First National Level Youth Cricket Tournament Hosted in Houston
HOUSTON: In the game of Rain v/s Cricket, Cricket eventually won as the rain could only dampen the fields but not the enthusiasm with which more than 250 young cricketers (24 teams) from all over the country gathered in Houston for National Youth Cricket League’s tournament. Following a wet opening ceremony at Paul Rushing Park in North Katy on Friday, May 27. The tournament caught up with all the games by the time prizes were handed out on a humid but sunny afternoon on Memorial Day.
After a total of 44 games, Houston’s own Triggers Colts Cricket League (TCCL) Cobras were champions in the 10U age group, East Bay Youth Cricket Association (EYCA) won the 14U age group while Texas Cricket Academy (TCA) won the 18U championships.
Cricket Academy USA (CAUSA), TCCL Houston and Southern California Cricket Association (SCCA) were the runners up in U10, U14 & U18 respectively. Individual Awards were given to the following outstanding cricketers: U10, MVP Ishaan Roy (CAUSA, Atlanta), Best Batsman Arya Kannatha (TCCL, Houston), Best Bowler Rishabh Shimpi (DYCL Dallas). U14, MVP Ahan Bhakare (TCCL, Houston), Best Batsman Joshua Kind (MYCA Missouri), Best Bowler Dev Thadani (EYCA California). U18, Best Batsman Kishan Das (TCA Dallas), Best Bowler Karthik Lappathi (TCA Dallas). Its worth mentioning that this year, there was a significant increase in the number of girls participating with as many as 5 girls on 1 team. The National Youth Cricket League (NYCL) is supported by generous sponsors like New Inning Foundation, SG Cricket, Bedessee Sporting Goods and Dream Cricket.
Playing for the first time in a national tournament of such kind, the 10U TCCL Cobras created an upset of all sorts by winning on their debut. Full credit to Coaches Prashant Manne, Krishna Sikharam, Kiran Kantheti and Adarsh Srikanthan for working hard with the young cricketers and guiding them to victory. The 14U TCCL team, also in their debut tournament came close to the championship. Ably coached by former USA captain Sushil Nadkarni, this team won all their league games including two back to back games in scorching heat on Sunday May 29, and completing a previously rained out game on the same day. They went down fighting against the formidable EYCA team from California.
This was the first event of its kind ever hosted in Houston. Surya Saladi, Nanda Kumar & Krishna Sikharam of TCCL pulled off this herculean task of hosting over 24 teams playing 4 T20 matches each in a short span of 4 days. The tournament was sponsored by Sunoco LP and supported by Houston Cricket League (HCL). TCCL’s program for youth cricket is thankful for generous contribution from Judge Ed Emmett and Ms. Jesal Patel amongst other sponsors. TCCL conducts leagues for kids under the age of 14 years in leather ball & tape ball categories from various clubs around the Houston area, namely Katy Youth Cricket (KYC), Energy Corridor Cricket (ECC), North West Cricket Club (NWCC) and Sugar Land Youth Cricket Club (SLYCC).
Youth Cricket Houston has gained tremendous momentum in the last few years. Beginning with tape ball cricket in late 2013, all clubs now offer coaching in leather ball as well as tape ball. The first ever leather ball league started in March 2016 and runs every weekend till July in two age groups – U11 & U14. Each team plays 9 games in the spring / summer session. TCCL has more tournaments planned for kids all year around. TCCL encourages boys & girls of all ages to take up this sport.
Please visit www.triggerscolts.org for more information on a cricket club near you.