… Two women elected on executive committee

By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada — History was created when the Ontario Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) held its Annual General Meeting last Saturday at the Scarborough Civic Centre here. For the first time in its 19-year history, the entity has two stalwart women among its seven-member executive committee.

Shanta Persaud and Indira Singh, long-standing supporters of the OMSCC were elected secretary and web content administrator respectively, joining Azeem Khan who was retained as president, new vice-president Feizal Bacchus, former secretary Khem Singh who takes over as treasurer, Over-50 coordinator Paul Jaman and umpire coordinator Dickey Singh. Bacchus, who served previously as treasurer, continues as the webmaster.
In their acceptance remarks, both Shanta Persaud and Indira Singh pledged to play key roles in the furtherance of the OMSCC.

Reflecting on the 2017 season, president Azeem Khan referred to the many challenges faced by the body but acknowledged that it was still a very good one. “For sure, we had a few challenges but when you think about the positives, they obviously outweighed the negatives.”

Among the challenges, Khan said, were complaints about pelting, umpiring, disciplinary matters, permit infractions, shortage of volunteers and sponsors, and the level of appreciation shown to the board members for their voluntary work, time and efforts.

Khan listed some of the highlights as having a new website which he pointed out is running smoothly, alluding to the fact that numerous data and statistics are being captured in a very timely manner. “The new website is being operated on a cost recovery, based on advertisements and we’ve become more cashless with the use of e-transfers.”

The long-standing OMSCC executive member also boasted about the success of Toronto Cup 2 while pointing out there was still room for improvement. “Testament to a good showing came primarily from the United States and Guyana who have expressed an interest in our hosting of the tournament every year.”

Khan urged officials and players to work with the board, to make constructive suggestions which are in the best interest of the league and not just their individual teams and to make a real effort this year in giving some of their personal time to strive for improvement of the league.

The incumbent president further pledged to work with players, team management, umpires, sponsors, parks and school boards officials, international tournament organisers and his board members to continue to enhance the image and the integrity of the OMSCC.

Khan also showered praise on the several sponsors, his fellow executive members and the volunteers who assisted over the last year. The 2018 OMSCC season is set to kick off on Saturday, May 26, with the Over-50s going into action while the Over-40s square off the following day.