Eleven teams are competing in the ‘Spirit of Cricket Championship’ matches in the New Zealand Indians Cricket League’ Tournament 2012.
The matches, which follow the ‘Ranji Trophy’ format practiced in India, began on January 8 and will conclude with an Awards ceremony on April 1.
As well as the Championship Trophy and cash prizes for the winning and runner-up teams, awards will be presented to the ‘Fair Play Team,’ ‘Man of the Series,’ ‘Best Batsman’ and ‘Best Bowler.’
Muthtamil Sangam is organising the matches this year under the theme, ‘Youth and Community Development’ at the Auckland Domain Ground on Sundays.
Eleven teams, including AIS St Helens, Desi Warriors, Kannada Koota, Muthtamil Sangam, New Zealand Eleven, NZIOs, NZSE, New Zealand Telugu Association, Probesee, Relianz Forex, and TUF XI are participating in the Tournament, representing various communities representative of India.
The annual championship match, held over the past 12 years during summer, aims to promote the health and wellbeing of the participating migrant communities in a spirit of goodwill and friendship.
Cricket is a passionate sport adored by people of the Subcontinent and as such an effective platform for meeting friends, stress relief, and entertainment.
We are gratified by the increasing number of participants every year.
Wells Albert is a Police Constable and Ethnic People’s Community Relations Officer for Waitakere. He is the Captain of the Muthtamil Sangam Cricket team and an organiser of the New Zealand Indian Cricket League Tournament 2012, along with Sebastian Lourdusamy and Bala Murali. He is seen in this file photo receiving the 2010 Trophy on behalf of Muthtamil Sangam from Stanley Herbert, an active member of the Christian community.
