Gobin, Mandolall share Player-of-the-Year awards

By Frederick Halley
TORONTO, Canada – Two former Guyana Under-19 players, Troy Gobin and Rovendra Mandolall were the main toasts of the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) last Saturday night when the organisation held its glittering 16th annual presentation, dinner and dance at the Estate Banquet Hall, Scarborough here.
Both Gobin, of Our Own Sports Club, and Mandolall who represented Hustlers Sports Club, were voted joint Division One Player- of-the-Year following their brilliant all-round performances in the recently-concluded 2016 season.

Gaining the nod in Division Two was Ganesh Ramraj while former Guyana players Shivnauth Seeram and Ivan Narain shared the honours in the Over-50 division.
Significantly, it marked the second consecutive year for Gobin who copped the MVP in both the inaugural Toronto Cup Masters category and the First Division final last season, resulting in his being named Player-of-the-Year, which was introduced for the first time in 2015.
His sterling contributions with both bat and ball allowed Our Own to top the standings although they failed to make it five championships in a row, bowing out to eventual winners Guyana Sports Club (GSC) in their semi-final encounter.
Competing in nine matches, Gobin led the way with 409 runs, including a highest score of 118, averaging 102.25 and also claimed nine wickets at 8.89 runs each. Mandolall, on the other hand, ended the season with 282 runs with 63 being his top score and also tied for the most wickets (13) with Our Own skipper Mahendranauth ‘Bobby’ Parasnauth.
Parasnauth was once again the Most Economical bowler in Division One – a title he held for the last four years, his 13 scalps claimed at a phenomenal 2.98 runs each.
It was also a memorable year for Ramraj, whose 553 runs for Friendship in Division Two was by far the highest by any player in the league and included three centuries, 151 being the highest. He also chipped in with 10 wickets to crown a fine all-round season.
In the Over-50 Division, Seeram (Skeldon) topped the batting with 283, slamming 116 on the way while Narain (Jaguars) tallied 179 and took six wickets at 7.46 runs each.
Among the other outstanding performers were Matbar Singh (Caribbean Sensation 1) who averaged an unbelievable 242 in the Over-50 Division, Nitarm Dass (Double Impact) who took the most wickets in the same division, Feroze Mohamed (Friendship) most wickets in Division Two, Lall ‘Dingo’ Singh (Skeldon best bowling average in Over-50 and Deonarine Sukhoo (Royals) best bowling average in Division Two.
The season also saw Guyana Sports Club capture the Division One crown, defeating debutants Hustlers Sports Club in the final after earlier dethroning nemesis and four-time consecutive winners Our Own Sports Club in the semi-final.
There were also new winners in Division Two with top seed Royals securing a narrow victory over Miracles while Dirty Dozen also won a thriller from favourites Skeldon in the Over-50 category.
In brief remarks, OMSCC president Azeem Karamat Khan described 2015 as another fantastic year for Masters cricket, pointing out that the level of cricket had improved tremendously.
Khan, however, admitted that there were still challenges to overcome, “with the main one being compliance with parks and permit rules. We are asking every cricketer and spectator that from next year, a complaint from the parks or school board will be a thing of the past.”
A notable achievement, Khan pointed out, was the establishment of a Care Fund which caters to emergency needs of players, their families and needy organisations towards which players contribute. Ardent supporter and associate of the OMSCC, Shanta Jaman made an on-the-spot pledge of $100 per month for the rest of the year and the entire 2017.
Khan also disclosed that the OMSCC is gearing to participate in next month’s sixth Guyana Softball Cup and will also be hosting the second edition of the Toronto Cup, featuring teams from North America and Guyana, during Caribana weekend next year.
Special commendations were reserved for the sponsors Paul Party Rentals. Alana Chung, Shanta Juman, Harri Sukhu, Errol Hussein, Teddy Hussain, Kim Sue, Nirad Lall, Roger Sunich, Raymond Seecharran and Naseer Baksh.
Appreciation medals were presented to Guyana Chronicle’s Frederick Halley, Shanta Jaman, Naseer Baksh, Kim Sue, Krishna Sarju, Banda Jirjodhan and photographers Bobby Ramlagan and Krisho Singh Ramnarayan.