Silchar Veteran Cricketers Club (SVCC) held its fifth ‘Annual Felicitation Programme’ earlier today. The club formed by former cricketers of Cachar has progressed leaps and bounds in the last few years. Though formed by veterans, the club follows a “startup” mentality where the executive members themselves get to work to successfully conduct an event. While it is a Cricketers Club, in the recent past, the club forayed into socio-welfare initiatives that are not restricted to cricket.
Birendra Prasad Singh president of SVCC and general secretary of Silchar DSA declared the event open with his welcome note. He began by shedding light on the various activities the Club performed in the past. Also, he took a jibe at the critics who accuse SVCC of influencing the District Sports Administration (DSA) to become cricket oriented. “SVCC has no intentions to convert Silchar DSA into District Cricket Association. I want to put it on record that the club will only help non-cricket sports and never be an obstacle,” said Singh.
He also alluded to the fact that SVCC has provided financial support to fencer Kavita Devi, donated kits and hockey sticks to 20 local players among many other such activities. Former minister and vice president of BCCI Gautam Roy graced the occasion as chief guest. DSA president Babul Hore, child specialist Priyanka Deb among others.
Gautam Roy hailed the new chief minister of Assam and said it is an opportunity for the administrators in Barak Valley to rake in the benefits. “Himanta Biswa Sarma is willing to work for the development Barak Valley and it provides us an opportunity. We should raise the issues such as not getting Ranji matches or other domestic matches. It is unfortunate that I could not win the elections otherwise I would have entered Cachar and worked for the development of the locals,” said Roy.
Sukanta Dey received the coveted best cricketer of the year for his all round brilliance and consistency throughout the 2020-21 season. Cachar express Pritam Das, wicket keeper batsman Abhishek Thakuri and left arm bowler Rahul Singh were felicitated by SVCC for their performances in the state team. Specially abled cricketers from Cachar who made it to the state team – Kaustav Chakraborty, Monojit Das and Bishal Kahar were also rewarded at the annual event.
SVCC handed over special recognitions to three staff of Silchar DSA and kit bags to eight football referees. Eight sports journalists – Sanjay Roy, Biswanath Hazam, Iqbal Bahar Laskar, Pijush Nath, Kinkar Das, Abhishek Bhattacharjee, Tapojyoti Das and Anirban Roy Choudhury were also felicitated in the programme.
SVCC organises Barak Premier League which has emerged as one of the premium cricket tournaments in Southern Assam. Players from Agartala, Guwahati, Bihar, Delhi participates in the tournament. Bijendra Prasad Singh announced that the SVCC members will work together to start Barak Soccer League, taking inspiration from Indian Super League football tournament.
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