Cricket in Panama have been played for more than 85 years. it
started when when West Indian labourers came here for the
construction of the Panama Canal.
There also was a team representing the English Embassy in Panama.
At that time when the English boats that were on transit across
the Panama Canal stopped for refueling, the crew used that time
to play cricket with teams that were established here.
Later, the Indian (Muslim) community in Panama began to get
involved with the West Indian community and began to play cricket
in the West Indian teams As the Indian immigrant community grew
those of Muslim background were able to field its own team and
later began to play with two Hindus cricket teams established at
that time. The West Indians teams began to disappear in time as
interest waned and the older West Indian players died. It is
worth noting that one of the greatest of all West Indian
cricketers, George Headley, grandfather of the present English
Test cricketer Dean Headley was Panamanian by birth.
Eventually, there were 4 "Muslim" teams and 2 "Hindu" teams and
the first tournament was played in that time. Unfortunately
religious rivalry between Muslims and Hindus became a major
problem that affected cricket. In time with continued growth of
the immigrant community, separate tournaments have evolved. At
present there is only a single West Indian team that plays in
the Muslim tournamment, and only 4 players of that team are West
Indian and the rest of the players are Muslims.
