Friends of CRY Club, Kuwait (FOCC) organized the annual cricket tournament for children, the “ABK CRYcket 2019” on 17th Jan 2020, at the Kuwait Oil Company, Ahmadi Park grounds. Our sincere thanks to KOC for providing the facilities.

Two years in a row, the tournament had to be postponed due to circumstances beyond control. Fortunately, on the day of the tournament this year, it turned out to be a brilliant day, with a perfect combination of cold and sunshine.

“CRYcket” is an annual softball cricket tournament, played in 7 overs match format, for children in two age groups of under 12 (Juniors) & under 14 (Seniors). The tournament is open to independent teams, and completed in a single day, with two matches being played simultaneously.

This year FOCC turned 21, and we had 21 team registrations. The Junior group had 12 teams and followed the standard process of league matches, followed by knockout semis and finals. Whereas the 9 teams in the Senior group, were placed in 3 league groups. The winner of the tournament was decided through the Super League played among the three teams qualifying from the league stage. We also had 4 girl players participating in various teams. A big thank you to all the players, team managers, coaches and the parents. We also highly appreciate the umpires and scorers, who are supporting us, year after year. Through Ms. Surita Venter, CRYcket had another first, a lady among the umpires.

Mr. Balwant Bains, Chief Auditor from ABK graced the occasion as chief guest, accompanied by his colleague Mr. Sebastian Dais, Executive Manager. Mr. Balwant praised the efforts of FOCC and gave his best wishes for continued success in future event.

In the U-14 (Senior) category, the “Sakthy’s Cricket Academy-City Clinic”, “MG Warriors Blue and Dashing Knights” qualified for the Super League.The “Sakthy’s Cricket Academy-City Clinic” won over both super league opponents and clinched the winners’ trophy. “MG Warriors Blue” beat “Dashing Knights” in the Super League and became claimant of the runner-up place. The best player award was claimed by Armaan Ilyaas of Dashing Knights, by scoring 31 runs and taking 8 wickets with an economy of 6.5 runs per over.

In the U-12 Junior category, the “Dashing Knights-Panthers”, “Cricket Park-GAC”, “CCC” and MG Warriors Blue” reached the knockout semifinal stage. “Dashing Knights-Panthers” took the winner’s trophy after the finals, by defeating “Cricket Park-GAC”, who came in second place. And Vyom Mehta of Dashing Knights-Panthers took the best player trophy, by scoring 76 runs and taking 3 wickets at an economy of 8 runs per over.

Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) continued their event sponsorship for the “ABK CRYcket 2018”, as also Gold sponsorship from the Talal & Lulwa Alajeel Education Fund and Bronze sponsorship from by our print partner German Printing Press. Our other sponsors were Al-Mailem Tyres, Al-Saffar Intl. Gen. Trading & Con. Co., Al-Soor Clinic, Amma Kuwait, Career Hunters, Curry Leaves Restaurant, Dana Optics, Dar Al-Saha Poly Clinic, German Printing Press, Hussain & Qaisar Int Co Ltd, ITL World Travel, Payal Jewellers, Pizza Inn and Well Wishers. Our sincere thanks to all the sponsors and Arab Times, Kuwait Times, Times Kuwait, and Indians in Kuwait.com for giving us wide publicity.

As always, we had CRYbuddies, who are young children dedicating their valuable time for FOCC. Kiara Reaven, Qaisarali Merchant, Ali Asgar Stationwala, Taha Rangwala, Tasneem Patanwala and Insiya Patanwala, the CRYbuddies took charge of the KID’S CORNER and raffle tickets sales. The Raffle draw offered 20 prizes to be won, and was a huge success. Amma Kuwait Kitchen provided delicious meals and hot beverages in the cold weather.

In the U-12 category, 664 Freshers, 664 Hitters, CCC, Cricket Park-Gulf, Dashing Knights-Bulls, Dashing Knights-Giants, Dashing Knights-Panthers, GIS, MG Warriors-Blue, MG Warriors-Red, SCA-City Clinic and Rising Stars entered the league stage.

In the U-14 category, teams at the league stage were : Cricket Park, Dashing Knights, Fresh Starz, GIS, MG Warriors Blue, Rising Stars, Rising Super Stars, Salmiya Riders and SCA -City Clinic.

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. As we say, with CRY, everybody wins.