I wish to thank the cricketers of the Atlantic Region especially the Regional Board for their kind support during the past year.
On behalf of the Region I would also like to thank Mr. Ashok Patel of USA Cricket Academy, Mr. Lalta Persaud of Indoor Cricket, and Mr. Venu Palaparthi of Dream Cricket. These gentlemen have always supported the efforts of the Atlantic Region and need to know that they are appreciated.
Members of the Atlantic Region and all cricket lovers, I hope your wishes and aspirations become a reality in 2010. As we embark on this cricketing journey we are faced with many challenges real or perceived, but by working together we can find amicable resolutions. It is my hope that development of cricket and its players will be the main focus of all administrators. Quoting a very good friend of mine who constantly reminds me that, “We have only one product, cricket,” and we will be judged by how well we manage the sport.
Thanks to the CEO Don Lockerbie, President Gladstone Dainty and the rest of the marketing committee, USACA and the Atlantic Region is on the brink of accomplishing the financial means to support most of its programs. This much-needed support is being derived from relationships forged with several commercial partners. Opportunities are constantly being explored, and USACA will keep its’ members informed through press releases.
The Region’s administrators are striving to improve how it manages the affairs of cricket. Equal consideration and the necessary resources have to be given to the Women’s Cricket, Youth Cricket U15 & U19, and senior cricket programs. The Regional Board under the leadership of Mr. Sheldon Ellis should be encouraged, though not satisfied, by the accomplishments of some of the Region’s top players. There were three women Ivy Mahabir, Divonne Hayes and Isoline Sutherland, three U19 players Muhammad Ghous, Henry Wardley and Yash Shah, and two U15 players Rishi Patel and Adytha Nagaraju who made the US National team. In January 2010 the USA will be participating in the ICC Under 19 World Cup in New Zealand and the above U19 players will be representing the US and Atlantic Region.
In February the USA senior national team will be leaving for ICC tournaments in Dubai and Nepal, the winner of the Nepal tournament will be promoted to ICC Division 4. For the US national senior team, probables include Carl Wright, Imran Awan and Clain Williams from the Atlantic Region; both Glen Hall and Rashard Marshall who previously represented the AR are included in my list of probable players. Not to be out done the Regional women’s team will be traveling to Florida in April to compete in the USACA Women’s National tournament. Players from this tournament will be selected to the US National team and will represent the USA against Canada later this summer. The winner will represent the Americas in the ICC women’s World Cup tournament.
In 2010 USACA will be participating in several tournaments nationally and internationally, thus providing many opportunities for our seniors, youngsters and women cricketers. Just as the cricketers are constantly challenged to produce, administrators must also step up to the plate and ensure a seamless transformation of effort and skill-set to selection. Fairness, transparency, processes, respect, and effective communication are buzzwords that are often used. The time to put those words in action is now; let us demonstrate to all cricketers in the USA and the Atlantic Region that the development and promotion of CRICKET is the only positive legacy we will leave. Let us all cultivate a positive attitude as we enter this new decade, wishing you all a great 2010 and remember, “To be successful we must communicate effectively and work together.”
Yours in sport,
Atlantic Regional Representative
Shelton Glasgow
