Bank holiday cricket fever

Date article online: 31/08/2006

Sports For All together with their partners Sports Development, Unique Sports and sponsors Advance Technologies, ran a successful cricket tournament over the bank holiday weekend. Such was the demand, the tournament ran for three days. Teams entered from all over Greater Manchester.

Idara Allstars, a team from Milkstone and Deeplish won both the under 16’s and the adults tournaments. Idara’s Under 16’s needing ten runs in the last over and scored them comfortably to see off Sudden’s under 16’s. The over 16’s saw two closely contested semi finals. In the first one, Idara defeated Wardleworth’s Bilal Legends by a run, off the last ball. This match could have gone either way. In the other semi final, Spartak Alquba from Smallbridge, defeated Manchester’s Cheetham Hill UKIM, the pre tournament favourites.

The final also proved to be closely contested. The difference between the sides proved to be the player of the tournament Abdul Hamid. As well as collecting the winner’s medal, he received a player of the tournament award and tickets for the forthcoming international between England v Pakistan.

Asif Rafiq, Chairman of Sports For All commented: "With all the publicity cricket has received recently, we were never going to be short of teams wishing to enter. Last year five youngsters talent was spotted. They now play for North Manchester cricket teams. This year we once again witnessed several young men who should be playing for cricket clubs. This is rather than them playing cricket on the streets. Thankfully Paul Rowen MP and Numan Nayee (the coach of Rochdalians Cricket Club) were on hand to offer support. With their help we will once again ensure some of these young men continue to further develop their talent by joining cricket clubs."

Paul Rowen added: "Those who know me are aware of my genuine interest in cricket. Sport for All does a fine job in getting young men off the streets and allowing them to express their talent in these tournaments. When a young man demonstrates a talent, with my love for cricket, I am more than happy to help them reach their potential. One only needs to look at Sajad Mahmood representing England on Bank Holiday Monday against Pakistan. I would like to play a role in further developing these young men’s talent in cricket. They are certainly better than playing cricket in the back streets of Rochdale!"  

Numan Nayee supported Paul Rowen’s comments: "I have invited some of these young men to trials at my club. Having been a coach and involved in cricket for twenty years, it is wonderful for me to have organisations such as Sports For All running these tournaments. It allows coaches like myself to help young men become better cricket players, as well provide them with key skills which they can use on a day to day basis."    

Sports For All Business Consultant Mohammed Nazir added: "We are now in discussions with a view to setting up a cricket infrastructure. Having spoken to several key individuals, this project will be given serious consideration. We are for now, grateful for the support we have received from Advance Technologies, Julie Durrant and the local MP. The project once again was a huge success."