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Vani Mannava's Blogs >> In and around New York Legendary Cricketer Sunil Gavaskar in Edison, New Jersey

Edison Mayor Jun H Choi met with former Indian cricket captain and legendary batsman Sunil M Gavaskar at Edison on Sunday, April 5, 2009. In a short speech, Mr. Jun Choi said, "I have heard a lot about your great skill and countless accomplishments in cricket. I want to welcome you to the Township of Edison. We are honored to have you in our midst."



"I believe in the great power of sport to bring people together. Cricket is played with the same fervour in my township as it is in the rest of the cricket playing world," the Mayor said speaking of the popularity of cricket in Edison. Mayor Choi, who is the Honorary Chairman of Edison Cricket Club, said he was looking forward to a trip to India later this year and hoped to experience the excitement of cricket first-hand.
Sunil Gavaskar, who is regarded as the greatest opening batsman of all time, held many world records during his career including the most runs (10,122) and most test centuries (34). The latter record stood for some two decades before it was broken by his protégé, Sachin Tendulkar, in 2005. Mr. Gavaskar was also the first batsman to cross the 10,000 run barrier.

Sunil Gavaskar, who was a panel speaker at the Wharton India Economic Forum 2009, stopped in New Jersey on his way back to India to catch up with his friends in the area. Following a visit with junior cricketers at DreamCricket Academy - a cricket training facility in New Jersey, Mr. Gavaskar stopped in Edison on the invitation of Atul Huckoo, President of the Edison Cricket Club.

Mr. Gavaskar said he was very impressed with New Jersey's junior cricketers and noted that the next step in the development of cricket in Edison would be to introduce good quality grounds in the area.

Mayor Choi shared his thoughts on the proposed dedicated cricket ground in Edison and asked Mr. Gavaskar for his advice. Mr. Gavaskar felt that priority must be accorded to a square featuring good quality turf wickets and a outfield had to be first class. As for seating, Mr. Gavaskar said tournaments could be held even if there was not a stadium - temporary stands could be arranged and grassy banks could serve as additional seating.

Atul Huckoo noted that Edison could become the regional center for international cricket. Venu Palaparthi, co-founder of DreamCricket.com said that whereas California had four turf wickets and four more were being constructed; and Florida had two good turf wickets, there were no turf wickets in the North East despite its concentration of cricket playing population. Mr. Palaparthi said that there were economic benefits as well, especially because a good cricket ground had the potential to serve as a magnet in the hospitality and events space.

For his part, Mayor Choi shared with Mr. Gavaskar his sense of deep gratitude towards Mr. Atul Huckoo and to Edison Cricket Club for what he thought was a great contribution to the Edison community in general and its sporting and cricket community in particular. Mayor Choi said that it was a great honor to be in the presence of the great sportsman and wished Mr. Gavaskar a happy stay in Edison.

Check out Edison Cricket Club: www.edisoncricketclub.org
Check out Dream Cricket Academy: www.dreamcricket.com
Check out Mayor of Edison Township: www.junchoi.com
Check out Edison Township: www.edisonnj.org

Click here for more Photos of Edison Cricket Club - Apr, 2009 Events