New York Juniors To Be Honored At Dinner/Dance

By Orin Davidson
One brilliant feat deserves its requisite rewards.

And that is what's in store for the high achieving New York junior cricket team which will eventually be bestowed with honors this coming Friday (December 7).

Akeem Dodson Gregory Sewdial

For the first time a special awards function will be staged specifically for junior players when the New York junior committee honors its outstanding players, including the dynamic squad which won the United States Under-19 title this year.

And just as significantly, the outstanding performers from the Tri State Under-19 competition will also get their just due at the dinner and dance function, to be staged at Naresa Place hall at 116-14 Rockaway Blvd in Queens.

The function became a reality primarily due to the disappointment felt by the NY Under-19 squad at not benefiting from tangible awards for winning the fourth United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) staged competition held in Florida in October.

It will also be used to raise much needed money for New York junior teams in the future.

Trophies will be given to each member of the NY Under-19 squad in addition to the top individual performers in this year's nationals. New York regained the title by playing unbeaten throughout the series. They first qualified for the four-team finals by winning the Eastern Conference title before going on to regain the national crown by outplaying Northern California and Southern California.

Sixteen year-old all-rounder Gregory Sewdial emerged as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) while excellent contributions from Alex Kirton and Akeem Dodson among others also helped pilot New York to glory.

For the Tri State series which served as the ideal preparation for the national series, the most outstanding player for each of the five participating teams, will receive prizes. There will also be individual awards for the overall top performers.
Also two officials who helped run the Tri State series and coordinate the junior program will be recognized.

Five players - Dodson, Kirton, Kester Grant, Basdeo Ramnarine, Umar Farrouq and Francis Mendonca, from the NY under-19 team who will be graduating from the junior ranks, will also specially honored,

The sponsors will not be left out as they too will be honored for supporting the program. Tota's Bakery, Sybil's Bakery, Central Truck Sales and Services, Rockaway Car Service, Singh's Sports Goods Store, Dennis Shipping and John Ragano comprise the list.

Special mention is in store for Two A's Electronics.

A donation of $20 will be accepted for the dinner and dance and tickets can be had from Linden Fraser (tel # 646-235-3243); Lester Hooper (347-538-2696); JP Singh (718-309-3682) or Kris Prashad ( 516-241-1138).

The action will start at 8pm and ends 2pm.
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