By: Surjit Singh Flora
The City of Brampton proudly hosted a special event at Ken Whillans Square on Saturday, May 11. Media and residents were invited to meet some of the talented players from Team Canada, including Jeremy Gordon, Nicholas Kirton, Rayyan Khan Pathan, Saad Bin Zafar, Aaron Orlando Johnson, Dilpreet Singh Bajwa, Rabbjyot Rajput, Saniyah Zia, and Achini Perera. The event also served as an official send-off for Team Canada as they prepared for the upcoming ICC T20 Men’s World Cup Tournament in June. Brampton partnered with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket Canada to bring the prestigious T20 World Cup trophy to the city.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said, “As the cricket capital of Canada, Brampton is honoured to partner with the International Cricket Council in bringing the T20 World Cup Trophy to our city. This event not only showcases our love for cricket but also celebrates the diversity and unity within our community. Let’s rally behind our team as they go for gold!”
Also, Brown said, In the 2024 Budget, the City of Brampton committed to investing $8 million in cricket infrastructure and programming. Beginning July 2, 2024, the City will kick off the first-ever Youth Cricket League. Youth ages six to 15 are encouraged to learn a new sport and improve their cricket skills this summer. This initiative aims to encourage youth to get active, lead healthy lifestyles and experience the power of sport. To register, visit Brampton.ca/cricket. Brampton is home to 19 cricket sites and is growing! Brown added.
Also, Brampton is moving ahead with plans for the city’s first year-round cricket dome in Earnscliffe Park for players to use even in the winter months, the mayor added.
While Brampton South MP Sonia Sidhu said, Cricket is not just a sport; it’s a passion that brings us all together. Today we gathered to send our best wishes to the Canadian Men’s Cricket Team heading to the T20 World Cup. Go team Canada!
Saad Bin Zafar expressed He dedicated himself to a full-time job for twenty years, while also devoting his nights to playing cricket in local leagues without any financial compensation. The Brampton resident had limited opportunities to play professionally.
He began representing the Canadian national team in 2015; unfortunately, this was a year after the team lost its One Day International (ODI) status. According to him, there were no contracts available for cricketers in the country at that time.
Last year marked a significant turning point for the Canadian team. They managed to secure a qualifying World Cup victory in Zimbabwe, which ultimately led to them regaining their ODI status.
For the very first time, the Canadian team has qualified for the T20 men’s World Cup, which will take place in various cities across the U.S. and West Indies from June 1 to 29. Zafar holds the position of captain for Canada.
“It’s finally happening; my dream of playing in the World Cup is coming true,” Zafar exclaimed. “Being a captain and a leader is a position of privilege.”
Local athletes will once again be representing Canada on the world stage when cricketers from Brampton head to the ICC T20 World Cup this year.
The Canadian men’s team is headed to the ICC T20 World Cup for the first time this year with an opening-day match against the United States on June 1, and the city is marking the historic moment with a celebration in Ken Whillans Square.
Combined with cricket’s approval for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Zafar said in November that making the T20 means Canada’s cricket future is looking bright.
“I’m super-happy, super-excited. I look forward to a lot more better things in cricket in the future,” he said. “I’m feeling really positive. I think finally things are working for us.”
