State Budget Includes Funding for Cricket Field in Troy’s Raintree Park
(State Representative Sharon MacDonnell, July 2, 2023)
Troy, MI – As part of Michigan’s budget process, State Representative Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) has secured state funding to construct a regulation cricket pitch at Raintree Park in Troy. The allocation was included in the state’s annual budget bill, which passed the legislature Wednesday, June 28 and now awaits the signature of Governor Whitmer.
“Cricket is a huge part of the culture all over the world. In a lot of countries, it’s bigger than soccer,” said Troy resident, Sadek Rahman, who managed a local team. “When many South Asians started settling in Troy about 20 years ago, the lack of a cricket field made it hard for us to share this part of our culture with our children. Now this will no longer be an obstacle.”
Today there are dozens of cricket clubs and leagues for youth and adults that play regularly throughout Metro Detroit, but they are forced to use fields not designed for their beloved sport. “We have many recreation facilities in Troy and Oakland County, but despite years of requests from our residents we have not been able to fund a real cricket pitch in our community,” said Rep MacDonell. “I know how important cricket is to our large and vibrant South Asian community, so I’m thrilled to help make this dream a reality.”
In addition to Rep MacDonell’s efforts at the state level, Councilwoman Ann Erickson Gault has been pushing for the funding at the city level for years. “I am thrilled that the cricketers of Troy will soon have a regulation field to play matches here thanks to the advocacy of Rep MacDonell,” Erickson Gault said.
Troy resident Vinodh Mudaliar, president of the Michigan Youth Cricket Academy and longtime advocate for cricket field funding, is excited about the funding. “This couldn’t be possible without the strong support by Rep MacDonell and Councilwoman Erickson Gault. I applaud them for continuing to advocate for the growing cricket community filled by youth and adults and bringing this long-term effort to the finish line,” Mudaliar said. “The new field will make it much easier to hold our matches and championships and share our culture with new generations of kids.”
Learn more about parks and recreation opportunities in Troy at https://rec.troymi.gov/
