Hyderabad: Nostalgia, camaraderie and cherished memories of the cricketing days of yesteryears marked a special reunion of Hyderabad’s media cricketers, as around 20 former players came together to relive their shared experiences, celebrate their lasting bonds and pay tribute to those who helped build a vibrant sporting culture among media professionals.
The reunion also provided an occasion to felicitate former Medinova Director Alluri Viswanath, whose encouragement and sponsorship were instrumental in organising the first-ever All India Inter-Press Club Cricket Tournament. The initiative was spearheaded by Mulugu Somasekhar, then Secretary of the Hyderabad Press Club, along with MS Shanker, who was its Treasurer at the time.
Several participants at the reunion had represented the Press Club and the combined Media Cricket team in the inaugural Medinova Trophy, besides competing in numerous Inter-Press Club and other corporate tournaments. The gathering was an opportunity to recall not just their victories on the field but also the friendships and enduring associations forged through the game.
Adding further lustre to the reunion was the presence of three former Hyderabad Ranji cricketers – Noshir Mehta, Jyothi Prasad and Maheshwar Singh, besides K Saibaba – who have consistently stood by the media cricket teams at every level over the years. Their association with the fraternity and their continued encouragement made their presence particularly special, lighting up the reunion and bringing back memories of many memorable cricketing encounters.
The participants also fondly recalled the pioneering role played by the Hyderabad Press Club, in association with its counterpart, the Bengaluru Press Club, in promoting sporting activities among media professionals. Besides cricket, the initiative encouraged participation in indoor games such as table tennis and carroms, providing journalists and other media personnel with opportunities to interact beyond their professional commitments.
One of the proudest milestones for Hyderabad’s media cricket fraternity was organising the first-ever SAARC Media Cricket Tournament, featuring teams from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The Hyderabad media team not only hosted the landmark tournament but also emerged as its inaugural champions, adding another memorable chapter to its sporting history.
The Media Cricket team brought together a diverse group of professionals, including journalists, sportswriters, advertising personnel, engineers from newspaper establishments and news agencies, and members of the electronic media. Their common passion for cricket transcended professional boundaries and helped create a close-knit sporting fraternity.
Veteran sports journalists and media personalities, including Valentine Wilson, Jagannadh Das, V.V. Subramanyam, Paul Benjamin, Abhijit Sen, Rajaraman, Bobbili Vijay Kumar, R. Kaushi, Tulasi Krishna (who also scored a century in the Medinova finals at Eden Gardens, the iconic grounds) and Solomon, among others, played an active role in representing the team and extending their support to its activities.
The reunion also acknowledged the contributions of Leonal Justine, former UNI engineer; senior journalist MS Shanker; and K. Saibaba, former Ranji cricketer and founder of the Sports Coaching Foundation, which has won several laurels, including the prestigious Presidential Award and other international honours. Their sustained involvement, dedication and commitment to the game played a significant role in helping the team compete successfully and win several trophies over the years.
However, the participants were unanimous that much of this sporting journey would not have been possible without the generous encouragement and support of Alluri Viswanath. A chartered accountant turned author and successful entrepreneur, Viswanath has also been widely associated with philanthropic and intellectual initiatives, particularly the promotion of the philosophy and teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti.
The reunion was therefore not merely a gathering of former cricketers but a celebration of an era when professional camaraderie, sporting spirit and collective enthusiasm brought the media fraternity together. For those who once shared the dressing room and the cricket field, the memories remain as enduring as the friendships they forged.
s strong as the memories of their victories.
