A celebration of cricket, culture and friendship between Australia and India is coming to Blacktown City as part of a carnival called Cricket Mela (Hindi for ‘fair’ or ‘festival’).
Marking the Indian mens and womens teams’ tours of Australia this summer, the event will offer cricket action, cultural performances, children’s activities and more at Blacktown International Sports Park on Sunday 8 December.
Blacktown City has a thriving Indian community and thousands of people are expected to take advantage of the festivities.
Council will curate the event in partnership with the NSW Government, the Centre for Australia India Relations, Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW.
A lifelong fan of the sport, Mayor Bunting was excited about the tour and the chance to share the fun with the community.
“We have a large Indian community in Blacktown City, and I know many are looking forward to Australia and India’s rivalry continuing on the pitch,” he said.
“Cricket Mela is an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate our shared love of the game, as well as the bond between our countries.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns said: “Everyone in NSW is excited by the coming Test series between Australia and India.
“This summer of cricket will see two of the greatest cricketing nations locked in one of the oldest rivalries on the sporting field. You won’t want to miss this.
“That’s why we are supporting the Cricket Mela in Blacktown. So that everyone in our city, particularly the huge diaspora in Western Sydney, are able to watch and celebrate world class cricket.”
Centre for Australia-India Relations CEO Tim Thomas said: “We are excited to join the Western Sydney community to kick off an incredible summer with Cricket Mela in Blacktown. “
“Throughout the next few months, the Centre for Australia-India Relations will work with Cricket Australia and state governments to make the most of the huge interest in the cricket. This interest can help to deepen business, community and cultural connections between Australia and India.”
Cricket activities, children’s rides, and a host of sporting groups will be part of the carnival atmosphere.
Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer Nick Hockley said: “Cricket Mela brings Western Sydney together to celebrate a shared passion for cricket and community, while enjoying the Border Gavaskar Trophy Series and many other fun activities.
“We greatly appreciate the support of Blacktown City Council, the NSW Government, the Centre for Australia-India Relations and Cricket NSW to deliver this fantastic initiative, a headline event in the Summer of Cricket”.
Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon said: “This cricket season, registered participants of South Asian heritage make up 23.6% of all cricket participants, bringing the total across NSW to 24,495 year-to-date.
“At Cricket NSW, our purpose is to inspire everyone to play and love cricket. This growth reflects how our inclusive sport brings communities together through a shared passion.
“On Sunday December 8, we encourage the community to bring family and friends to Blacktown to meet Sydney Thunder players, enjoy some great culture, food and cricket.”
Schofields resident Krunal Patel is among the fans looking forward to the event.
An Australian of Indian heritage, he and his wife are raising two keen cricketers in their adopted homeland.
“Australia and India are cricket-loving nations and the game brings our cultures together,” he said.
“Cricket is a bridge between our two strong, democratic countries.”
Cricket Mela is free and you can book a ticket through the Council website at www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/mela Cricket Mela will be held across the 2 ovals at the Blacktown International Sportspark and gates will open at 2.30 pm.
