Bhatkal: 28 Cricket Teams Battle it Out for 'Royal Cup-2012'
Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network – Bhatkal (SK)
Bhatkal, Apr 23: The opening ceremony of 'Royal Cup-2012' taluk-level leather ball cricket tournament was held on Sunday April 22. The tournament is held once in every four years.
The 28 teams participating in the tournament gathered at Barni Matti Jamia Street at around 2.30 pm and marched along the Shamshuddin Circle towards Al Hilaal Mountain ground.
At 5 pm the inaugural ceremony of the Royal Cup-2012 began with recitation of the Quran by Umair Kola and Mohammed Arqam translated to English.
Hisham Guda welcomed and introduced the guest convener of the tournament.
Qamar Barmavar briefly presented achievement of Royal Sports Center. He said that the members have put in lots of efforts to host the mega tournament. The tournament which is held every four years and is one of the biggest sporting events. In last three tournaments, the 1998 tournament was won by Manki Nsa and Royal Sports Center were the champions of the 2003 and 2008 tournaments.
Mangalore city police commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh could not attend the inaugural programme owing to other committments. Chief guest of the function Prashant Deshpande(KPPC member) in his inaugural address said that the ground situated in the mountain is wonderful. He congratulated Royal Sports Club.
He further said that his last visit to the Al Hilaal Mountain ground was during the closing ceremony of the last Royal Cup for which he was the guest. The tournament was organized during students’ exam time. In that closing ceremony president of Anjuman Hami E Muslimeen the late Mohtesham Abdul Gani Saheb had said that the tournament should not be held during examination and should rather be held during holidays. Prashant said that he was happy that the tournament was conducted during holidays now. He wished good luck to all the 28 teams.
Bhatkal MLA JD Naik said that the event was well organized and Bhatkal Sports Club is organizing very good cricket and kabaddi tournaments. He further added that the Royal Sports Club is alike the world cup. He congratulated and wished all the teams to play with peace and discipline.
Satish S Sail (KPPC Member) congratulated Royal Sports Center. He said that it was a special moment for him to watch the youngsters. Later he said that he had heard that earlier the ground was a mountain and is now a ground with efforts to play. He also said that there is need for grass in ground. He said winning and losing is a part of game and to maintain peace and prosperity.
S Jayaraj Muthu (cricket coach KPL) said that the opening ceremony is as good as the IPL and KPL and the event should be called BPL (Bhatkal Primier League). He said that he has seen their spirit and peace has no words to say. He wished that atleast few cricketers from Bhatkal would represent the country. He added that is was a great opportunity to show the talents. Speaking to Daijiworld he said that there is a need for fast bowler. Recently he spoke to Jawagal Srinath who is also a one of the fast bowler in Indian team. He said that we need a fastbowler from coastal belt of Karnataka and requested them to perform well in the tournament which is a chance to prove themselves and wished them.
TMC president Inayatullah Shahbandari congratulated Royal Sports Center for their wonderful efforts in the ground. He said that a stadium is required which is presently forest land and soon Inshallah the ground will be under Bhatkal Muslim Youth Federation. Royal has conducted three big tournaments and this is the fourth taluk level tournament. Only Royal club has the talent to organize big tournament in Bhatkal. Bhatkal has already organized state level kabaddi tournament. Royal has to organize state level cricket in their next tournament. He wished them.
Bhatkal Muslim Youth Federation president Jaman Maulana Mohammed Ansar Madni said youngsters of all communities should be very responsible. Religious Islam has told us to play. In Prophet Mohammed (saw) also there was a play which was in limit. While playing we don’t need to leave prayers. We have to pray (Sahah) in proper time. All Non-Muslim brothers should take a message of Islam from here. He asked them to play with peace and wished them.
Ateequr Rahman Muniri, managing director of Nuha General Trading, Dubai said that recently a big cricket tournament was organized in Dubai under Bhatkal Muslim Jamaath and they are trying to build youngsters to represent the country. He wished them success.
Abdullah Lanka president of Khalij council said that the students are showing their talents in cricket and kabbaddi and trying to go in IPL and KPL which is good but they are not going for IPS, IAS, LLB etc. He said that Rabhita Society will give it fee for those who are interested to go for IPS and IAS, LLB. He wished all the 28 teams and asked them to play with discipline and maintain peace.
President of Majlis E Islah O Tanzeem Kashimji Pervez, convener of the tournament Hifz Urrahman Barmawar, Imtiyaz Udyawar congratulated and wished for the success of the tournament.
Maulana Mohammed Shuaib Ekkeri Nadvi, president of Royal sports Center presided over the function.
Hisham Guda delivered the vote of thanks.
In the first match of the tournament held on Monday April 23, Asadullah beat Al Hilaal by four wickets, and in the second match Anfa beat Manki Nsa by the same margin. Qasim from Asadullah was adjudged man of the match in the first game, and Imran in the second.