Credit: IAL
The Indian Association Luxembourg (IAL) recently hosted the IAL Trophy, a special six-a-side social cricket tournament to commemorate the 78th Independence Day of India.
This full-day event took place on Thursday 15 August 2024 and was more than just a sporting occasion; it was a community celebration filled with cultural significance and fun activities for people of all ages.
The event kicked off at 09:30 at the Pierre Werner Cricket Ground, with four men's teams competing in a friendly yet competitive environment, namely the “Revolutionary Rangers” led by Vijay Subramanium, the “Liberty Legends” led by Rupesh Bingu, “Unity Uplifters” led by Sambhav Puri and the “Triumph Troopers” led by Asgar Barkat.
There were ten matches in total, with five over each. The final was held between Unity Uplifters and Liberty Legends, where the former emerged victorious, securing the IAL Trophy. In the match for third place, Revolutionary Rangers claimed victory over Triumph Troopers.
A mixed match with two women and ten men also took place, making for an extra inclusive and fun addition to the event.
At noon, the Indian National Anthem was played, marking the start of a unique ceremony that was attended by Dr Samod Singh, a retired Indian Army Para Commando, and his wife Dr Swadesh Devi, both of whom are well-known poets and authors. They shared excerpts from their literary works, engaging the audience with inspiring words and stories. Dr Samod Singh has been honoured with the Foreign Service Medal and the Special Service Medal, reflecting his illustrious career in the Indian Armed Forces.
The couple's attendance was facilitated by their son, Mr Harshit Choudhary, who has lived in Luxembourg for over five years. To mark the occasion, Dr Swadesh Devi also launched two of her books, with copies distributed to attendees.
Dr Samod Singh and Dr Swadesh Devi congratulated all four teams, with each team receiving a cricket ball signed by the IAL President and a bottle of sparkling wine to celebrate their participation.
Arvind Pandey from the Luxembourg Cricket Federation (LCF) and IAL President, Sahil Goel presented the IAL Trophy to the winning team, Unity Uplifters. The highlight of the awards ceremony also included Jatin Madan, who was honoured as the Player of the Tournament for his stellar all-rounder performance, receiving the accolade from confirmed cricket player, Phil Burleigh.
The Pierre Werner Cricket Ground was also an occasion of fun and festivity for families. A bouncy castle was set up for the children, ensuring that even the youngest attendees had a memorable time. To complement the sporting event, a varied array of Indian food and drinks were on offer, provided by the Kohinoor Restaurant. All the players, organisers and support staff received vouchers for food and drinks from IAL as a token of appreciation for their contribution to making the event a success, the organisers noted.
The day combined sports, culture and community spirit, celebrating both the sport of cricket and the rich heritage of India, IAL concluded.
