Friends of CRY Club, Kuwait (FOCC) celebrated their 20th Anniversary of conducting school cricket tournament in Kuwait on January 18, 2019 at the lush green Kuwait Oil Company stadium, Al Ahmadi. In fact, the FOCC organized tournament is very the first of its kind to promote grass root level cricket in Kuwait providing school children an opportunity to play competitive and organized level cricket. Having established in 1998, FOCC successfully hosted the “ABK CRYcket” tournament which was sponsored by Ahli Bank of Kuwait.
As seen last year, the venue was perfect to launch the much awaited tourney as the facility had all the required ameneties and amphience to conduct a tournament. The weather though, was quite chilly – especially in the morning session but otherwise the entire day was brilliant and the enthusiasm of the participants, parents and friends, so high.
“CRYcket” is an annual softball cricket tournament, played in 7-over match format, for children in two age groups of under 12 (U-12) & under 14 (U-14). The tournament is open to Schools, Clubs and independent teams and is completed in a single day, with two matches being played simultaneously.
This year, the “Dashing Knights” clinched the winners’ trophy in the U-14 category for the second successive year and MG 7 Warriors were the Runners Up. The winner’s trophy in the Under-12 was clinched by MG 7 Warriors and Runners Up was CCC. The best player awards were claimed by Anirudh S of Dashing Knights in the U 14 Category & Aryan Siju of MG 7 Warriors in the U 12 category.
Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) continued their event sponsorship for the “ABK CRYcket 2018” for the third successive year and FOC would like to extend their gratitude to ABK Management for their support. FOCC extends its thanks to the continued Gold sponsorship from the Talal & Lulwa Alajeel Education Fund and Bronze sponsorship from German Printing Press. Our thanks to other sponsors Hussein & Qaisar Int. Co., Al-Soor Clinic, Al-Mailem Tires, Career Hunters, Dar Al-Saha Poly Clinic, Payal Jewelers, Curry Leaves Restaurant, KAPICO Travels, ITL World Travel Mgt., Aman Exchange, Wilhelmsen Ships Service, Pizza Inn and Well Wishers.
Our thanks to Arab Times, Kuwait Times, Times Kuwait, and Indians in Kuwait.com for giving us wide publicity.
We had new CRY buddies who joined us this year. The KID’S CORNER, raffle tickets sale, BUY for CRY was under their charge. As usual toys, books and many household items were available at amazing bargain prices. The Raffle draw was as usual a huge success and featured 13 prizes to be won.
This year we had a record registration of 23 teams, out of the 24 available slots. A big thank you to all the Players, Team Managers, Coaches and the Parents. Most importantly, we highly appreciate the umpires and scorers, our unseen strength, year after year.
In the U-12 category teams at the league stage were:
CCC, MG Warriors, Dashing Knights, Winning XI, MG Tigers, SCA American Tourister, RCA Strikers, Rising Superstars, 22 Yards Cricket Academy, 664 Hitters, RCA Warriors and Salmiya Riders.
In the U-14 category, teams at the league stage were:
CCC, Fresh Starz, Magnificient XI, Dashing Knights, SCA American Tourister, 664 Hitters, RCA, Rising Stars, 22 Yards Cricket Academy, IPS Stars, MG U14
FOCC is proud to be partners with CRY – in our joint mission to help the underprivileged children. Those interested in joining hands with FOCC may please visit www.focckuwait.org, or contact any of the volunteers. With CRY, everybody wins.