TORONTO, Canada – Guyanese-owned Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) cemented their position as the leading club in the Scarborough Cricket Association when they carted off the lion’s share of the top awards at the 33rd annual presentation ceremony, held last Sunday night at Easton Banquet Hall, Scarborough, here.A delighted and proud owner Archie Mohan told Chronicle Sport he’s determined to maintain the tradition and will continue his trend of endeavouring to acquire the best available players. Among those in the ranks this year were former Guyana fast bowler, Trevon Garraway, who was the Most Valuable Player in a lop-sided final, all-rounder, Royston Crandon, and former Guyana and West Indies Under-19 batsman, Hemnarine Chattergoon.
Both Garraway and Crandon, who are back in Guyana, were unavoidably absent from Saturday night’s gala presentation. Garraway had the astonishing figures of four for six in the Premiere League final against Bawan XI, while Crandon and Chattergoon registered useful all-round performances in the preliminary round matches.
Saturday’s auspicious ceremony was graced by the presence of several dignitaries, including Member of Parliament for Scarborough/Agincourt, Jim Karygiannis, and Consul General for Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Vidhya Tota-Maharaj.
Karygiannis commended the SCA on its hosting of the event, pointing out that the SCA has had an amazing year and should be justifiably proud that its members have worked hard to receive this recognition.
“I am pleased to see the work you are doing. Canada is a country rich in culture. The contributions that you are making are strengthening the social fabric of Canada.”
Dr Tota-Maharaj, a medical doctor by profession, disclosed that she was pleased to convey greetings to executives and players of the SCA and touched briefly on the performance of the West Indies team in the just-concluded Test series versus India, expressing her desire that the results could have been better.
According to the Consul General, she was excited to see the contributions being made by the young cricketers and the full use they are making of the available facilities. She further congratulated the various recipients and urged the executives to keep up the good work.
Prominent member of the media, Kenti Khan, in brief remarks stressed on the importance of the history of the SCA, paying glowing tributes to the association’s first president, Richard Ramlall, who now serves as the Public Relations Officer. Khan urged the many cricketers present to take some time off to understand “where you come from and where you are going” and to also be supportive of the efforts of the people who run the game.
SCA president, Deo Samaroo, gave kudos to his executives for the job they have been doing and expressed sincere thanks to the several sponsors for their continued commitment over the years. Among the sponsors were: Action Honda, Speedway Motors, IR General Contracting, Primerica, Hawaiian Arctic, Platypus Sporting Goods, Powerplay Sports, Blackash Sports, Norman Sue Bakery, Caribbean Wave restaurant, Paradise Travel, Active Green and Ross, S&S Trophy and 80Print – Toronto.
HACC retained the Frank Faubert Trophy, sponsored by Shiv Persaud of Primerica for winning the Premiere Division and also copped the Speedway Motors sponsored trophy for being Conference One champions.
Highland Creek B were crowned First Division champions and received the Richard Ramlall Trophy sponsored by Paradise Travel with the runners-up being Youngstar Cricket Club.
The First Division Season Points champions Bawa XI B took the IR Construction Trophy, while the Second Division Season Points champions Islanders United claimed the Action Honda trophy.
The Norman Sue Trophy for Second Division teams also went to Islanders United with the runners-up being Scarborough/Star Cricket Club B.
Percy Cummins 20/20 champions, Bilal Cricket Club, carted off Caribbean Wave Restaurant Trophy with Victoria Park as runners-up, while the 20/20 Consolation Trophy winners were Durham United who collected the Hawaiian Arctic Heating & A/C Trophy. The runners-up were JD Cricketers Cricket Club.
Victoria Park were the Under-19 winners with SCA being the runners-up.
Several young and aspiring junior players were among the many awardees as part of the SCA’s Junior Cricket Development Programme.
They have been given the added incentive to perform since according to Ontario Cricket Association (OCA) representative, Melvin John, the association plans to send a junior team to Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago next year.

(By Frederick Halley)