but rewards/awards and promises are not fulfilled at the completion of the season.

Suggestion, instead of trophies, players would like to be rewarded monetary for their outstanding season. Based on the above table, it’s quite clear that MORE THAN ENOUGH FUNDS are left over after permit fees are paid. Honestly, this is the ONLY expense for the respective leagues, unless funds are needed to conduct an end of season presentation, but then again they demand each clubs to sell tickets to offset the expense. These various positions within the leagues are not PAID POSITIONS, therefore NO ONE should be compensated for their voluntary commitment.

Questions for the faithful cricketers:

(1) Have you ever seen a financial report for you respective league?

(2) Have you ever seen a copy of the park’s permit for your respective league?

(3) Have you ever seen a copy of the Insurance Policy for the respective league?

We the faithful cricketers MUST DEMAND CHANGES in the 2012 Cricket Season. Many of us are comfortable with the leagues we play in, but are spending TOO MUCH MONEY just to PLAY SOME BALL. We need to become MORE PROACTIVE in the Cricket Leagues and let our voices be heard.

Happy New Year !!

Your Faithful Cricketer