The 3rd annual IDRF 'Cricket for a Cause' tournament concluded successfully at Mitre fields in Burlington, MA on July 20th. Defending champions UNH (University of New Hampshire) took the honors for the second time by comprehensively beating LBCC (Lord Baron Cricket Club). A record 82 teams participated in this six-a-side tournament played with tennis cricket balls, helping IDRF's Boston chapter raise about $10,000. For the first time in 3 years, the games were played at multiple venues - Burlington and Wrentham in Massachusetts and Nashua, New Hampshire, simultaneously.

IDRF is sending the net proceeds of $9,000 from this event to two NGOs in India: Bhatke Vimukta Vikas Pratisthan in Solapur, Maharashtra, to set up a vocational training institute aiming to develop self-employment skills of people of nomadic tribes and Vanavasi Ashram Trust in Wayanad, Kerala to support boarding, lodging, and educational expenses of tribal children.

IDRF volunteers raised funds by selling food and drinks during the tournament and decided to extend the sum of $1,000 as a small gift to UMass student Saurabh Bhalerao who was brutally assaulted in a hate crime incident in New Bedford on June 22nd. Saurabh who is still recovering from the stab injuries, was present during the awards ceremony and thanked IDRF volunteers and participants for the gesture.

The tournament was sponsored by TiE-Boston, a leading not-for-profit network of entrepreneurs and professionals, Leader Bank, a premier financial services organization, myMandi.com which caters to cricket lovers' needs and Masalaa restaurant treating Bostonites to sumptuous Indian vegetarian food.

Each team paid an entrance fee of $90 towards this unique fund-raiser. Players and spectators appreciated IDRF volunteers' commitment to the cause of helping the needy in India, and they were all praise for organizers for carrying out with perfection such a grand event.

An estimated 550 players participated in what could be one of the biggest sporting events organized by any Indian organization in USA. As per the organizers' estimates, close to 1500 players and their supporters witnessed the games played over two weekends. Enthusiastic participation from youngsters all over New England region, clearly showed that they identified with IDRF's mission of helping the poor while enjoying cricket the old-fashioned way. All matches were played in a great fun environment while maintaining the competitive edge.

As many as 25 student teams from various area universities - University of Massachusetts campuses, Bentley, Tufts, Northeastern, Boston College, WPI, University of New Hampshire, participated in this year's tournament. There were a couple of teams comprising entirely of high school students. Enthusiastic participation from teams from as far as Hartford, Connecticut and some players traveling from New York, Philadelphia are indicators of the popularity of this event.

Gifts worth more than $1,000 in the form of dinner coupons by Masalaa restaurant and cricket bats by myMandi.com, trophies and certificates of achievement were given to the winning team and outstanding performers.

The semifinals and the finals were played on July 20th. While LBCC, riding on an unbeaten 33 from Abhijeet Lele defeated VPS, UNH overcame Nashua Nukes' challenge to enter the finals. The keenly watched final between UNH and LBCC was dominated by UNH for the most part, thanks to brilliant all-round performance by team captain Raj Gorla and excellent bowling by Jimmy Thomas.

The finals were followed by the prize distribution ceremony. TiE Boston chapter president Gautam Prakash, TiE Boston Director of Operations Geetha Ramamurthy and Masalaa restaurant owner Balaji graced the occasion as the guests of honor.

UNH captain Raj Gorla was awarded the 'Man of the Finals' as well as the 'Best Batsman of the Tournament' award. Abhjieet Lele and Arun Kudur of LBCC were given 'Man of the tournament' and 'Best Bowler' award, respectively. Nikhil Wadhva and Parag Shastri bagged the outstanding performance awards. Additionally, special awards were given to 12 players for their excellent performances in the tournament.

Earlier, the tournament started on July 12th with a bang. The first ball of the tournament was hit for a six, but team 'LBCC' recovered from the blow to overcome challenge posed by 'Waltham Sixers'. Saravanan of 'Little H Heros' hit the first half-century of the tournament. He scored an unbeaten 69 to help his team beat team 'Sybase' a comfortable margin.

Picturesque grounds at Wrentham Development Center, witnessed plenty of high-scoring games on Sunday, July 13th. Sanchit Joshi of WPI hit two back-to-back half centuries but failed to carry his team into quarterfinals. 'UMD bouncers' with the help of heroic efforts with the bat from Vishal and Kunal, successfully chased a score of 95 runs in stipulated 7 overs, to beat WPI.

IDRF had sent proceeds from the tournaments held in 2001 and 2002, to Vanavasi Ashram Trust, Wayanad, Kerala and Ekalavya Ashram, Adilabad, Andhra Pradesh, the NGOs working for holistic development of tribal children.

For more information, please visit IDRF at http://www.idrf.org. 4-1 Old Colony Lane, Arlington, MA 02474. Tel. 781-641-1593.

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