DAR ES SALAAM: THE Cricket Legends Reunion Group of Tanzania has praised the Tanzania Cricket Association (TCA) for the recent success of the national cricket teams.
The new leadership under Chairman Balakrishna Sreekumar has made an impressive impact, with the national teams excelling in various international tournaments.
The most recent triumph came from the senior men’s team, who defeated Malawi in the final to clinch the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Africa Qualifier A Trophy in Dar es Salaam.
The victory came just a month after the Under-19 men’s team secured the Africa Division 2 Qualifier Trophy by beating Sierra Leone by 36 runs in the final, after ten days of intense competition.
Although the Tanzania U19 women’s team fell short of World Cup qualification, they finished the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier in Rwanda on a high note, securing fifth place with a strong victory over Namibia.
“A big thank you from all the legends to TCA Chairman Sreekumar’s management, the coach and, of course, our cricketing legends who supported the team both on the field and from abroad,” said Rathod.
Notable figures from the group, including senior administrator Dinesh Vaishnav, along with Babulal Chudasama, Harish Patel, Nizar Jivan and Gulam Dossajee, were among the cricketing veterans who turned out to cheer for the team.
“Our boys performed excellently; it was heartening to see so many veterans take the time to support team Tanzania by attending at all matches.
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It made a tremendous difference,” Reunion Group Lead Rathod highlighted the importance of support from former players.
“When legendary cricketers are present to cheer on the team, it inspires the youth and lifts the entire squad’s morale.
It reminds me of the 1960s and ’70s when the local community would come out in large numbers to support the game.”
Chairman Sreekumar also expressed his gratitude to the cricketing legends for their unwavering support.
Sreekumar said: “All five of our national teams — the men’s 50-over and T20, the women’s T20, the U19 boys’ 50-over and the U-19 girls’ T20 — are now in Division 1.
Even if just two of them qualify for the World Cup, it will be a moment of immense celebration.”