TORONTO, Canada – President of the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket League (OMSCL) Jai Singh is upbeat that the mini three-day World Cup softball extravaganza, set for the Labour Day September weekend here, will be a resounding success.Speaking at last Sunday’s annual general meeting, held at the Birkdale Community Centre in Scarborough here, an ebullient Singh disclosed that six teams have already indicated an interest in participating and these include two each from Guyana, Florida and New York.

According to Singh, the OMSCL is aiming to attract 14 teams to the three-day event and teams are reminded to contact the entity early as it’s likely those numbers will be exceeded.
The OMSCL is currently in discussion with the University of Toronto for the use of its facilities for the final of the tournament and these talks have been very favourable. The preliminary games on the opening and second days, will be played at other venues.
The tournament will be played along similar lines of the Guyana Softball Cup, featuring Open and Masters categories and according to vice-president Azeem Khan, the established rule/practice used in Guyana and the United States will be followed, whereby the qualifying age for the Masters teams will be 45, allowing for one or two players under the specified age limit.
The OMSCL had earlier disclosed that the tournament will be conducted with the traditional white balls used in Guyana and New York, and towards this end will be introducing the said balls at its annual Inter-county competition. It is also planning an eight-team knockout tournament featuring the top teams in its senior division.
Both Singh and Khan pointed out that no criteria have been set to date for the selection of the OMSCL squad. However, players will be called to trials based on their performances from both the senior and junior divisions.
Describing the 2014 season as very successful, Singh opined that he’s confident this year’s would even surpass that. “The support of the board members was incredible and I am looking forward to the same with the new executives. We have more competitions this year and I think it will be very exciting.”
Singh also thanked the various sponsors for their generous support and is hoping for their continued assistance more so in the staging of the international tournament.
Touching on the sore point of indiscipline among some teams, Khan reminded those present that they are responsible for the behaviour of their players and as such they should address the situation prior to the start of the 2015 season.
Also present at Sunday’s meeting was Toronto Parks and Recreation General Supervisor, Parks Operation and Technical Services, Jim McKay, who stressed the importance of safety at the various venues.
McKay, whose presence at the meeting was the first by an official of the body for several years, praised the work of the OMSCL and many seemed surprised when he pointed out that “cricket was the least of his worries” at the venues that are being used by the body.
McKay, however, cautioned that the OMSCL should ensure that it is in receipt of proper permits for the staging of all of its activities and also promised to provide portable washrooms as this was another sore point that was brought to his attention. He also called on the players to leave the venues in proper state at the conclusion of games and to be considerate for those who have to use them after.
Singh, whose position was not up for grabs, continues as the OMSCL president while Khan who served as vice-president and also acted as secretary following the resignation of the incumbent, was re-elected in the former post.
The new secretary is Paul Jaman while ‘Siewnarine ‘Dickie” Singh takes over as treasurer, replacing Ron Singh who did not seek re-election. Singh is, however, the new statistician, replacing Ed Pestano. Suresh Bodhoo remains the Umpires co-ordinator.
The disciplinary committee comprises Terry Mathura, Fazal Shakoor, and Sam Chaitram.
Meanwhile the OMSCL will be represented at this weekend’s 2015 Florida Mini World Cup softball tournament commencing on Friday at the Brian Picallo Park, Cooper City. Teams are expected from Guyana, New York, Miami, Florida and Orlando.
The full squad reads: Shiv Seeram (captain), Terry Mathura, Azeem Khan, Jesh Parasnauth, Patrick Shivrathan, Jaimini Singh, Mohan Harihar, Fazal Shakoor, Ron Singh, Nateram Singh, Nazeer Baksh, Suresh Boodhoo and Ramcharran Singh. Khan will also serve as manager.

By Frederick Halley