Abu Dhabi : Sunshine Club Celebrating 35th Anniversary

Oswald M. D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Abu Dhabi 
 
Abu Dhabi:  Apr 23  : Its celebration time for the  cricket Club which has survived against all odds and yet going strong in the whole of UAE, that is the Sun Shine Cricket Club – the oldest Private Cricket Club based in Abu Dhabi, which is celebrating its 35th Anniversary this year.

Jerome Periera, Ajmal and Valerian

The “Sunshine Cricket club” was established in 1976  in Abu Dhabi, with the initiative  of few cricket enthusiasts just to kill time to drive away the boredom of Gulf’s stressful life during their spare time.  Nowhere   in the UAE such a club exists -  which has survived  and withstood the rigours of social and economic change in the UAE  through the sheer effort of its dedicated and fun loving  members.  Such is their  devotion towards the game, be there rain or sun shine, the players are at the grounds by sharp 6.30 in the mornings on every Friday and during the holidays hopping from place to place in search of proper play grounds like nomads.

It is one and only Club in the UAE, which has maintained a low profile all these years and is astonishing to note that the Club has celebrated its 10th, 25th  & 30th Anniversaries already and are celebrating their 35h anniversary this year.

The Foundation

The formation of this unique club started on a fine day in 1976  when the  first friendly game of over arm cricket was played between Middle East Traders represented by Egbert D’Souza and Thomas D’Souza (Goddy) of  ADPC (now ADCO) at the then St. Joseph’s Church premises, on the Corniche Road along the seashore of Abu Dhabi.  This heralded the beginning of non-stop game on every Fridays and  public holidays till the church was shifted to its present location.

The sheer determination and enthusiasm of  the players, who shifted the play grounds from place to place, as grounds they were playing always were earmarked for some sort of developmental activities.  Like nomads they  moved from place to place in search of appropriate playing facilities.   Though they changed so many places the zeal and enthusiasm continued.  Nothing deterred their spirit and devotion towards game - their ultimate aim was to play cricket, which motivated them throughout.

The Club consists of individuals with passion to play from every nook and corner of India, though the members during the formative years consisted only Mangaloreans and when the years passed by the club accommodated players from all over India irrespective of caste and creed.  The family like inseparable bondage is the hallmark of this club.

As the years passed by , the members increased in heaps and bounds.. The matches were arranged between married and bachelors once a year and Parties were organized to commemorate any special occasions.  There was also a custom of losers throwing parties to the winners. With the increased Number of members the Club felt the need of having certain rules and regulations in order to have discipline and in 1985 a questionnaire was issued to the members and based on the findings a Committee was formed to oversee the management and administration of the Club.  As the old system of collecting a Dirham for water on a Friday was dispensed with and replaced by a fixed fee per season.
In 1987, Ligoury D’ Souza  with legal background was elected as the Secretary, and was instrumental in drafting a constitution for the club. A constitution meeting was held at one of the member’s residence from  from 10 PM to 5 O'clock in the morning and the constitution came into effect on 25.8.1987. Ligoury took special care in drafting the constitution so that future of the club will be protected.  The Club was renamed as Sunshine Cricket Club Abu Dhabi in keeping with the cosmopolitan image.
Many members played pivotal role during the formative years of this club, but a special mention must be made of a senior member Oswald D’sa who has retired and moved to India, has played a special role from supplying water, specially filtered, his love and guidance when the club members went wrong in their attitude and approach.

During its initial years, the club played against local teams namely, NPCC, Al Saab, Dubai Teams etc., but due to increase in club members on board, it was felt that selecting players became a tricky issue, therefore to keep up the bond between the members it was decided not to compete with any other teams, so matches were arranged every Friday and Holidays between the Club members and a bond of friendship and oneness was formed. 

This is the main reason that this club has survived for so long.  No team in the UAE has played for these long 35 years without any interruption and the current strength of club members are nearing 60 in number.

A Family Bond

The Sunshine club is special in every way.  There is no difference or high handedness between members.  All are being treated equally, though the club has professionals and have Business men, Chartered Accountants, Engineers, Doctors, IT Professionals, clerks, technicians, Management personnel holding high profile jobs etc in their fold. But on the play ground they are equal and  no discrimination is shown.   Some players travel as far as from Dubai, Sharjah and from other remote places of Abu Dhabi just to play cricket on Fridays and holidays.

The Club is now on a firm ground and will survive any calamity as the members are an extended family with dedication and devotion. Loyalty to the Club is the basic strength of this Club. Members play in Professional Tournaments but will not miss the chance to play with Sunshine Club, when they are free and when they do not have their regular tournaments . This Club has given the platform to play, to enjoy, pull someone’s legs and also to fight on the ground. They roar like lions on the field but outside the field they are lambs – a friendly outfit.  This club has given many, a chance to relieve their stress of day to day life

The game of cricket is being played irrespective of any hindrance be it rain or sunshine with only a month's break in the year during summer that too, hesitantly.

