QUOTES FROM PLAYERS REGARDING PHILLY CRICKET FESTIVAL

“Just wanted to thank everyone for taking part in what turned out to be an great week of cricket and memories. How many times have we all got a chance to play of grounds like they had at Philly, and shake hands with the likes of Richie Richardson and Joel Garner in the same week.Some sweet memories include Paul’ catch that got Richie at Merion, Krishna's 2 bowling spells at Merion and Haverford on Sat, "Bda" Ganesh's rapid fire 46 and fine opening spell on Sat at Merion, Ankur’ 2 sweet innings on day 1 and 3, "Chota" Ganesh's gutsy efforts with both ball and bat throughout, Paul and Zeeshan's gutsy knocks(and incisive bowling), Srugun’s do or die running that got us to the brink of victory against Littleton, Rajani's tight spell and sweet little opening innings against Haverford, and our final bowling and fielding effort as a team against Haverford college.

Ravi Vishwanathan – Public Relations Officer, PCA and Gladiators Team Member

“Thanks to Shailesh, Paul and the rest of the team for the great trip. I still feel that we were unlucky in the second game against Littleton that eliminated us from the playoffs. There is always a next time. I hope you are all fired-up for the PCA season? PS: Thanks to Ravi for the 2 Advil tablets on Saturday morning that helped me run that 60+ runs with Ankur against Merion.”

Krishna Konduru – SteelZaGs Team Member

“Thanks to Shailesh, Paul, Simon, Reg and everybody who made that trip very memorable. I think we did fight well, as a team. I am still kind of frustrated by our second loss. I still think I could’ve saved that game for you guys, but luck didn’t support me. Anyway, I really enjoyed the trip, and looking forward for some more. Get ready for PCA 2006 season, and let’s have some fun”

Zeeshan Babar – Captain, Gladiators Team

“ Thanks to all from my side for the trip. Good for us, as we came back with our heads and shoulders up. This series was really a boost for us as we all know we missed our final by just 4 runs. Never mind we will hold the cup next season for sure”

Srugun Sreepuram – SteelZaGs Team Member

“This was a good experience. We got a chance to play on very good facilities. Special thanks to Shailesh and Paul and all others for organizing the trip and to Simon and his company for the sponsorship.

Our team is good enough to beat all 4 four teams. But we were not ready in the 1st game. But we proved what we were in the next 3 games although we lost the second game. We saw some good performances from lots of people in the games. I am sure we will have a good season this year”

Rajanikant Jayaseelan – Committee Member PCA and PittsPunters Team Member

“I would like to thank Simon, Paul & Shailesh for giving PCA and all the members who went on this cricket festival invaluable experience playing on these wonderful grounds. I hope we get to this every year and have fun at the same time.  As a team we learned a lot from each other and about each other...   I would like to thank everyone for that...let's have a wonderful season...”

Ankur Chokshi – Gladiators Team Member

“For me it was a great privilege and pleasure to be on the same field with so many fine players and fellows. Regardless of the result we came together wonderfully as a team and have all benefited by the experience. We can all use this time together to build on our cricket skills and positive outlook for the league in Pittsburgh. Looking forward to many years of good cricket in the 'Burgh. Thanks to you all for the fine memories”

Simon Merrills – PCA Sponsor and Strikers Team Member

“This was really a wonderful experience guys and I would like to thank everyone involved from PCA in organizing this visit. Also, special thanks to all the team members for such an excellent display of team play and camaraderie. As I said y'day, its going to be a bit strange and a bit sad for me to face-up to Paul, Shailesh, Ravi, Ankur, Srugun, etc, in this regular season, because we gelled so well as a team. I look forward to being a part of something similar again.

I also would like to thank the ever-smiling Simon for all his efforts.

Reg/Roger: You guys rocked !!!!!!

Ganesh Krishnamurthy – PittsPunters Captain

“Thanks Shailesh, Paul, Simon, Reg and Roger for providing us an opportunity to play in this high profile tournament……..It is indeed an absolute pleasure and a wonderful experience to be playing alongside the best players in the Pittsburgh area and representing Pittsburgh against the best players from other cities… Apologies for being emotional on the field after the first game….Ravi summarized it perfectly….Thanks guys and hope to see you all in full force during the regular season for yet another year of extremely competitive and fierce cricketing action where we all will be up against each other rather than teammates….As G2 said this tournament will help all of us to be better sportsman and friendly gentleman during our regular season….Go PCA Go….”

Ganesh Krishnan – PittsPunters Team Member

“I would also like to Thank you all for being a part of such a special trip to the Philly tournament. It was an experience of a lifetime to play against Richie Richardson and for those who got to bat against him I’m sure you’ll have some fantastic memories. All in all a great effort to come back for a double win in a double header day really sensational stuff it was fantastic to be a part of it.I would like to echo Shailesh’s comments about you are all “the messengers”, You lived through this experience and can relate to all those that may be able to bring the DREAM of facilities and amenities to Pittsburgh so one day we can have tournaments and grounds to play on. In such a short time the PCA has come a long way and we know we have much further to go. None of it is achievable unless we band together, pool our resources, connect our assets and work hard towards the goal. Thank you all for your efforts in supporting the PCA. I personally love to play cricket and I am very thankful that I have been able to do it here in Pittsburgh with all of you. I look forward to the next time I get to play.

BIG THANKS for Philly –

Reg Henry who was responsible for getting us the invitation he worked at it for two years.

Simon Merrills for his generous support and dedication to the PCA and its success

Shailesh Bokil for all the added organizational efforts just to get us all to the event

Everyone who stepped on the field and represented the PCA with such great pride and determination –“

Paul Mackay – Vice President PCA and Strikers Captain

Thank you every one for your support and contributions -- both on and off the field at the Philadelphia cricket Festival. Considering that it is only been 1 year since we have had the opportunity to play some real cricket in Pittsburgh and it was only the 2nd time that we went to a tournament where we met the likes of Richie Richardson and Joel Garner, we did really well and made a lot of friends.

Congratulations to Ankur Chokshi(Gladiators) – Batting and Ganesh Krishnamurthy(PittsPunters) – Bowling who represented PCA on the ALL STAR Team at Phialdelphia and Krishna Konduru(Steelzags)for securing the prize wicket of Richie Richardson caught by Paul Mackay(Strikers) at long on. What a team effort!!

Lets' all look at a longer term goal of having our own ground, laying our own concrete pitch with a mat and building club facilities for our community today and for our children for the future so that we can continue the good work that we have all started. You folks are the messengers that have to spread the word among your team members and the community in general on the facilities that others have built and are enjoying and what we should aim for. It will take time but remember that it all started somewhere and if we have the vision, we can start small and build on it.

I would like to have a goal of securing a ground of our own for next year via purchase or grant and we can continue to develop the program with basic club house facilities and other hard to find indoor sports like table tennis and badminton, etc in the future.

Shailesh Bokil –President, PCA