By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada — Buoyed by the success of Toronto Cup 1, staged here in October 2015, the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Club (OMSCC) has set its sights on the second edition in the latter part of 2017.During his report at the league’s Annual General Meeting, held at the Birkdale Community Centre, Scarborough last weekend, outgoing president Jai Singh disclosed that Toronto Cup 1, which saw teams from Guyana and New York join their Canadian counterparts, was a resounding success both financially and in terms of organisation.
Singh, however, ruled out the possibility of the tournament being staged in 2016, a decision that was agreed upon by the executives, based on the number of competitions being staged in Guyana, New York and Florida and the feasibility of hosting it here on an annual basis.
The OMSCC will, however, be making strenuous efforts to participate in Guyana Softball Cup V1 in early November and will be setting up a special fund in order to subsidise participation in upcoming international tournaments and also in New York and Florida.
Singh was full of praise for all those who were instrumental in the successful staging of the three-day competition last October, including the sponsors, organising committee and volunteers among others. Chairman of the organising committee Azeem Karamat Khan and Umpires Coordinator Suresh Bodhoo came in for special mention for their roles,
Singh, who served in the dual capacities as president and treasurer in the last administration and also in various executive positions over the past nine years, told those present at the meeting that he is extremely proud of his achievements but felt that time was opportune for him to step down but will continue to be an active softball player.
The outgoing president also boasted that the OMSCC, through prudent fiscal management, currently has the largest bank balance in the history of the league and according to him, “if we didn’t stage the Toronto Cup, the sponsors would have lost confidence in us”.
Singh urged the incoming executives to continue to abide and respect the league’s constitution at all times. “I have given it my all and I believe the best days of the league are still ahead …” Singh affirmed.
High on the priority of the new administration is the establishment of a Care Fund and, according to new president Khan, this fund is being established to provide assistance for cricketers and their families, both in Canada and Guyana, in times of dire financial needs.
Khan said teams will be required to contribute $30 (Canadian) initially, while individual contributions are also welcome but cheque payments will be the preferred manner of making contributions.
The OMSCC will also be paying special emphasis on a Health & Wellness programme which it hopes to be ongoing. Towards this end Dr Rudy Singh and his colleagues from Vitality Physical Medicine were on hand for a presentation which the league hopes will benefit both the cricketers and their families. Khan expressed sincere thanks to Dr Singh and the other physicians who were present.
Khan pointed out that the presentation was well received with the main theme being “We should be fit to play the game and not play the game to get fit”.
Members of the league are set to pay a visit to Vitality Health Professionals on May 1 for an open tour and further demonstrations.
Meanwhile, clubs within the OMSCC were given a big reprieve for the 2016 season which is scheduled to get underway in the latter part of May following the reduction of the entrance fee from $750 to $500. This decision will, however, be reviewed at the end of the season.
Apart from Khan, the other executive members are former secretary Paul Jaman who is now vice-president, Khem Singh (secretary), Ganesh Ramraj (treasurer), Ramnarine Prashad (Umpires Coordinator), Ed Pestano (Over-50 Coordinator) and Ron Singh (Registrar). The disciplinary committee members are: Sam Chaitnarine, Terry Mathura and Fazal Shakoor.