India House Cricket Tournament

By Ravi Ozarker

HOUSTON: India House has organized more than 200 professional cricket games in the year 2016! Starting their first cricketing session a year ago with a humble 6 teams, the progressions has been phenomenal, from 6 to 8 to 12 to 16 Teams in One Year. Cricket is increasingly becoming a professional sport in Houston Area.  Not only is it a sport for Houstonians but is a way to socialize and chill after a hectic work week.

All this started back in Jan 2016 with 6 teams participating in “Houston Sunday Cricket League Tournament (HSCLT) which ended on Feb 7, 2016.  In the next tournament, ten best teams in Houston were selected to participate in the “India House Cricket Tournament” (IHCT). The India House Houston Premier League Winter 2016-17, started on October 16, would be the fourth tournament organized in this year on one of the best cricket grounds in Houston with 16 best Houston based cricket clubs participating in this professional taped ball cricket tournament. Sanjay Aggarwal, coordinator of the India House Houston Premier League Winter Tournament says that along with India House Management, he shares big dreams for the future of this ground and cricket talent in the City of Houston.

Five members General Body Group for IHCT has been constituted for decision making and dispute resolutions, the members being:  Sanjay Aggarwal (IHCC),  Vijay Ahire (RWCC) , Gopi Kishan (GCC), Sourabh Malhotra (NGCC), Ravi Ozarker (NGCC) &  Col Vipin Kumar (Executive Director, India House)

IHCT Tournament final played between Grady Thunders (formerly GCC) vs Cliff Jumpers Cricket Club (CJCC) on  May 21, 2016 turned out to be a cliff hanger. CJCC lost by 6 runs required on the last ball.  About 60 matches were organized in the IHCT.

Next tournament, “India House Cricket Club League Tournaments” (IHCCL) was played with 12 teams participating in it. The tournament saw centuries scored, innings score of 250 runs in 18 overs, hattricks and 5 wickets in an innings by a bowler. With Gopi’s help all the scores were displayed online for public viewing on India House’s state-of-art website. Final was played between Cliff Jumpers (CJCC) vs. Houston Oilers Cricket Club (HOCC) on Oct 15, 2016 with HOCC emerging as winner. Live Commentary was given by DJ Andy.  Dr. Virendra Mathur was the chief guest of the award ceremony and announced that he would like to take these competitive tournaments to the next level.  He also pointed out that winning these tournaments is going to be more and more difficult but teams and players will improve their game if they play with the best teams.  Awards were given out by Dr. Virendra Mathur, Colonel Vipin Kumar, Sanjay Aggarwal, Saurabh Malhotra, Megha Ozarker, Vijay Ahire, and Ravi Ozarker.

The General Body Meeting took place at India House Library followed by a Captain’s Meeting on Sep 15, 2016 at Shiv Sagar Restaurant in Houston.  Food was complementary from India House for all Captains and Vice-Captains.  At the Captain’s Meeting, the General Body was pleased to announce that after another debate about increasing the scope of the tournaments, a new tournament “India House Houston Premier League Winter 2016-17” (IHHPL 2016-2017) will be organized with 16 Teams!  Yes 16 Teams!  

With the help of our energetic volunteers Saurabh, Sanjay, Gopi, Vijay, Ravi, and Col.  Vipin Kumar, the tournament started on October 16, 2016 and is expected to end in March 2017.  Hats off to the dedication of all India House Management, volunteers, team captains/managers and players who made this task possible.  These games offer players and participants/families to socialize.  Sanjay Aggarwal has planned events for the next year to bring all these players together through social events and celebrations at India House.

For more information log on to www.indiahouseinc.org