Star Cubs roar in Samashti Cricket League

It had all the makings of a spectacular cricketing extravaganza and so it proved to be. It was the ‘experience of a lifetime’ not just for the toddlers who took to the field but to everyone associated with the conduct of the Limca Record Book-bound championship.

Placings: 1. Star Cubs (Delhi Public School), 2. Samurai Cubs (Samashti International School), 3. Jewel Cubs (Mount Litera Zee School), 4. VeeGee Cubs (Villa Greens Gated Community).

Taken under any yardstick, the inaugural edition of Samashti Cricket Cubs League-2015 was a huge success both for the meticulous planning and execution under the joint auspices of Samashti International School and SportsPro, and also for bubbling enthusiasm and serious stuff the four to six year-old-old boys and girls dished out on the field.

It was a professionalism that had an overwhelming aura of innocence and yet presented a serious side that was bent on scoring over the opponent. The three-day spectacle will be cherished by all those who were fortunate to be present at the Kollur campus of Samashti International School.

This was a sports variety that had everyone rooted to the ground. In a significant shift from the routine matches one gets to watch in the stadiums, here the ‘spectators’ comprising of administrators, parents and grandparents were on their feet for most of the 12-over match duration.

The semifinals and finals that were held on a pleasant Sunday morning had all the bearings of a typical cricket thriller. If anything the final was an anti-climax as the eventual titlist Star Cubs (Delhi Public School) simply steamrolled past the host Samurai Cubs while posting a comprehensive 38-run win.

Dean Gilchrist was articulate when he spelt the reasons for conceptualizing the unique format. ‘I wished to usher in a sense of gender equality and show that women were not lagging behind in any sphere. My own sister has proved that back in Australia.

As you can see the girls who played here have been as adept as the boys and equally agile. I wish this spirit develops.’ Managing Director of the school and the brain behind the concept, Swetha said she was so inspired at the response and quality of play that she was already contemplating to make it a 32-team affair in the second edition. ‘It was awesome and simply outstanding.

There was seriousness even in the fun and frolic.’ The sponsors were represented by Madhavi (Managing Director of Triumph), Dr Raghunath Reddy from Continental Hospitals, AAV Ranga Raju (Managing Director, NCC and Prasad (CFBT),w ho all seemed to enjoy every bit of the cricket that was paraded by the future hopefuls.

The Samashti Cricket League has entered the record books as being the country’s first in this genre. One is sure that this pioneering effort will give birth to several such events in the days ahead.

By Sridhar K Penna