Cricket in Girne in Winter = YES!! (Peshawar Tragedy)

[sophie]

On Sunday 28th December there will be a cricket tournament at the
Pia Bella Stadium, Girne to raise funds for the PESHAWAR TRAGEDY. Here in the TRNC there are Pakistani Bar, Hotel and other workers who went to the school in question and one has had a member of his family shot and killed.

10.00 Opening Ceremony (A minutes silence and Prayers (Namaze Janaza)
10.30 Magusa – v – Lefkosa
11.30 Girne – v – Lefkosa 2nd
12.30 Girne – v – Lefkosa
13.30 Magusa – v – Lefkosa 2nd
14.30 Magusa – v – Girne
15.30 Lefkosa – v – Lefkosa 2nd
17.00 REMEMBERANCE WALK TO GIRNE

Entrance is free. All donations to EDHI Foundation.

I would be grateful if Mods could allow this to be kept on the Open Forum as it will attract more interest and its only for a few days. So get some fresh air, see a bit of sport (you can watch which ever game(s) is most convenient to yourself.)

Thank you.

[Owl Lady]

bttt

[Ragged Robin]

A great idea Sophie. Hope the weather is kind.

For the benefit of those with mobility problems could you please advise:

1. Where is the nearest parking if the spaces opposite Pia Bella on the main road are full?

2. Is there seating in the stadium?

Thanks

[sophie]

Bags of parking at rear of Pia Bella, plus spaces along the side road leading to new harbour and on a patch of ground next to Shooters. As to stadium seating, I can't say. I'm just a go between who has been asked to publicise where I can for them, hence this forum message. I too hope the weather is kind for them, the guys do deserve to have some support.

[Owl Lady]

bttt

[sophie]

BTT please

[ITFCMike]

It`s not really a stadium more a field,easy access,loads of parking near by but you will need to bring your own seats.
Forecast not great though, so it a be back to Rafters beer on Abbas then!

PS

Ipswich Town are going up ohhhhhhhhhh yessssssssssssss

[karmels]

ITFCMike.
This is the Pia Bella football stadium, not a feild.

[Groucho]

It's today for anyone thinking of showing their support...

[Owl Lady]

If I am unable to attend how or where can I make a donation?

[Owl Lady]

Glad it has stayed fine for them, Can anyone answer my question?

[Ceg123]

Nigel is collecting. 0533 8248999

[Owl Lady]

Thanks Ceg123 will arrange that

[sophie]

Unfortunately we were never going to be in a position to attend any of the matches today, but I was praying the weather was going to be kind. As we drove past at 4.30 there did seem to be a lot of cars parked down the side road, so I hope they had some good support.

[Ragged Robin]

I went for a short while and it was great. Not exactly Lords, and the style of batting and bowling restricted by limited time and consequently limited over matches, but not just "village cricket" either. it reminded me of my long lost teens living in Cambridge which I used to watch "Varsity" matches picnicking on the grounds a t Fenners. And apart from the good cause it was great to see these young men, away from home and family, in a strange country, enjoying a healthy outdooractivity in their spare time and behaving with good manners and professionalism which would put many a star professional sportsman to shame! My congratulations to the players and those who have helped introduce cricket to N. Cyprus. Now I "know the ropes" I shall certainly try to watch future matches.

Only sad that there were so few supporters - I hope more turned up in the afternoon.

On the downside for me the morning was slightly spoiled by the unnecessary hassle to get there. I parked behind Pia Bella and had a struggle carrying a folding chair (actually a wheeled shopping trolley that open as a seat) on uneven levels and onlymanaged the very steep steps to the ground from the entrance opposite Pia Bella with the kind help or an elderly Cypriot gentleman on entrance and some Pakistani youths on leaving.

For the benefit of any others with mobility problems it turns out there is in fact a very large car park at the side of the grounds - at the roundabout take the road leading to the new harbour and it is the first turning on the left. There is also a wheelchair ramp at the entrance opposite Pia Bella but again it is so steep that I imagine it would take some strength to use it with a manually operated wheelchair. Seating was provided by stands normally used for the football matches borrowed and put out by kindly volunteers. They were adequate for me for a short time, but anyone with different or more serious infirmity might consider taking cushions.

I am going to do a separate post on the subject, but I would take this opportunity to appeal to those who arrange or advertise functions (particularly for the benefit of Charity) to extend their kindness to those who are not so fit and healthy by giving details of facilities, accessibiltiy and and parking etc. (or if necessary lack of them since few things are more discouraging than spending time and money going to a function and finding it inaccessible or too uncomfortable )

[sophie]

I'm sorry Ragged Robn if you felt you were given insufficient information as to mobility problems, but I can only repeat that I was given one poster to put up publically which I did. I took it upon myself to advertise the event on this forum, thinking it would help them. Never having been to the stadium myself I just gave the basics as given to me. I understand the Cyprus Cricket Association (based down South) is beginning to grow in size and interest and there was a picture and an article in the C2D dated 20th December. It would be good to have this sport grow in popularity here in the North wouldn't it?

