By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada – President of the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Azeem Karamat Khan has described 2017 as another fantastic year for Masters cricket, pointing out that the players had brought the league to a well-organised body in Toronto. “Our league now has a prominent position on the international scene to a point where our foreign leagues are now looking to us to be more engaged in framing future tournaments.”
Khan made the disclosure at last Saturday night’s 17th annual presentation, dinner and dance held at the exotic Estate Banquet Hall, Scarborough here.

Khan informed that the Masters team had performed creditably in the seventh Guyana Softball Cup where teams from the host country and the USA had spoken highly of the OMSCC and also gave due appreciation and recognition to the 2017 Toronto Cup 2 tournament.

Pointing out that the continued success of the league depends on sponsors, Khan reserved special commendations for those who have contributed over the years. Kudos were also extended to Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) for a great tournament a few weeks back and for the hospitality extended by Rickey Deonarine and Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall.

Khan also felt that the level of cricket during the 2017 season had improved tremendously, alluding to the excitement generated in the semi-finals and finals. “For us, all 26 teams are winners as you are the ones that keep the league going and helping it to earn the name as one of the best in Canada.

Appreciation plaques were presented to Guyana Chronicle’s Frederick Halley for “Promoting softball cricket to unprecedented heights in Ontario through ethical and unbiased reporting on social media and in the Guyana Chronicle”.

OMSCC treasurer Feizal Bacchus also received for his role in establishing the league’s new website as well as Naseer Baksh for being the vanguard behind the participation of Masters teams in tournaments in New York, Florida and Guyana. businessman Nirad Lall for his continued financial support; Deonauth ‘Banda’ Jirjodhan and Prakash ‘Pandit’ Singh for their roles in maintaining the playing fields and other ancillary assistance at St Bede’s ground.

Medallions were also handed out to those who volunteered in the second edition of the Toronto Cup held during the Caribana weekend in August.
Ed Pestano of Skeldon and Raymond Seecharran (Seatown) were the recipients of the Norman Sue Spirit Award which is given annually to worthy individuals who have played big roles both on and off the field.

The late businessman’s daughter Kim made the presentation. She advised that Pestano’s award was for this year while Seecharran’s was for 2016.