NLIT raised $7,000 for four local charities on Friday by introducing a fundraising component to an annual cricket tournament, re-christened “NLIT Cricket for A Cause.” More than 90 players entered the arena and bowled and batted to secure the lion’s share of the pot for their assigned local charities.
The much-awaited 3rd Annual NLIT Cricket Tournament took place at Dog River Park in Montpelier. Spirits ran high, everyone chowed down on delicious Indian food, and four needy local charities got some much welcome support. Each of the four teams was randomly assigned to represent one of four charities recommended by the National Life Foundation, with the charities receiving a portion of the total funds raised based on how their corresponding team fared in the competition.
The four teams that competed in the tournament were the NLIT Super Kings captained by Magesh Elangovan, the CrickIT Monsters captained by Alex Serov, the Fire Dragons captained by Mike Barone, and Montpelier Thunder captained by RaghavaRao Sodabathina.
The first match of the day took place between the Fire Dragons and the NLIT Super Kings. Both teams fought hard, but the NLIT Super Kings emerged the winners and advanced to the finals. Next, the CrickIT Monsters and Montpelier Thunder went head-to-head in a last-second thriller, with Montpelier Thunder narrowly winning the match with only one ball to spare. After a quick (yet delicious) food break, the final match of the tournament began between Montpelier Thunder and the NLIT Super Kings. The NLIT Super Kings put up a great fight, but the power bowlers of Montpelier Thunder were too much for them to handle. Montpelier Thunder raced away to a tournament victory, and ecstatically received the coveted golden cricket trophy.
The winnings –aside from the much coveted trophy – were distributed as follows:
• 45%: Montpelier Thunder – Vermont Branch of the American Red Cross – $3,150
• 25%: NLIT Super Kings – Vermont Foodbank – $1,750
• 15%: CrickIT Monsters – Committee on Temporary Shelter – $1,050
• 15%: Fire Dragons – Central Vermont Humane Society – $1,050
Throughout the day, we witnessed feats of heroic athleticism, strategic and tactical captaining, and commendable sportsmanship. Cited by many as their favorite event of the year, NLIT Cricket for a Cause was a huge success – lots of fun, lots of Doing Good, and winners all around.
Thanks to NLIT News for this article.
