• November 20, 2023

Triumph and Talent: UK Malayalee Cricket League celebrates 20th Annual Awards Night in London

Triumph and Talent: UK Malayalee Cricket League celebrates 20th Annual Awards Night in London

By Bincy Babu

LONDON Nov 20: The Ford Sports & Social Club in Newbury Park came alive on the evening of November 18th, 2023, as the UK Malayalee Cricket League (UKMCL) gathered for its 20th Annual Awards Night.

A celebration of cricket excellence, the event showcased the remarkable achievements of the League’s teams and individuals over the past season.

Entertainment and Cultural Showcase

Amidst the cricketing triumphs, the audience was treated to a delightful display of cultural performances. Abhijith’s solo renditions of Hindi, Malayalam, and Tamil songs, Daren’s engaging karaoke, Karthik Manoj’s soulful solo, and an attractive dance performance by Krishna Preethy, Arathi and Archana added a touch of artistry to the evening. Karthik’s keyboard performance added a musical flair to the cultural showcase.

League Champions

The spotlight shone on Three Caps CC, securing the League Champions and League Cup titles in the fiercely contested Saturday League.

Meanwhile, United Kent CC became the ‘invincibles’, won all Sunday competitions and T20, and remained undefeated the whole season. United Kent CC are the Sunday League champions; they also won the Sunday League Cup and T20, capping off an incredible inaugural season with unbeaten performances that left spectators in awe.

Exceptional Performances

HMCC, London Desperados, and Mallu CC stood tall as runners-up in their respective leagues and cup games displaying strong performances that earned them well-deserved recognition.

The competitive spirit and talent displayed by all member teams were reflected in the complete list of award winners.

Chairman’s Address and Felicitation

The UKMCL Chairman took the stage to address the gathering, acknowledging the dedication and sportsmanship of all participants. The event saw the felicitation of key contributors, with children presenting tokens of appreciation.

Special recognition was given to Raji Gangadharan of EMCC and Manilal Vishwambharan of Phoenix for their outstanding 20-plus years of service as captains.

Awards Galore

The awards ceremony recognised outstanding performances in various categories.

Saturday Premier League’s Best Batsman went to Akhil Kumar MA from HMCC, Best Bowler was awarded to Sarav Singh from Three Caps CC, Best All-Rounder went to Sachin Angajan from Cygnus CC, and Best Wicket Keeper was Karthik Nambiar from Phoenix CC. Sunday Premier League’s Best Batsman was Vishnu Vasudev from London Desperados, the Best Bowler was Toney Thomas from Eden CC, the Best All-Rounder was Smith Thomas from Mallu CC, and the Best Wicket Keeper Shijo Thomas from Mallu CC.

Champion Awards were presented to Three Caps CC and United Kent CC for their outstanding achievements in different leagues, while runners-up were acknowledged for their commendable efforts.

Sajeev Sadasivan of Heathrow Malayalee CC was honoured for his outstanding contributions to community cricket in London.

Sponsors were also recognized for their invaluable support.

The 20th Annual Awards Night of the UK Malayalee Cricket League was a grand celebration of cricketing talent, cultural richness, and sportsmanship.

As the event concluded with a superb feast, it marked not just the end of a season but the continuation of a tradition that brings the cricketing community together in the spirit of camaraderie and excellence.

If you are someone who would love to play cricket and be part of a team that is associated with the UKMCL then please email secretary@ukmcl.com