Apeejay School, Faridabad hosts a thrilling cricket match 

The atmosphere at Apeejay School, Faridabad, Sector 15, buzzed with excitement as the third edition of the Apeejay School Faridabad Alumni Cricket League (ASFACL) kicked off, uniting alumni, current students, and staff in a thrilling display of camaraderie and cricketing excellence.

A Grand Reunion of Alumni

This year’s reunion saw over 75 alumni from batches as early as 1998, divided into five competitive teams: Mighty Tigers, Sons of Pitches, White Wizards, Challengers 11, and Top Guns. Each team, consisting of 15 players, brought together a mix of talent and fond memories from their school days. Alongside, the current school team, Apeejay 11, made up of students from Class 9 to 12, also participated, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.

A Festive Opening Ceremony

The event commenced with a heartfelt ceremony honouring Principal Mrs. Snehlata Krishnan and Mrs. Deepa Sharma, the Academic Coordinator. Banpreet Bindra (2010 batch), the event organiser, led the tributes, offering tokens of respect to the school’s leadership.

Principal Ma’am, known for her dedication to fostering a nurturing environment, delivered an inspiring speech emphasising the importance of sportsmanship and the unbreakable bonds formed through shared experiences. She highlighted how sports teach essential life values such as discipline, collaboration, empathy, and tolerance—qualities that are vital for both current students and alumni.

“It feels like a festival season for us – a time for you all to meet me and my young ones. I see you as a role model for them. When we talk about sports, they come with numerous lessons. Sports teach discipline, collaboration, cooperation, empathy, and tolerance. These are values I wish for my children to learn as well. This is a wonderful opportunity for my young ones to gain insights from you in a deeper sense. Preaching is important, but showcasing and expressing these values through actions will leave a lasting impact on them.” 

To mark the opening, the Principal and Academic Coordinator jointly bowled the first ball of the tournament, symbolising the unity of past and present generations.

In the first match, Apeejay 11 faced off against the combined alumni team, ASFA 11. Winning the toss, Apeejay 11 elected to bat. Despite their spirited performance, ASFA 11 emerged victorious in this contested game.

Amanpreet Singh, an alumnus from the 2018 batch, reflected on the emotional significance of returning to their alma mater: “ASFACL has always been an emotional connection for us. Since we were kids, we’ve seen people playing here. Playing here at Apeejay School, meeting teachers, and everyone is a very emotional moment for all of us. The Apeejay team and the kids are great.”

Thrilling Matches and Rising Stars

The tournament unfolded over two days of fierce competition, showcasing outstanding cricketing talent from all teams. The players delivered nail-biting moments, from big hits to stunning catches, and fierce bowling spells.

Kavyansh, a Class 9 student from Apeejay School, Faridabad, reflected on his team’s experience, “It was a great experience. We learned many valuable lessons from our seniors. However, we didn’t quite meet our expectations. But overall, we gained a lot from this experience.”

A Class 12 student Aarav Sharma emphasised the learning aspect of the tournament. “It was all about learning. We came here to improve and put on a good performance, and we did just that. We have gained many valuable lessons and takeaways from this game. If we return next year, we are confident of delivering another strong performance,” he said. 

The championship match between Top Guns and White Wizards was a spectacular showdown, leaving the spectators in awe. In the end, the Top Guns emerged as the champions of the league, while the White Wizards secured the runners-up position.

Award Winners

Shivang Bhatia was recognised as the Best Batsman for his remarkable innings. Shivam claimed the Best Bowler award for his impressive spells. Mrinal Prasad stood out as the Best Fielder of the tournament.

Shivang Bhatia was awarded the Player of the Tournament for his exceptional all-round contributions.

Kshitij Anand received the Emerging Player of the Tournament award, highlighting his promise for the future.

In addition, 12 players were honored with the prestigious Man of the Match awards, acknowledging their standout performances in various encounters.

Banpreet Bindra, from the 2010 batch and the event organiser, shared his sentiments, “I also play cricket regularly, and it’s my passion that has inspired me to organise this tournament, bringing together all the alumni. It feels like a 2-day festival where we all come together and enjoy. Many players are now working across India, with some traveling from Bangalore and even a few cricketers coming from outside the country. So, it truly feels like a festival season for us.”

He further highlighted a few key players who have emerged from Apeejay School, Faridabad. “Akash, who has represented Haryana and played at the state level. Another key player, Ankit Khera, may not be playing this season but is regularly part of the Challengers team and currently plays in Australia’s Big Bash League. Shivang Bhatia, who is representing India at ESPN-level cricket, adds to the cricketing excellence here,” he shared.

Another alumni from 2020 batch Kshitij Anand mentioned, “ASFACL has always been a valuable experience for us. It’s always great to connect with teachers and batchmates. So, it’s truly a wonderful experience. And it was fantastic to play with the youngsters. They hold great potential, and I wish them all the best for the future.”

The closing ceremony was a heartwarming tribute to all participants, recognising their efforts and achievements. Mrs. Deepa Sharma presented trophies and medals to the winning Top Guns and runners-up White Wizards, celebrating the spirit of competition and unity.

Banpreet Bindra, along with the organising committee, extended heartfelt thanks to the school management, staff, and all alumni for their unwavering support in making the event a resounding success. The ASFACL Season 3 not only showcased cricketing brilliance but also reinforced the bonds of friendship, proving that once an Apeejayite, always an Apeejayite.

As the tournament concluded, the excitement and anticipation for the next season lingered, leaving everyone eager to return to the field once more.