CAB hosts Annual Award Ceremony in grand fashion

Ambar Bhattacharya, Takmaa News, Kolkata, 14th Sept 2024 : In a glittering Annual Award Ceremony on Saturday, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) handed the Karthik Bose Lifetime Achievement Awards to former Bengal cricketers Pranab Roy and Runa Basu.

India star fast bowler Mohammad Shami received a special award for his excellent performance in the Cricket World Cup 2023.

Bengal Umpire Abhijit Bhattacharya was also handed a special award for officiating in the Women’s Premier League final.

CAB also felicitated former India all-rounder Ajay Jadeja for his illustrious contribution towards the game.

The sparkling ceremony, which was held for the second successive year at the gorgeous Dhana Dhayna auditorium, saw CAB President Snehasish Ganguly rendering some inspirational words for the Bengal cricketers.

“I want to congratulate all the winners today and at the same time say those who have not won, I want to tell them to give their best and you may find yourself here next year. This who have won, I want them to carry on and scale bigger heights. This was a special year as we started two new tournaments, organised 5 world cup matches and also began the Bengal ProT20 League.

“We have introduced two tournaments for women and thus given both our boys and girls more opportunities to showcase their talents. I take this opportunity to welcome everyone who have come here to make this awards ceremony succesful,” Mr Ganguly said.

Alongside CAB President, Vice President Amalendu Biswas, Hony Secretary Naresh Ojha, Hony Joint Secretary Debrabrata Das and Treasurer Prabir Chakrabarty was present. Former CAB Presidents Sourav Ganguly and Abhishek Dalmiya, Former office bearers, current committee members and Chairman and members of all affiliated units were also present.

Pranab Roy, who received the lifetime achievement award, was a right-handed batsman, playing 74 first-class matches. He also represented Bengal and captained the side.

“I would like to say this is a special moment to get an award in the name of my coach who I consider my mentor. I would like to thank all the clubs where I played. I would also like to thank the great cricket administrators Sri Biswanath Dutta and Sri Jagmohan Dalmiya who have been so pro-people. I thank CAB for honouring me with this lifetime award,” Roy said.

Ms Runa Basu, who also received the lifetime achievement award, was a right-handed batter and a right arm bowler. She also represented the Indian National Women’s team in five Women’s Tests and six women’s ODIs. She thanked the CAB for bestowing on her the prestigious award.

“I thank CAB for honouring me with lifetime award. I would like to say we took guidance from Kartik (da). We played when women’s cricket was not recognised. But I am very happy that CAB is doing so much for Bengal’s cricket right now,” Basu said.

Shami, who was felicitated for his outstanding performance in the Cricket World Cup 2023, said, “I can’t thank Bengal enough. I was born in a family in UP where there was no opportunity. So I often say I was born in UP but made in Bengal. This is a journey of 22 years and I am so grateful to Bengal for making me what I am. The love and warmth Bengal has shown will never be forgotten. I want Women’s cricket to come up in a big way. People should not discriminate and I would be very happy to see our families backing them.”

Former India all-rounder Ajay Jadeja, said” “I am overwhelmed that Bengal has shown me so6 much love and CAB made me a part of their family. I congratulate the AA ward winners and would like to tell them as Dada often said– Dil se khelo, Khul ke khelo. I hope they carry forward Dada’s legacy and make Bengal and India proud. Jhulan (di) Goswami is also another legend sitting here. They should inspire the young boys to play and give their best.”

CAB Hony Secretary Naresh Ojha during his speech said, “I would like to thank all the players for making their presence felt in the evening. I also thank the parents being present here. I also taking this opportunity to thank all the officers bearers President Snehasish Ganguly, Vice President Amalendu Biswas, Joint Secretary Debrabrata Das and Treasurer PrabirChakrabarty also the committee members, also the stakeholders for their constant support in takingy6 Bengal cricket forward.”

During the awards ceremony, a talk show was also hosted featuring India star fast bowler Mohammad Shami, and former India cricketers Ajay Jadeja and Sandip Patil.

Speaking during a talk show, Shami said, “I want to definitely play for Bengal next season. I am looking forward to play two to three matches for Bengal in Ranji. It will help me to make a comeback in the international cricket. I have been training at the NCA and I want to play as and when I a 100 percent fit.”

The India speedster feels India are favorites to beat Australia in the upcoming five-match Test series later this year.

“I think India are favourites to win the series. In the last series in Australia, we played with a young team with a lot of senior players missing. But we proved we were the best. So I feel the next series will be competitive one and India will be victorious,” Shami added.

Sandip Patil and Ajay Jadeja took us on a trip down the memory lane and harped on the importance of team spirit and never-say-die attitude. Both of them praised Sourav Ganguly for his contribution to cricket and hoped Shami would be back to his best fast.

The winners who were awarded for their excellent performance on the field last season were – Anustup Majumdar, who was awarded with the Cricketer of the Year Award while Abishek Porel was awarded the Gentleman Cricketer of the Year award.

Suraj Singh Jaiswal won the Best Fast Bowler of the Year award. Chandrahas Dash was named the Best Under-19 Cricketer of the Year, whiley Yudhajit Guha and Priyanshu Patel were awarded the Best Under-19 Bowler.

Deepti Sharma was awarded for being the Highest Run Getter for Bengal in the Senior Women’s T20 Meet.

Mita Paul received the Award for the Highest Wicket Taker for Bengal in the Senior Women’s One Day Tournament.

Saika Ishaque received the award for being the Highest Wicket Taker for Bengal in Senior Women’s T20 Meet.

A total of around 200 awards were given in the evening.