The Launch of Bengal Tigers Cricket Club
The Open Day, held at Stumps Indoor Cricket Centre saw the launch of the Bengal Tigers Cricket Club (B.T.C.C.) by Bangladesh Community Development (BCD).
The Open Day was organised to celebrate an exclusive sponsorship deal with the Royal Navy, to encourage more Bangladeshi youngsters to play cricket. The initiative was also supported by Veetee, Natwest and local businesses.
The day got underway promptly at midday with the doors being open to the public throughout the day. The new kit that the B.TC.C. will be playing in next season was modelled by young enthusiasts. The cricket nets were also opened at 12 o'clock as youngsters began to show off their cricketing ability. From the start it was evident that there was a great passion for the game from the younger generation and a buzz remains ever since Bangladesh had such a triumphant World Cup in the summer of 1999. it appears the candle is still burning within.
With the arrival of several professional coaches from Warwickshire County Cricket Club, youngsters were being taught the finer points of cricket and were given tips on improving their batting and bowling techniques.
Two o'clock saw the arrivals of the guests of honour; Worcestershire and England 'A fast bowler Alamgir Sheriyar and Warwickshire batsman Dominic Ostler. Sheriyar was the leading wicket taker in first class county cricket last season ahead of the likes of Saqlain Mushtaq and Allan Donald. The two of them attracted ample enthusiastic autograph hunters as well as talented youngsters. The celebrities also gave youngsters useful tips on batting and bowling.
As the day wore on, a specialist photographer was brought in by the Royal Navy to take shots of the Bengal Tigers team as well as of Sheriyar and Ostler. Articles about the event appeared in the Evening Mail, Birmingham Voice, Metro News and Jonomot a national Bengali newspaper.
Alongside the cricket nets on offer to youngsters, there was also the opportunity to play five a side football for those who just can't stay away from the world's most popular game. Football fanatics showed off their hidden talents ahead of the launch of the Sylhet Tigers Football Club (S.T.F.C.) in the year 2000.
The Royal Navy were well represented throughout the day, raising the profile of the service within the ethnic community. The Royal Navy team included Commodore Nick Harris, Lt. Simon Wallace, Lt. David Greenfield, Lt. Andy Jaini and Chandraika Bodhram.
The day concluded with the raffle draw from the tickets which had been sold throughout the day. David Greenfield of the Royal Navy won the first prize of a £50 JJB Sports shop voucher The second prize, a cricket book kindly donated by Cornhill Insurance which was won by Mr Blythe with ticket no. 68 and the third prize, a sports bag, donated by Yellow Pages was won by Mr Danny with ticket no. 130.
During the day there was the opportunity to join B.T.C.C. by signing the registration forms. In total the under 16 and over 16 clubs managed to collate over a hundred names of those who were interested in representing B.T.C.C.
BCD would like to thank all the Royal Navy Ethnic Minorities Team for their support and encouragement. BCD would also like to thank all the volunteers that participated on the day, without whom the Open Day could not have been successful.
In conclusion, the Open Day was a great success attracting up to 300 people throughout the day from the age of 7 up to the mid twenties. People from all over the Midlands flocked to join in the fun. BCD endeavours to help talented cricketers achieve their dreams of playing competitive cricket.
