Riyadh: RAISCO FRIENDS Cricketers won the prestigious ‘Karavali Champions Trophy 2015’ by defeating arch-rivals UNITED ULLAL in a scintillating final match played in Riyadh on Friday, October 27, at MCA grounds, Sulai, Riyadh. The winning team humbled the runner up team by 80 runs. UCHILA FRIENDS team won the 3rd Prize.
Karavali Welfare Association Riyadh (KWAR) had conducted this tournament under the banner of MCA(Mangalore Cricket Association) as part of its annual sports program as the association will be celebrating its Food Festival as well as Sports Day as well as Annual Day 2015-16.
A total of 20 teams from different Asian countries participated in the tournament, yet it was all Indian. To be precise, a Mangalorean final since two Mangalorean teams emerged at the top to fight it out for Karavali Trophy. RAISCO FRIENDS and UNITED ULLAL both of which registered splendid performances in the initial matches, fittingly reached the finals.
RAISCO Captain won the toss and elected to bat and scored a massive 133/6 runs in stipulated 10 overs. Kamar scored a quick fire 39 in 14 balls, Prashanth scored 34 well supported by the opener Ellyaz who scored 31. Facing the massive target of 134 runs to win, UNITED ULLAL started cautiously, but lost wickets at regular intervals. They failed to have a good partnership and eventually lost the match by a huge margin of 80 runs. Star Players for RAISCO FRIENDS Were Mustafa, Prashanth and Ellyaz. Mustafa rightly won the Man of the Match and Best Bowler Award.
Winners RAISCO FRIENDS were awarded with Cash Prize of Saudi Riyals 4,444/- along with a scintillating Trophy and Runner-up UNITED ULLAL got the cash prize Saudi Riyals 1,111/- with a Trophy. Earlier in the semifinals, UNITED ULLAL defeated UCHILA FRIENDS and RAISCO FRIENDS defeated SCFC to reach the Grand final.
Abdullah Al Qahtani, a Saudi businessman and ardent Cricket Lover was the chief guest who patiently watched whole match from beginning to end distributed the Prizes. President Rajesh Kumar, Vice President Santhosh Shetty, MCA President Shamsuddin Mulki presided over the ceremony. Sports Sectretaries Jayakar Poojary, Deepak Shetty and Bhasker Salian thanked all the participating teams/ players, committee members and the massive gathering for helping to make the Tournament a huge success. Senior KWAR member Shri Parvez Ali and the ever Active Shri Bhaskar PM compered the Prize distribution function. Mr Parvez ali stressed for KWAR unity and requested the gathering to support KWAR in its charity works as its the only Organization in K.S.A which is formed with representatives of all the Communities.
The main attractions of this chilly morning were traditional breakfast “Idli Vada – Chatni/sambhar” and the gathered crowd jumped and Clapped for every shots being played. The action packed thrilling match was well captured by the Lenses of Shashidhar haridas, Subhash pejawar & Chethan Kaivar. Earlier Umesh shetty entertained the crowd with his multi-lingual commentary which was well appreciated by the huge crowd gathered around the MCA ground.
KWAR is indebted to everyone who made it possible as one of the Best Cricket Tournaments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. KWAR would like to thank MCA Coordinator Mr. Sathish Amin and the Ground assistantance team comprising of Shrikanth Hejamady, Shashidhar, Anup Shetty, Subhash Pejavar, Gopi Salian, Sathish Salian, Manoj Kumar, Rajesh Chand, Jagannath Kotian, Deepak Shetty, Mannan and Master Snehal.
KWAR would like to thank its sponsors Red Table, Eastern Arabia, Nadec, Vishwa Kannadiga, News Kannada and all the individual sponsors.
The event ended with reciting National Anthem.
Individual Prize Winners
Man of the Match (Final) – Mustafa ( RAISCO)
Player of the Tournament – Prashanth
Batsman of the tournament – Mithun Kulal( SCFC )
Bowler of the tournament – Mustafa (RAISCO)
Felicitated Umpires: Bhaskar, Jaya Shetty, Khader, Prashant, Iqbal and Althaf.
The tournament was organized by Karavali Welfare Association Riyadh (KWAR) under the banner of MCA (Mangalorean Cricket Association)
