GATeS Cricket Carnival in Atlanta: Where Cricket Meets Community Excellence

The Greater Atlanta Telangana Society (GATeS) has reached a new pinnacle in community engagement with the successful conclusion of the G.S. Reddy Memorial Cricket Trophy. Held on March 21st and 22nd, 2026, the two-day carnival united athletes and families for an unforgettable weekend of competition on and sportsmanship.

GATeS would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Forsyth County for the opportunity to host this tournament in the County’s Rock Creek Park in Dawsonville, Georgia. The event saw a massive turnout, with around 300 players participating in a total of 52 games conducted over the two days.

A Historic Milestone for Women’s Athletics

This year’s tournament marked a monumental first for the organization on: the debut of the first-ever GATeS Women’s Cricket Tournament. Four pioneering women’s teams “Desi Smashers, Fire birds, Super Novas and Wonder Women” took to the pitch,
demonstrating incredible skill and determination on.

This inaugural league represents a significant stride in GATeS mission to empower women and diversify its community initiatives. On the morning of March 22nd, current board members Jyothsna Palakurthy and Geetha Narannagari officially welcomed these teams and initiated the games with the ceremonial coin toss.

Record Participation and Spirit

The men’s division saw an extraordinary turnout, with 27 teams competing for the prestigious memorial trophy. The ac on began on the afternoon of March 21st when current GATeS President Ramana Gandra welcomed the players and opened the games. Throughout the weekend, the “true spirit of the game” was evident as players across both leagues showcased exceptional grit and sportsmanship. The atmosphere was electric, energized by a vibrant crowd that filled the park to support their local heroes.

Honoring a Legacy

Under the dedicated leadership of the GATeS Team 2026, the Cricket Carnival has solidified its status as a signature event for the organization. The tournament’s success driven by the board’s hard work and the participants passion serves as a fitting tribute to the memory of beloved founder, the Late G.S. Reddy Garu. At the event’s conclusion, trophies were presented to the winners by sponsor Sunil Gotoor and Ramana Gandra, alongside all participating board members.

A Special Note of Gratitude to Our Women’s Teams

To the four teams that made history this weekend: thank you for your courage, your talent, and your incredible energy. You didn’t just play a game; you broke new ground for the GATeS community. Your participation on has set a powerful example for future generations, and we are honored to have had you lead the way in our inaugural women’s tournament.

Greater Atlanta Telangana Society (GATeS) look forward to seeing your continued growth and leadership on and off the field. A special shout-out is reserved for Madhukar Reddy Patel and Sharath Gandra for spending countless hours in planning and executing the event.

Leadership, Volunteers, and Community Support

The GATeS 2026 team representation on including Current Board President Ramana Gandra, Board Chairman Jyothsna Palakurthy, Event Secretary Geetha Narannagari, Vice President Kirthidhar Goud Chekkilla, General Secretary Raghuveer Reddy Gadipally, Treasurer Ramakrishna Gandra, Technology Secretary Anil Kushnapally, Cultural Secretary Sharath Gandra, Media Secretary Chandrashekar Altha, Sports Secretary Madhukar Reddy Patel, and Board of Directors Vijay Vinjamara, Dinesh Dunthula, Ranjith Koda, Hemanth Palla, and Raveender Dasarapu all participated to ensure games took place on me and managed all essential logistics.

The event’s success was further bolstered by the support of past
leadership and selfless volunteers:

• Past Leadership: GATeS Current Board thanks Nanda Chatla, Sunil Gotoor, Sandeep Reddy Gundla, Naveen Battini, and Naveen Vujjini for their support and encouragement.
• Volunteers: A heartfelt thank you goes to Prasad Abbagani, Shekar Gudi, Siva Vanga, Prakash Panugan, Aravind Kanaparthi, Anil Chintala, Raghu Kandi, R.G.Reddy, Srinivas Vemula, Girish Kumar Pinumalla, and Anand Bukka for their dedicated service.
• Player Participation: Many players from competing teams also stepped up to assist with umpiring activities throughout the weekend. Spectators and players enjoyed a festive atmosphere and a spirited crowd, with on-site food provided by Biryani Pot.

Tournament Results
Women’s Division
Winner: FireBirds
Runner Up: Desi Smashers
Men’s Division
Winners: OG’S
Runner Up: Astra Cricket Club
3rd Position: Waterford Warriors

Congratulations to Our Champions and Participants

A massive congratulations to tournament winners and runners-up! Your skill on the field was matched only by your dedication to the game. To every single player who stepped onto the pitch: thank you. Your energy, enthusiasm, and competitive spirit are what transformed this tournament into a true community celebration. Whether you took home a trophy or played your first-ever match, you are all part of the success of GATeS 2026.