SIKKIM CRICKET ASSOCIATION FELICITATES SIKKIM HERMONITES

Revival of Murray Cup and Kalooram Thirani tournaments proposed

Sikkim Hermonites Association President, SP Lamba, being felicitated by Sikkim Cricket Association President, Tika Subba, and ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha MLA, B. Khatiwada. 

At a colourful function of the Sikkim Cricket Association (SICA) at Pakyong’s  Amba village, East Sikkim, yesterday (May 8, 2023), on the occasion of its 36^th Anniversary, SICA President Tika Gurung, while felicitating Sikkim Hermonites, said great progress and achievement in the field of cricket in Sikkim has been partly due to the firm foundation laid by Sikkim Hermonites in the ’80s and ’90s through the annual Murray Cup Cricket Tournament.

   The felicitation citation read: “The Sikkim Cricket Association would like to felicitate and honour you for your great contribution and dedication for the Sikkim Cricket.” The SICA “expresses deep gratitude for your selfless contribution to the association since its inception in 1987. Your tenacity and resilience saw us through the early and challenging years of limited funding, infrastructure and manpower.”

   While thanking SICA, Sikkim Hermonites Association (SHA) President SP Lamba, said, “By honouring us today on this special day we believe that the Sikkim Cricket Association has rightly acknowledged the role of the Sikkim Hermonites in laying a firm foundation to the cricket culture in Sikkim. We are grateful and thankful to the newly-formed Sikkim Cricket Association team led by its President, Mr. Tika Subba, for inviting us and honouring us on this special occasion.”

   Soon after the formation of the Sikkim Hermonites Association in 1984 one of our major engagements was the starting of the annual Murray Cup Cricket Tournament.

   Lamba pointed out that the Murray Cup Cricket Tournament in Sikkim was initiated by Sikkim Hermonites in early 1980s “in memory and honour” of Darjeeling’s Mount Hermon School Principal, Mr. Graeme A. Murray. He said Murray “was an outstanding personality in Darjeeling” and Mt. Hermon Principal from 1964 to 1979. “Mr. Murray was not only a great cricketer himself but also taught cricket to most of the Sikkim Hermonites who took part in the Murray Cup,” SHA President added.

   “Sikkim Cricket Association has done much for development of cricket in Sikkim in the past so many years and decades. It still has many miles to go before cricket becomes as popular as football in the State. If given the opportunity the Sikkim Hermonites Association is ready and willing to help the Sikkim Cricket Association on this matter,” Lamba said.

   He said, “In the interest of further development of cricket in Sikkim we would like to propose the revival of the Murray Cup and Kalooram Thirani Memorial Cricket Tournament in Sikkim.”

   Ruling party MLA from Rhenock, East Sikkim, B. Khatiwada was the Chief Guest on the occasion. He said he would do his best to persuade the State Government to help with infrastructure development at the recently-formed Amba Cricket Academy.

   The 36^th Foundation Day celebration was organized by SICA in collaboration with Pakyong District Cricket Committee and Amba Cricket Academy.