The 2007 National Youth Cricket Champions – New York Region were feted last Friday evening at Naresa Palace, in Queens, New York, by those responsible for the successful championship team emerging from the USACA national tournament, held in Florida during October.

The New York Youth team led by Akeem Dodson emerged unbeaten champions in the national Under-19 tournament. It was a resounding victory for the fourteen young men from the New York area, some of whom have since “Graduated” from the exciting Under-19 cricket age category.

Master-of-Ceremony John Aaron in his opening remarks urged the young men to align themselves with cricket clubs who are forward thinking and supportive of their academic efforts, as well. The President of the Eastern American Cricket Association noted that with more than 500 clubs affiliated to the national organization – USACA, many of which appear to not care what USACA can do for them, but was simply interested in playing recreational cricket. He further lamented the fact that several clubs have talented young men sitting on the bench in favor of the older players, some of whom are past their prime of representing the US at the international level.

The following is the full text of Aaron’s remarks to the gathering that included the youth players, their families, other league presidents, senior cricket administrators and USACA officials.

“Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen!

I have been asked to serve as this evening’s Master-of Ceremony; however, I thought that I would take this opportunity to encourage the youngsters to consider some pointers, as they contemplate their future development in the game of cricket.

Tonight belongs to you…

Tonight belongs to the future of cricket in the USA…

Tonight belongs to those who aspire to be the future of cricket in the USA…

The time has come when the wheat must be separated from the shaft of US cricket. There are in excess of 500 clubs in the Unites States of America, and our cricket administrators must consider the following questions:

• What percentage of those clubs are actually interested in what USACA can do for them, or what they can do for USACA?
• What percentage of those clubs, have players who ardently aspire to represent the USA?
• What percentage of those clubs are making a sustainable effort to produce players of your caliber, eager to wear the red, white and blue of this nation, at the international level?

The first effort at separating the wheat from the shaft must come from the administrators of the sport in this country.

What’s needed is an administration that demonstrates a clear vision for the future of the game in the US. An administration that supports a structure of divisional cricket, as a platform that allows the Crème de la Crème players like you, to rise to the top. Players like you and the more committed senior players represent the long and short term success of US cricket.

For too long the quality of US cricket has been buried within the “fete” match culture by aficionados who albeit unintentionally and through the administrative bureaucracy of US cricket, suppress the rapid development of the game in these United States.

Recreational cricket is fantastic and a vital part of the social structure of our society. Its social engineering is part of the inherent DNA of some of our common cultures and society, but there are far too many clubs consisting of players way past their prime of representing the USA, and who stand in the way of the sustainable development of our youth players.

Whereas, the cross fertilization of junior and senior talent is important for the continuation of the game’s development in any society, a clear direction must be found to channel the energies and talent of players such as you who represent the future of the game in this country.

Too many teams suppress the exposure of their young players like yourselves, by forcing you to sit on the bench, while the senior players – past their prime have a go, even as you increase in age. Is it selfishness? Not necessarily. The administration of the sport in the USA must clearly seek to develop the game, beyond the boundaries of recreation. It is the only way; we can attract the necessary sponsorship and help the development of the sport in this country.

Don’t get me wrong, there is a place for recreational cricket. However, the preponderance of clubs bent on enjoying those social attributes of fete match competitions; far outnumber the group of players serious enough to want to represent the USA at the international level.

Therefore, I urge each of you to align yourselves with forward-thinking clubs that are ever mindful of your development – on and off of the field.

The parallel development of academics and sport is crucial to the overall social development of your character. And as the saying goes, “man cannot live by bread alone,” thus, so, he cannot live by cricket alone. Therefore I urge you to stay focused on your education, but grasp the opportunity to represent the USA, with both hands, by seeking out those clubs that are bent on providing a nursery environment for the future of US cricket – YOU!

Now, let’s get on with this evening’s awards.”

The well-attended dinner event saw the young players outfitted in their dark blue blazers adorned with the New York Cricket Region’s crest. Strolling onto the stage to the strains of the English rock group Queen’s rendition of “We Are The Champions” in the background, each of the fourteen players present, along with coach Linden Fraser and manager Lester Hooper were presented with commemorative championship trophies. The evening’s program applauded the efforts of the championship team, as well as the contributions of those players who participated in the Tri-State tournament preceding selection of the regional team for the national championships. In that tournament Tri-State Youths led by Alexandrino Kirton, emerged victorious, copping the giant Ragano & Ragano trophy.

Francis Mendonca, the only player to score a century in the Tri-State tournament received a special trophy, while upcoming all-rounder cricket star Gregory Sewdial was again acknowledged as the 2007 National Championship’s MVP.

Manager Lester Hooper, brother of former Guyana and West Indies captain Carl Hooper, and coach Linden Fraser praised the group of youngsters for the hard work put into the tournament, while expressing appreciation for the contributions of Krish Prasad and Clifford Hinds, by presenting the two gentlemen with commemorative plaques. In addition, several community businesses received plaques of appreciation, for their contributions to the victorious effort.

