Mahdia (Movements Family) performed superbly to win the inaugural Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) Harmony League T10 Tape-ball Championship.
On Sunday, Ricardo Adams and Ershaad Ali marched their team to a comprehensive victory over Lil Rams in the final at the Everest Cricket Club.
Responding to a target of 95, the powerful duo of Ricardo Adams, who made 44* (4x4s;3x6s) from 27 balls, and Ershaad Ali, who made 41* (1×4;5x6s) from 14 balls, quickly steered the title Mahdia’s way.
Before the final, legendary West Indian captain Sir Clive Lloyd and Commissioners from the ERC greeted the teams.
Forty-eight teams from each of the counties competed in the tournament that commenced on November 17.
Given the success and interest of players, the ERC is expected to host a bigger event in 2025.
At the presentation ceremony, Deputy Chair of the ERC, Commissioner Charles Ogle in providing the feature remarks said “I am proud that this league has gone beyond being a sporting event; it has served as a platform to promote harmony and inclusion across our diverse nation. This aligns closely with the Commission’s mission to foster mutual respect and understanding, ensuring that our shared spaces are filled with positivity and unity.”
Head of the Public Relations Sub-Committee, Commissioner Neaz Subhan also used the opportunity to express his gratitude to the teams that participated in the tournament. He commended the Mahdia team for lifting the trophy, noting that he was impressed and heartened by the fact that a team originating from Region eight won the tournament, as it was the initial intent of the Commission to get players from all the Regions to participate.
In closing, Commissioner Ogle in his feature address thanked the organizers of the tournament, “Oak Tree, Mr. Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall for sponsoring the trophies, and every single staff member who worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life. Your efforts behind the scenes ensured that each match ran smoothly and that everyone—players, officials, and spectators alike—had a memorable experience.”
Prize Summary:
Winner ($500,000): Mahdia (Movements Family)
Runner-Up ($250,000): Lil Rams
Losing Semi-finalist One ($100,000): The Guards
Losing Semi-finalist Two ($100,000): CJIA Warriors
Most Valuable Player of the Tournament ($100,000): Riyad Latif
Most Runs ($60,000): Ershaad Ali
Most Wickets ($60,000): Ganesh Surijpaul
Player-of-the-Final ($60,000): Ricardo Adams
Summary of Finals
Semi-Final One: Lil Rams 122-3 from 10 overs (Shamar Apple 40, Jonathan Van Lange 20, Kemol Savory 19; Mark Jeffers 1-21, Ronaldo Alimohamed 1-29) v The Guards 66-7 from 9.4 overs (Christopher Barnwell 27, Sheldon Alexander 15, Shemroy Barrington 13; Ganesh Surijpaul 3-6, Marlon Boele 3-12)
Semi-Final Two: CJIA Warriors 90-6 from 10 overs (Shakiel Wong 28, Alvin Ramdeholl 13, Noel Eveyln 12; Raydon Austin 2-4, Suresh Dhani 2-9) v Mahdia 91-0 from 5.2 overs (Ershaad Ali 59*, Ricardo Adams 28*)
FINAL: Lil Rams 94-8 from 10 overs (Kemol Savory 33, Riyad Latif 23, Thaddeus Lovell 14; Floy Joseph 3-24, Neiland Cadogan 2-23, Carlos LaRose 1-9) v Mahdia 100-0 from 6.5 overs (Ricardo Adams 44*, Ershaad Ali 41*)
Caption: Champions! Mahdia celebrates the title success
Caption: ERC’s Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack hands over the first-place prize to captain of Mahdia, Raydon Austin
