RUN RIDERS, started as a Malayalee Club/Team, has been present in Calgary for over a decade as part of the historic Calgary and District Cricket League (C&DCL) that has a tradition of over a hundred years. Fr. Jimmy Putananickel led in launching the current “Calgary Run Riders” in 2012. Prior to that, we played in the C&DCL Weekday League for two years under the name “Southern Chargers” under the leadership of Joe Sebastian. The initiative, which started with the idea of ​​exercise with entertainment after work in the evenings, quickly put wings and spread. Literally, things became serious.

The Malayalee team, which was formed with 9 players who are required to play in the C&DCL League, today has over 35 members with no borders of language and country and continues to play today with 2 teams (Alpha & Beta). The use of Malayalam as the main language to devise strategies and communicate in a way that the opponents do not understand during the game was only unique to us. The exciting journey from weekdays now stands at the T20, 35 overs championship, and 50 overs championship finals.

The Run Riders suddenly gained the attention and respect of other teams mainly due to their performance on the field. In 2015, the Run Riders team accepted the invitation from the Crown CC (Cricket Club) and began playing C&DCL professional league matches under the name “Crown Run Riders”. We later joined the Calgary Cricket Academy (CCA) club in 2019 and played T20, 35, and 50 as two teams under the names “CCA Run Riders Alpha” and “CCA Run Riders Beta”.

In 2020, the two teams came together again trying to reach the next level of heights, the world saw the epidemic as a roadblock and also impacted our teams too. Team Alpha and Beta advanced though to be group Leaders despite the limited competition of the three-team T20 Mini League under strict COVID Protocols. Team Alpha has crowned the Champions in Group G.

In January 2020, Calgary-McCall MLA Irfan Sabir and Calgary City Council member George Chahal were the chief guests at the C&DCL hosted Annual Banquet, and at the awards ceremony, the Run Riders team members captured a string of awards. The Calgary Run Riders had the best wicketkeeper, best all-rounder, and best fielder trophies in.

The Run Riders are as loyal to Canada as they are to their motherland, India, and is shown in their efforts to lead various volunteer and charitable causes. In 2019, team members lead in serving food at the Pelican Foundation, which was run by Fr. Prince Mookkanottil. In 2020, even during the pandemic situation, a blood donation camp was organized at the Canadian Blood Services on September 5 after the end of the short 2020 season.

Many non-Keralites have joined the team for many years, as they want to play with a disciplined Run Riders team. The Ride Riders Club still maintains an effort to create a platform for Calgary cricket lovers of all races, religions, languages ​​, and nationalities to play and excel at the league level. In addition to the existing Alpha and Beta teams, the Ride Riders Club wants to expand to new teams as well as not just focus on cricket, but a full-fledged sports club that includes soccer, volleyball, and badminton. I humbly request the continued support of all for this.

Run Riders has taken up a huge stride forward and registered a club of its own in 2021. Anyone interested in joining Run Riders or get more information or to check on club sponsorship opportunities, please contact – George Mathews – 403 922 2223 / Sandeep Sam Alexander – 403 891 5194.