Khurram Syed was recently recognized by Federation of Indian Association of Chicago (FIA) with the Distinguished Community Service Excellence Award for his contribution towards development of Cricket in USA and his efforts in promoting the sport among youth.

By Sunil Kumar (Media Representative, Central East Region, USACA)

Khurram Syed was recently recognized by Federation of Indian Associations of Chicago (FIA) with the Distinguished Community Service Excellence Award for his contribution towards development of Cricket in USA and his efforts in promoting the sport among youth. 

Pic: Khurram Syed (second from left), receiving his FIA award.

Khurram had the great honor of receiving this prestigious award from Honorable Illinois Senator Dan Rutherford (53rd District). FIA recognizes individuals whose actions or service have had a wonderful influence over the society through their distinguished service in a chosen field which includes sports.

In a media statement, USACA Central East Region appreciated the support of the FIA of Chicago and noted: "FIA have always stood beyond the boundary and have been silent but serious about observing the growth of this wonderful sport. It is their cognizance and admiration of this development that Khurram has today been recognized."

Khurram had his early education in Hyderabad, India where he had the opportunity to play cricket alongside the likes of erstwhile Indian Cricket Captain and one of world’s most admired batsmen - Mohammed Azharuddin.  Khurram took a serious liking for his cricketing hero S. Venkataraghavan - a spin legend from India and started pursuing his style of bowling.

After arriving in US, Khurram pursued his studies and was away from cricket for over 10 years.  However once the passion was re-ignited there was no looking back.

Khurram has played many a role in ensuring the development of cricket in USA. He toured with the Central East Region team to Hyderabad twice, once in 2004 and once in 2005. He also had the opportunity to be part of the Under 19 World Cup USA Team as its Media and Liason officer in 2005.   Khurram also took the team from US to participate in the prestigious Moin-ud-Dowla Cricket Gold Cup in Hyderabad for 2006 and 2007.

Khurram has been consistently organizing cricket coaching camps and ensured that his wards benefited by the presence of international cricketing starts like Karsan Ghavri.  For the last over 4 years he has been running Summer Camps for Under 12 kids in the Schaumburg Park District. In 2007 on behalf of FIA, he organized a match between Mohd. Azharuddin XI and Rizwan-uz-Zaman XI; this was a match played for a humanitarian cause, a game to benefit those who had been affected by the Gujarat Earth Quake and was attended by diplomats and dignitaries including the then Indian High Commissioner, the Pakistan High Commissioner and few very high profile personalities from Chicago.

The zeal and commitment with which Khurram went about this event showed the human side of his wonderful personality.

In a note of thanks upon receiving the FIA honor, Mr. Khurram Syed said: “It is and will always be my mother who has inspired me, my family and my friends, a highly educated lady who could any day instill the sense of confidence to go and succeed on anyone who sought her advise.”  He was  thankful for the support he received from his wife and three wonderful daughters who have been an inspiration for him to go out and do what he likes best – cricket. 

Khurram thanked USACA Regional Representative Masood Akthar, Ifthekar Shareef (Past President FIA and President NBD BankCard),  and Keerti P (an FIA Member).

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