The quiet village of Mendez, which is situated between Mon Diablo and Quinam in the southland, is fast becoming the envy of many communities across T&T. The village in the deep south has been the epitome of love and togetherness, two rare qualities today, such is the unbearable crime rate in T&T.
Only last week the village completed the fourth edition of the Mendes Sports Club Windball Cricket Competition which was nothing short of a family affair. The ten-overs-a-side competition saw All Stars beating Doggie Style by 12 runs in the final.
This was followed by a presentation of trophies and medals to the winners and runners up as well as special prizes to a number of players. Chief organiser Franklyn Hansraj said the tournament was held for villagers only.
“No one living outside of the Mendez village can participate because it is designed specifically towards building unity and love and for villagers to enjoy the cameraderie among each other,” Hansraj explained. He said all teams were made up of men, women and children and as such the rules were made carefully to protect them.
According to Hansraj: “When women are batting, then the men will have to bowl a certain way, such as under hand. However if men are batting when women are bowling then the men will have to bat left handed or with their weak hand. “So the tournament is specifically designed for the families in Mendez village to have a good time,” Hansraj noted.
Ten teams took part in the tournament which was a round robin affair. The teams were All Stars, Doggie Style, Hernandez Trace, Mendez Youth, White Oak Stars, Branch Road One, Branch Road Two, Independence Sports Club, Kassim and Family and Rampagat Trace.
They played over 50 matches in two months and at the end All Stars and Doggie Style progressed. Trophies and medals were given out to all players with special prizes to the women and children.
Hansraj said for the first time this year his organisation also distributed tokens to children who excelled at the Caribbean Secondary Educational Certificate (CSEC).
Meanwhile, Fizes Hosein, the president of the International Sports and Cultural Academy (ISACA) and D’ Biggest Educational, Sporting Technology Inc presented bats and other sporting equipment to a number of young promising players.
Hansraj told the Guardian that his orgainsation specifically arranges a number of events to keep the community close. He said they will next hold a Christmas party and treats for the children to be followed by others events for Carnival and Easter.