Veteran Cricketers Felicitation in Thapar Stadium, Hyderabad

The Hyderabad State Veterans Cricket Association affiliated to The Board of Control for Veterans in India today organised a Cricket Carnival and felicitated a galaxy of former and current Test and Ranji Trophy Cricketers of our State.

In a function held at Thapar Stadium, AOC Center, Secunderabad, Arshad Ayub, President of Hyderabad Cricket Association and Vijay Mohan Raj, Honorary Secretary of Veterans Cricket Association facilitated Cricketers from the state from 1960s to till date.

The veterans who graced and who were facilitated include Arshad Ayub, Md. Azaruddin former Indian Captain, Venkatapathi Raju, VVS Laxman, Vijay Moahn Raj, Mohan, Noel David, Rajesh Yadavm, Swarup, Etesham, Dilip Reddy, Maheshwar Singh, Lokender Raj, Arvind Shetty, Abdul Hazeem, Akshath Reddy etc and others.

This gala event was organized to commemorate the 75th Birthday of the President, Veterans Cricket Association of Hyderabad Capt Manohar Sharma informed Vijay Mohan Raj, Honorary Secretary, Veterans Cricket Association of Hyderabad.
Lt Gen Bharat Sisodia, Director General of Ordnance Services (DGOs) Retd, former North Zone Cricketer was specially flown in from MHOW, Madhya Pradesh to grace the occasion.

Each of the veterans were presented with jersey’s of state colour.

Lt Gen Bharat Sisodia, Director General of Ordnance Services said nearly 10 to 12 Army Officers from Ordnance Services have become national cricketers.

He lauded the contribution for Capt Manohar Sharma for the growth of the cricket.
Speaking on the occasion Azaruddin, recalled his cricketing career and thanked every one who contributed for the growth of his cricketing career.

Commenting on VVS Lakshman, he informed that everybody tell him(Azaruddin) that VVS Lakshman plays like him. But, what is true is that he(Azaruddin) plays like VVS Lakshman.

VVS is a best cricketer the state has ever produced he said.

Speaking on the occasion VVS Lakshman said, it was a great opportunity to meet not only peer players, but also selectors and coaches all at one place.

Though we once met three years back like this for some reason or the other, we couldn’t meet subsequently.

It would be nice if all of us can meet once in a year and learn from each other and work for the growth of the cricket, he said.
Capt Manohar Sharma recalled his days of AOC Center in 1963.

It was at this very place I began my cricketing career he said. I have played Ranji Trophy for 20years. This ground has been a very lucky ground and has produced many luminary sports personalities in the country he said.

I helped AOC develop Cricket pitches here. Now the same are being used by HCA, he said. This very own ground has produced about 40 and odd Ranji and Test Cricket players, he said.

Welcoming the gathering Vijay Mohan Raj, Secretary, Veterans Cricket Asscoations, said when I got the opportunity to host this Cricket Carnival to bring all veterans at one single platform, we have grabbed the opportunity, he said.