by Mahesh Nayak
Photos: Srinisha Studio, Yedapadavu
Mangalore, May 17: Sri Bhoothanatheshwara Halli Cricket Tournament concluded on Sunday with a grand finale, where Best-XI Krishnapur team lived up to its name and defeated Coastal Digest.Com Suratkal team by two runs after the latter lost all their wickets. On being presented with the Rs. 3 lakh prize money and the coveted Sri Bhoothanatheshwara Trophy, the jubilant team leader Sunil said they had never imagined that they would win the trophy and it was their youthful enthusiasm that clinched the victory. In an earnest gesture, he announced to contribute Rs. 10,000/- from the prize money to the temple as a mark of gratitude to the deity.
The morning-to-evening rubber-ball tournament with 99 knock out matches, took place on the abundant paddy fields adjacent to Sri Bhoothanatheshwara Temple at Badagayedapadavu near Mijar, which had been specially leveled to prepare three cricket pitches. Fighters Bajpe, Marigudi Friends Moodabidri, Coastal Digest.com Surathkal, 5-star Addoor, FCT Puthige, Best XI Krishnapura, E-2 Guys Ullaibettu and Ramanjaneya Games Team, Malali are the 8 teams which made it to the Quarter Finals. In the semi finals, Coastal Digest Surathkal beat Marigudi Friends Moodubidri and Best XI Krishnapur defeated E-2 Guys Ullaibettu.
In the finals, Mohammad Sharief, the captain of Coastal Digest.Com had won the toss but he chose to field against Best XI Krishnapura, who managed to gather 84 runs in 10 overs. The finals saw intense competition for the trophy and it was only a stroke of misfortune that Coastal Digest.Com suffered heavy casualty of wickets in the initial overs, losing the first wicket in the very first ball itself. However the resilient team managed to make up for lost ground come pretty close the 85 runs required to win the tournament. However its luck ran out when it lost the last wicket just two runs short of the goal though there were sufficient balls left.
Cricket being a gentleman’s game, the tournament saw the display of the best behavior and spirit of sportsmanship on the part of the players. After receiving the runners up trophy, which included a cash prize of Rs 1.5 lakh, Mohammad Sharief thanked the organisers for providing an opportunity for the budding cricket talents of the region and encouraging them with a huge award. He said playing cricket in a paddy field using village techniques and observing the local culture with strict traditional dress code, was a new and uplifting experience to his team.
The organisers also disbursed several of cash awards. ‘Namma Kudla’ team of Mangalore was adjudged as the team wearing the best traditional dress. Man of the Series and highest sixer prize was won by Santosh of Best XI Krishnapur and the Best Bowler award went to Haris of Coastal Digest.Com. he organizers also gave special prizes to Umesh and Sameer, two players who scored centuries in the tournament.
Speaking at the closing ceremony Mulki-Moodbidri MLA Abhayachandra Jain lauded the exemplary discipline exhibited by both players and organisers. “ This rubber-ball tournament brings back memories of my boyhood days, when I and my mates used to play rubber-ball cricket on deserted paddy-fields,” he said and much to the amusement of the crowds named a few other popular political personalities who used to participate in cricket tournaments.
Vijaynath Vittal Shetty, chief coordinator of the event congratulated all the teams which participated in the tournament and thanked those who helped him in the endeavour. He reiterated that giving exposure to the traditional way of playing cricket to the younger generations and thereby promoting social discipline and harmony among the villagers was one of the main objectives behind organising this village cricket tournament.