[Ragged Robin]

Sophie: I wasn't getting at you specificially, it is always happening. I North Cyprus is not really a good place for disability, and the lifestyle of those with even minor problems would be so much improved if people would just take a little thought to providing information which might help them be less excluded particularly from Charities to which given some consideration they might be able to make a contribution. But is a large subject and when I have more time I will do a general post on it and see if I can get anyone interested in providing info about disability friendly (and unfriendly) venues and also impute from people with different problems on what they need. Perhaps if Soner or one of the mods is reading this they could give some thought to providing a space for people with physical disabilities or informaties and for example those ontheir own or without transport could exchange views and experiences.

Yes I agree I would like to see more cricket, but I doubt it will gain much popularity here. What I really liked about Sunday was the old fashioned casual and informal atmosphere and the lack of contention: unlike the razmataz and stress which seems to surround many sports.(no-one swore at the umpire, threw their racket over the net, or broke their clubs in half!)

[Oops]

First of all, thank you Sophie so much for the original posting & all those that kept BTT & sent good wishes ( and a donation, Owl Lady, thank you )
We were blessed with perfect weather & the tournament went without a hitch from the opening prayers to the last match just before dusk. The competition was drawn between Girne & Cyprus Lions from Lefkosa but it was not about winning, it was all about the community & all those poor children.

It was great to meet you Ragged Robin, sorry I didn't have more time to speak to you on the day but I will let you know about future matches, the accessibility & car parking.

To keep the awful events fresh in peoples minds we had very limited time to arrange yesterdays matches, advertising was difficult because of Christmas & our family commitments but we had a great crowd throughout the day & everyone had fun. Please check out the forums, newspapers, facebook & our website, http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/turkishre ... ricketclub for more details of future fixtures.

The Pakistan community of North Cyprus would like to thank everyone from their hearts for all the very, very generous donations totaling to date, 3620TL, this will be passed on to the Edhi Foundation a very well respected charity in Peshawar.

The TRNC CC have another match on Jan. 11th, at a venue to be confirmed ( we are at the mercy of the football association ) against Nicosia CC which will be the decider match for the Creditwest League Cup.

[Oops]

Sorry, website should read - http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/turkishre ... ricketclub
Facebook is - Turkish Republic Of Northern Cyprus Cricket Club

[Ragged Robin]

Nice to meet you too, Oops, and hope to see you at more matches in Girne, sorry I could not stay longer, but I have three dogs at home (one every old and not very well on Sunday) at home, and couldn't leave them too long. Thanks to all concerned however for a pleasant outing for a good cause.

I have bookmarked the Website, but unfortunately cant log on as I dont want to get involved with Facebook, so would be grateful for info re future matches.

[Marions]

Please note that the report from Nigel is on here under 'news' Cricket fans, - do read please.

By the way, we watched form afar. No way Alan can get across the field to sit down, and we could not bring a chair for him. So we sat at Avanti and listened to the cheers. We don't expect there to be special facilities, as this costs money, so we take what we can when we can. But to all accounts it was a great dya and raised lots of lovely money(of which, I hope Oops, will post more!

[Ragged Robin]

Marion: As I said in my earlier post, there is a car park at the side of the Ground off the New Harbour road, and it may be easier access to another view point. I didnt have time to check (and I had walked enough) but next time I get a chance I will check it out and let you know. If you get there first let me know!

AS I also said they had put out bench seats with shade over. These were at the far end of the ground from Pia Bella, but facing South which was very pleasant at this time of year, would be very hot in summer so maybe they will be in a different position next time.

I am sorry you dont feel the disadvantaged should be included in activities: it is very often not a matter of money but of thought and planning or as my experience on this occasion not knowing what was actually available.

[Marions]

Thanks RR. I know the area well, and it is too far for Alan to walk over there. We just accept that. One day no doubt he will be in a wheelchair and then I can push him hither and thither, but for now it is something we don't want, so his walking is very limited. Also he cannot sit down anywhere without being assured he can get back up again.

It is not so much that I am not concerned about the disadvantages, I just accept that Cyprus is a bit like the London of my childhood and one accepts the status quo. It will change, but probably not in Alan's lifetime. There are simply places that Alan cannot (and will not) go. Not complaining - just accept it. So thanks for your offer, but I do know the other entrance to the 'park' is opposite Shooters coffee bar (another of our haunts0 but the vantage point from Avanti's is far better.

[Ragged Robin]

Marion I am sorry , I dont want to get involved in an argument, particularly on this sensitive subject, but I don't accept that we should accept hat we should sit back and accept that disadvantaged people or frail elderly should be excluded from the good things of life. North Cyprus is changing in so many ways - and not all for the good - we should be pressing for these changes to take account of ALL residents particularly the disabled.

While I am sorry Alan's condition is so bad, at least he has you to help. Some have to manage on their own. tthat there are many people with disadvantages who are far younger than Alan and I: should they be expected to face a lifetime of exclusion "the status quo"?
Of course all the problems vary, in this case it would have been within my limited capabilities if I had known the shorter, less steep route and that seating was provided -I am not blaming the organisers or poster in this particular case because it was of necessity arranged in a hurry, but there are so many similar cases where exclusion is unnecessary because of lack of thought.

However we are going well off topic, and it is New Year's Eve. As I said before I think it would be good to have a section of this Forum for those with such problems to explain their needs and exchange advice., but I have to cope with some unrelated problems first, and I hope one of the Mods will have the Charity to help then.

Meanwhile best wishes for the New Year to you and Alan and all on Kibcom.