(Celebrating 45th Anniversary):- Cosmos has ventured into territories few clubs have ever explored. Last Saturday evening, they commemorated forty-five years as a distinguished cricket club with a grand celebration held at the stylish Liberty Palace Banquet Hall. It was undoubtedly a momentous occasion overflowing with warmth, affection, and camaraderie—one that will linger in the memories of all Cosmos members who have been part of its rich history.
Over the past four and a half decades, Cosmos has etched its legacy in countless ways, embodying a spirit filled with elegance, humility, and richness that has defined the club’s journey. Those feelings were palpable as former members expressed their pride in witnessing the club’s enduring strength, particularly with the younger generation stepping up to elevate it further.
The celebration was vibrant, highlighted by both past and present members, showcasing a refreshing wave of youth leadership as Cosmos captain Ryan Ganesh took to the podium to commence the event. This was subsequently followed by a heartfelt invocation from Antanio Rooplall, who humorously seemed to take time off as if to secure another century.
The formal welcome to the 45th Anniversary Presentation Dinner and Dance was given by the dapper 14-year-old Alvin Gobin. He spoke with poise and confidence, making an impression with every word, emphasizing that Cosmos is more than just a cricket club; it’s a family that supports one another. He particularly acknowledged auntie Faizah for her mentorship, receiving thunderous applause from the audience when he declared his ambition to one day serve as president of Cosmos. Well done, young man.
Devindra Balgobin, another of the club’s promising talents, recounted several of Cosmos’s initiatives, including donations to a children’s hospital, an annual coat drive for the homeless, support for a girls’ orphanage in Guyana, and scholarship stipends for members, before introducing the Master of Ceremonies, Carl Bennett, who has stood by the club through its challenges with unparalleled dedication.
Carl Bennett, with his characteristic flair, enlivened the gathering as he managed the formal proceedings with elegance. Alvin Gobin received the award for the most promising player. The evening’s top accolades were awarded to Antanio Rooplall for most runs, while Devindra Balgobin claimed 1st Runners-up and Yogeshwar Ramgobin took 2nd Runners-up. The competition for most wickets extended to the very last match, culminating in a tie between Junick Mingo and Towgeshwar Thakoordeen, with Ryan Ganesh and Alex Chunilall also tied for Runners-up. In the Masters category, K. Persaud led in most runs, while Sunil Narine performed notably, securing 2nd Runners-up for runs and most wickets. Aggrey Salmon received recognition for 2nd Runners-up in runs, and Gilbert Bartholomew for his impressive 5-wicket haul. Tyrone Stewart, Shafiq Jadavji, and Clement Walsh reminisced about their formative years with Cosmos as they presented awards to Sunesh Wazid, Carl Bennett, and Anil Seebarran in appreciation of their steadfast commitment to the club.
The evening’s highlights included three special Lifetime Achievement Awards presented to Sohan Dass, a former Guyana National Player, for his dedication to the sport and ongoing commitment to youth development within Cosmos. He serves as a role model for aspiring players. Ashmul Ali, a former Guyana and USA National Player, was also honored for his decades of leadership at Cosmos, steering the club through its foundational years and guiding it during challenging periods. He embodies the qualities of decency, humility, and effective leadership—cornerstones of Cosmos. To my astonishment, I also received an award, and I genuinely appreciate the recognition from this exceptional group.
Cosmos presented beautiful flowers from Lucious Stems as a token of appreciation to a wonderful group of women in the organization: Auntie Faizah, Auntie Sherry, Anita, Sophie, Lisa, Priya, Donesh Mon, Yogi Mom, Balgo Mom, Anita Mon, and all those who worked tirelessly to ensure the event’s success, making it the best one yet. A heartfelt thank you to the management of Liberty Palace Banquet Hall for catering to our every need and more.
With the current team, Cosmos is set for a promising future, showcasing humility and determination ingrained in the club’s culture. This remarkable group consistently impresses and deserves all accolades for orchestrating such a memorable presentation. Many from the New York cricket community echoed the sentiment that they had never attended a more well-organized and well-attended cricket presentation, which is certainly heartening to hear.
And thus, this celebration of cricket and a club that originated from humble beginnings in the Bronx at historic Vancourtland Park concluded, staying true to its roots over the years. Cosmos celebrated its 45th Anniversary Presentation, Dinner, and Dance in grand style, dancing the night away amongst a hall full of cherished guests, especially our members from the 80s and 90s. Our thanks extend to Anil and Sono, along with all of our sponsors, supporters, friends, and family who contributed to making this anniversary a resounding success. Keep up the impressive work, boys. You truly are exceptional!
Next up, we will travel to play against the Philadelphia cricket club for our final match, starting at 10:30 AM, wrapping up our 2024 cricket season.
Image Source: Cosmos Cricket Club @ Instagram
