Once a World Cup is over, you have to wait another 4 years to get to see the next one, right? Wrong! Not in Dublin, anyway. With the Mini World Cup, an initiative by Volcano Sports Club, Unitas ISAC, and WISAC, in partnership with Sports Against Racism Ireland (SARI), a cricket world cup in an annual event.
In a country where cricket is gaining more and more prominence day by day, it wasn’t surprising to see many teams descend upon the Railway Union Cricket Club grounds on Saturday, 21st April to take part in the Mini World Cup. And it wasn’t an event limited to just the men, but was a day for the whole family to have fun.
There were separate cricket matches and KhoKho (a traditional Indian game) for the women. Prasuna Jonnalgadda exhibited her art work, and Dharmendra Bollywood Dance School and Kalaasankhya School of Bharatanatyam held bollywood dance and Bharatanatyam (South Indian classical dance) dance workshops respectively for the kids.
There was also a raffle draw with prizes ranging from a complete cricket set and guitar to cinema vouchers. A variety of snacks stalls made sure that nobody went hungry. Along with having fun, this is an occasion that supported a few worthy causes, as all proceeds made from the game went towards Helptogether and Prema Mandiram charities. The event also marked the first anniversary and the website launch (www.wisac.unitasisac.ie) of WISAC.
The event was graced by Perry Ogden, Chairman of Sports Against Racism Ireland (SARI), noted Irish biographer, novelist and screenplay writer Anne Chambers who has also written the book Ranji: Maharajah of Connemara and Rangan Arulchelvan, cricket fan and owner of the Russell Court Hotel and a few other businesses, who gave away the prizes for the games and raffle draw.
The match was played in a six a side smash and dash format. There were teams from different countries and the event that started at 10.30am wrapped up at 7pm. The competition was fierce, with the ample cricket talent in Ireland on full display on the day. The children, trained by a cheerleading workshop, made a cute sight as they egged on the finalists by donning cheerleading hats.
Amongst the men, the trophy went to team India which consisted of Varun Kasana, Vikas Dhiman, Jaskaran Walia, Rama Vydyula, Satish Namala and Sanjay Saharan. Team Ireland, the members of which were Mohsin Tarar, Sreedhar Pendyala, Prabhath Pramar, Jeremy Dunleavy, Ramu Akula and Ramana Yanala came a close second. Vikas Dhiman also won the prize for Best Batsman while Mohsin Tarar was awarded Best Bowler. Amongst the women, Dublin Challengers, a team made up by Sowmya Tankala, Padma Nati, Bindu Nair, Rajini Senapathy, Chaitanya N, Pradnya Donge Kiran, Sandya Rani came first, followed by Team Ireland, consisting of Bindu Achanta, Priya Krishnan, Prasuna Jonnalgadda, Kinjal, Vandana, Bhavani and Prapti. In KhoKho, Team Penny Posh, comprising Himabindu Achanta, Pradnya Donge Kiran, Padma Nati, Bindu Nair, Prasana Nair Balakrishnan, Prasuna Jonnalgadda and Priya Krishnan came first.
*Unitas ISAC is a non-profit organization that works towards promoting integration in the community through sports, arts and culture. Their next event is the Dublin Mela in August, which will be a 5 day extravaganza in the city centre, giving you an insight into various Indian arts, culture and sports. All details of their events are available on their website www.unitasisac.ie