Junior Players Set To Shine In Sundar Memorial Game

By Orin Davidson
Sept. 24th, 2008
The best of New York’s young cricketers will match skills in honor of a son of Port Mourant in the annual Harry Sundar Memorial cricket match set for Saturday at Bailsey Pond Park.

Gregory Sewdial Dominic Gomes

Akeem Dodson, Andre Kirton and Gregory Sewdial, three Guyanese who have made a name for themselves in New York’s junior ranks will headline the Twenty20 junior game to feature the New York Invitational XI taking on a New York All Star team, comprising a number of players who played in the inaugural Public Schools Athletics League (PSAL) competition in the city.

Along with Dodson and Kirton, who were part of the first United States team to compete in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka two years ago, Andy Mohamed Saud Hossein, also Guyanese will be in action.

The Sundar Memorial game is the longest running cricket fixture in the New York with this year being its 16th staging. Guyana versus Rest of the Caribbean was the feature game in the past.
It attracted a number of West Indies players including current world number one ranked batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Alvin Kallicharran, Everton Mattis, Inshan Ali, Dinanath Ramnarine and Clayton Lambert.

The game is organized by the Sundar family of Port Mourant and chief organizer Ray Sundar said the focus now is on junior players to support the development of youth cricket in New York.

With cricket being deemed the fastest growing sport in the Big Apple, the immigrant population especially South East Asians are contributing in a big way. As a result Indians, Bangladeshi and Pakistani players dominate the PSAL All Stars.
Dominic Gomes, a hard hitting Sri Lanka-born batsman will spearhead the lineup.

At stake will be the Harry Sundar Trophy, cash prizes and cricket gear for the winning team, Most Valuable Player (MVP), Best Batsman and Best Bowler. Also every player on each team will be presented with gear.

A supporting game, also over 20 overs to feature an Under-17 clash between New York and Connecticut for the Legends of Port Mourant Trophy, will preceded the feature clash. Bedessee Sporting Goods of Brooklyn will provide most of the gear.

The action will start at 11 am with the supporting game.
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