Leytonstone Masjid Lions Victorious at the Youth Cricket Festival 2018
The Leytonstone Masjid Lions Under 11s Cricket team were victorious in the first ever Youth Cricket Festival at the Leyton Sports Ground. The festival saw around 100 young people aged 7-14 take part, from 4 London Boroughs take part in the 8-A-Side, 8 Over, Tape Ball Cricket games and tournaments, with the Leytonstone Masjid Lions returning as champions of the Under 11s tournament.
The festival was led by Sajid Patel, Co-founder of the National Cricket League (NCL) who worked together with several stakeholders including Essex Cricket in the Community, Capital Kids Cricket, Waltham Forest Council, Waltham Forest Faith Communities Forum and many others to organise and manage this unique event. Parents and spectators gathered around the games to watch, support and encourage the young cricketers throughout the matches.
“This is a fantastic achievement, especially as some of our young people have never played before”
~ Irfan Bagas (Team Manager)
The Leytonstone Masjid Lions Under 11s Cricket team was managed by Irfan Bagas. The young people worked as a team scoring runs and taking wickets. Despite some players never having played before, the boys brought home the winners trophy.
Sajid Patel (Co-founder of the NCL) described the festival as an “excellent and successful day” and looks forward to making the Youth Cricket Festival an annual fixture in the calendar for the London Borough of Waltham Forest.