In a rather poignant moment, outstanding USA youth player and skipper Akeem Dodson, in acknowledging the contribution his father has made to the development of his (Akeem’s) game, called upon his father Dr. Dodson to symbolically accept the national championship trophy, as a reward for his untiring efforts. Outstanding all-rounder Alex Kirton also publicly acknowledged the contribution of his father in the development of his (Alex’s) game.

In a sad moment, Alex Kirton asked those present to observe a minute of silence in memory of two young friends of his, who died in car accident earlier in the week and for the speedy recovery of two others involved in the same fatal accident.

The young cricketers have shown remarkable maturity over the past two years, despite an unfortunate “boys-will-be-boys” incident at their hotel, following their victorious championship romp in Florida. Credit for the maturity of the talented group of players, must go to individuals such as Clifford Hinds, manager and New York State law enforcement officer Lester Hooper, coach Linden Fraser, Krish Prasad, Regional Representative Carlyle Miller, Lloyd Dixon and a host of other individuals and businesses who chip in from time to time, to lend a helping hand in the on-going youth development program.

Director of Operations Clifford Hinds hinted at the development of an initiative to form a New York Youth Organization aimed specifically at helping to mold the character of younger players beyond the boundaries of cricket. Hinds said the proposed program will fall under the auspices of the national cricket association, and will include program activities on such topics as leadership and social concerns development, in addition to cricketing skills development.

However, the dinner evening really belonged to the young men, who were encouraged to take center stage and respond to the well wishes of those in attendance. No doubt nervous at the public speaking opportunity, Kirton, Dodson and Mendonca did take turns at the microphone, and received the applause of all present.

Shamin Ali of Laparkan Shipping pledged that company’s support to sponsor a 2008 Twenty20 tournament featuring Under-19 players. The management of Naresa Palace provided the venue, along with a DJ and sound system absolutely free, as a contribution to the evening’s fast-paced program.

The evening’s guests were addressed by New York Regional Representative to USACA, Carlyle Miller, as well as former Guyana and New York Junior Youth Development Program coach Gary Nascimento. USACA Treasurer Selwyn Caesar and League presidents Milford Lewis and Macellus Bailey were also in attendance to show their support for the victorious youths. Several of the senior cricket administrators in attendance participated in the distribution of acknowledgement plaques and outstanding performance trophies to the players.

Unfortunately, only a handful of senior New York cricket players were in attendance to support their younger peers, in an evening meant to acknowledge the accomplishments of the New York Regional Under-19 squad.

New York’s Director of Operations and one of the many individuals behind the success of the New York youths Clifford Hinds wrote a poem acknowledging the success of the 2007 squad. The poem was read by Master-of-Ceremony John Aaron, who read the well received poem in segments, forcing those in attendance to wait for the continuing stanzas after certain segments of the presentation ceremony.

The evening’s proceedings ended with dancing and was highlighted by a simultaneous showing of the 1960 tied-test match between the West Indies and Australia, at Brisbane, on the large screen displays at Naresa Palace.

Ode To The 2007 National Youth Champions
By Clifford S. Hinds

They came from all around
To the Gateway Cricket ground
From Pakistan, India and Jamaica
Barbados, Bangladesh and Guyana

Twice per week they trained very hard
The national trophy would be their reward
They improved their skills of cricket
And their stroke plays at the wicket

The coach made them understand
That the team is bigger than any man
He taught them about teamwork, discipline and reliability
Determination, commitment and punctuality

And so the selectors picked the team
Then the practices picked up steam
They won the first three games in Hartford
And emerged champions of the East
They showed that they were the best
And looked forward to Florida to face the teams from the West

For the next three months, they practiced some more
They wanted the championship for sure
All who saw them were impressed
And the manager made sure they were properly dressed

The first game in the finals, Northern California batted first
And their batsmen started with a burst
Farooq bowled ten overs straight
And had all the batsmen playing late

D'Olivera and Thomas had the Cali boys on the rail
Andy and Rusty cleaned up the tail
The Northern Cali boys did all that they could do
But were all out for one-eighty-two

Basdeo and Francis started beating the ball
But then Francis’ wicket would fall
Basdeo batted like he was in heaven
Until he retired hurt at forty seven

Dodson and Gregory continued the rout
Both won the game and came in not out
Although the entire team played super
It was not enough to impress manager Hooper

In the championship game, the L.A. group came ready
But the batting of the New York group was steady
Although a few batsmen got out playing late
New York was able to close at one-ninety-eight

The L.A boys thought that score was a breeze
But before long Farooq and Hurley had them in a freeze
Rusty and Gregory finished the fix
And Southern Cal. were all out for one-o-six

Just in case they wanted to add some more
J.P. Singh was there to keep the score
Krish, Miller and DaSilva were very much on hand
But they could not find Dixon with the van

The road to success is hard to travel
It takes discipline, sweat and commitment
It takes heart and determination
To take home the ultimate prize

So to Mendonca, Thomas, Mehta, Chris, Dodson, Kirton,
Hurley, Abdullah, Gregory, Kester, Andy, Basdeo, D’Olivera,
Farooq, Fraser, Hooper, Krish, Dixon and Hinds

Well done fellows! Let’s do it again next year.