 There are members in this club who still hold the fort since 1976.  Among them is the veteran Jerome Pereira (Konkani writer), who has been behind the success of this Club, who has strived hard to hold this club together and co-ordinating activities devotedly and painstakingly towards all odds.  Jerome, who is fondly called as Jemma, who played in the first match in 1976, is still playing devotedly on every Friday and on holidays  without fail, though he is advancing in age.  His motivation and vigour has boosted other members considering him as their role model.  Jemma a fatherly figure who is also the eldest  and senior most member of the club and is held in esteem by all members, though he has passed 64 and plays like a kid on the ground and leads by example and is the motivating spirit for the youngsters.  He acts as a advisor to the Club and is consulted for any crucial decisions.

When asked for his comments Jemma was emotional and said in his own poetic way “I have no words left in my vocabulary to express the joy and happiness I experienced when  Sunshine Cricket Club's 35th anniversary Cricket Tournament was played on plush green ground opposite the present St. Joseph’s Church bringing back the old memories where we started to play our first game way back in 1976.  The sweet memories that I have had with the association of the Club which has been my second family . I can go on retirement without any remorse as I can say there are people who can carry on this  mission which I carried on for so many years.

It is a mission which will be imprinted in golden letters in the annals in the history of Abu Dhabi cricket or for that matter of UAE. One thing no Cricket Club in UAE survived for 35 years without institutional backing or support. We are great and let us try to be great.  I repeat now the same words I expressed during our 30th anniversary today too.” He said.

Youngsters who started playing with the club from the age of 7 years have excelled in their life, playing for their colleges, universities and they are proud of this humble club which has helped them to discipline themselves and to achieve success.

The current chairman of the committee is Ajmal Jamal and the secretary is Valerian Fernandes who have lead the club for the last 3 years, though the club rules allow each chairman and secretary to hold the post only for 2 years.  Other committee members include  Rosario   Soares as Joint Secretary,  Aldred Pereira as Treasurer,   Lenin  Godinho as Committee Member, Prashanth  D’Souza as Committee Member Munir Ahmed – Committee Member and  Salim Sheik as Disciplinary Committee Chairman.  All committee members work in unison providing vital support.

The past chairpersons of the club were Jerome Pereira, Joseph D’Mello, Ashley Mascarenhas, Mahesh Sukhaja, Ruby Fernandes, Edward Lewis, Barkat Ali, Salim Sheikh  ( Sr), Ronald Rego etc.

The 35th Anniversary Celebrations

Cricket Tournament

To commemorate the occasion of the 35th Anniversary, a cricket tournament was held opposite St. Joseph’s Church on the Government Playground on   30 March 2012 – a turnaround to remember the first tournament held exactly opposite the then church premises – a coincidence indeed.

The funfilled day had 6 teams consisting of past and present members of the club including children from the age of 8 till elders of the age of 64 years.  The tournament was held in a sporting manner.  It was all day as the teams competed with each other in a professional way.

It was really fascinating to see  former  members participating despite of their age - some were even aged 64 years  along with the current members as young as 8 years.  That was the spirit and the bond the members have towards this amazing club.  The spectators enjoyed the festive atmosphere during the day.

The following teams were declared ultimate winners :

The team lead by Mohd. Kassim were declared winners  during a thrilling final encounter and team lead by S.K. Saleem were the runners up.

The following were declared winners in their respective category:

The best bats man : Anup Salian
The Best Bowler : Firoz Sheikh
Best All rounder : Taufiq

Family Get-together

As a climax to conclude the 35th glorious Anniversary celebrations, a get-together for the past and present players and their  families, along with well wishers was held at India Social and Cultural Centre – Abu Dhabi on Thursday 19th April 2012 evening.

The evening was full of fun and entertainment with music dance games, with raffle draws with lots of prizes to be won.  .

The winners of the tournament  were felicitated during the occasion along with the sponsors.  The spouses and the children were thanked for their support and were presented  with valuable gifts.

In his address Jerome Pereira took the opportunity to reminiscence the past and  go through the journey the Club had come along with wonderful memories of the past  - the family bond it had among  the members.  He also requested to carry on the legacy even if the senior members leave the country.
The event was compered by Colin D’Souza – a member of the Club, who handled the procedings professionally.

It is a indeed a Club with a difference, a complete family oriented outfit. 

A game of cricket which started as a small friendly pass time hobby has now established itself as a club to nurture the young talents and a game played for sheer enjoyment all these   years -  the 35 eventful years is a great achievement in itself, which no other private club in the UAE has accomplished and there was every reason to celebrate.

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