Cricket played as memorial to friends

A cricket tournament held in the memory of three friends has enough backing to become an annual event.

The AAR tournament pits teams against teams in a battle that has no loser.

Players come together to remember Anuj, Anjo and Richard, who died in a car accident in 2005.

Richard’s brother Ronnie Kurian said since the accident, the family has received tremendous support from the Indian and wider New Zealand community.

The tournament began as a badminton competition, run by the Hamilton Malayalee Association.

‘‘(It) was a huge success but after a few years the tournament came to a halt due to a lack of funding and change in the organising committee.

‘‘Since the past three years, the youth of the Indian community took this tournament onto the cricket field.’’

Ronnie said Anuj, Anjo and Richard were avid cricket players and he felt it was fitting to conduct a cricket tournament for them.

It began humbly with only six teams competing, but the number has since doubled.

The tournament was split between Innes Common at Hamil- ton Lake and Steele Park in Hamilton East.

‘‘This year, out of nowhere, we had 14 teams playing,’’ Kurian said.

‘‘Thankfully, all the games were played in good spirit and the tournament was conducted with less hassle.’’

The final was played between Desi Youngsters from Auckland and the organising team – Little Masters.

Little Masters had held the winning position since the tournament commenced, but lost to Desi Youngsters, who managed to score 228 from 20 overs.

‘‘It was a great battle which was equally enjoyed by both teams and also the spectators who turned up without any prior invitation,’’ Kurian said.

The winners claimed a $1000 prize while the runners up received $500.

Hamilton Mayor Andrew King handed out the trophies. Kurian said the tournament will kick into higher gear in 2018, and will become an annual event.

‘‘Next season, the tournament will take place during the Christmas break and it will be conducted in partnership with Hamilton Cricket Association.’’