Gujarati Metropolitan Cricket League (GMCL) Annual Function 2009 on the 1st November 2009, London, England, a new award was introduced, Secretary of the Year Award, what’s the role for being Secretary of an organisation, keeping minutes for various meeting, updating the Website, registrations update, accounts, ground bookings, ensuring that players are informed on where they playing through the league handbook, I can carry on & on, it basically the operation of a whole Cricket Club & managing Club affairs.

The nominee’s for becoming the very first GMCL Secretary of the Year 2009 were Haroon Raja of Prince Cricket Club, (Myself) Sajid Patel (Boriyawala) of Leytonstone Youth Cricket Club & Iqbal Sarpanch of Kothi Cricket Club.

To give the presentation, Mike Chapman, former Essex County Cricket Board Facilities was called on stage.

The Award went to (me) Sajid Patel (Boriyawala) of Leytonstone Youth Cricket Club.

I’m here to tell you my thoughts about the whole thing.

“When I looked at the agendas of the whole programme, I couldn’t notice that the League has introduced new awards in this year’s annual function, when my name was announced as one of the nominee’s, along with other top Secretaries in the League, I felt Iqbal Sarpanch was going to get this award as he also deserves it, but when my name was announced as GMCL Secretary of the Year 2009, I couldn’t believe it that I was going on Stage & collecting the award on the behalf of my Club & in front of Media such as ARY, Zee, Eastern Eye, Gujarat Samachar, it was an unbelievable feeling, I have worked hard for the Cricket Club since 2004, being only the third winning all the Trophies in the League but doing it in a short spell of time is already an achievement, not only that, the successful Cricket Academy which we launched in November 2008 & the year has gone by & the Cricket Academy has developed averaging 20-25 Young players attending the session from the ages of 13 years to 19 years. I like to thank all 3 Team Captains, Nahed Patel (1st XI), Jabir Patel (2nd XI) & Sarfraz Boriyawala (3rd XI) for working hard round me in helping in contacting the players, support me in the registrations & financially by collecting member fees from the players to cover the cost of the operation of the Club, I also like to thank all the players who have played their part in commitment to our teams on the Sunday & also their performances, I also like to thank my dad Dilawar Patel & also Juned Bhai Patel, they both inspiration figures as Dad started operated Leytonstone Cricket Club since 1968, Juned Patel was involved in 1990 along with my Dad, 2004 is when I took over and formed Leytonstone Youth Cricket Club, to continue the legacy. I also got inspiration from a legend in my books, and that is my Grandfather I’ve grown up with Gulam Thakor, he is indeed a great ambassador to the people of Nabipur aswell as the Gujarati Community. I know I was awarded GMCL Secretary of the Year 2009, but without these inspirational figures & guidance, I wouldn’t have done it without them & it’s an honour and privilege to get this award & hoping I will be in the running for this award next season”.

Thank you very much to you all for reading this article.