Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Pics: Surabi Rathan, Pithrody
Udupi, Apr 14: Janapriya Cricketers Udyavar organized 'Janapriya Trophy-2015', a two-day south India-level floodlight cricket tournament on Saturday April 11 and Sunday 12 at Udyavar.
Social worker Suresh Shetty Gurme inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp. President of the programme Lalaji R Mendon, former MLA Kaup, Diwarkar Kunder, Udupi zilla panchayat member, M K Balaraj and Rama Murthy were present.
Shivanarayana Aithal, Kota, Vincent Fernandes Padubidri, Praveen Kumar, Pithrody were felicitated for their achievements in tennis ball cricket.
The semi-final matches were between AK Sports which is said to be one of the best teams in tennis cricket ball and BBC–SFC team. BBC-SFC team defeated AK Sports and reached the finals. In another semi-final, Johnson Kundapur won against Friends Udupi.
In the final match, Johnson Kundapur won the toss and elected to bat. They scored 24 runs in 6 overs. Though the target was easy for BBC-SFC, the team lost the match by just 2 runs due to continuous fall of wickets.
Man of the match in the final match and man of the series was Swasthik from Johnson Kundapur team. He took 3 wickets in 3 runs and 2 overs. Best bowler of the tournament was awarded to Apex of BBC-SFC team. Best batsman of the tournament was bagged by Appu of BBC – SFC team.
The winning team Johnson Kundapur was awarded a cash prize of Rs 1,00,001 and a trophy. BBC-SFC team was awarded a cash prize of Rs 50,005 and a trophy.
Vinay Kumar Sorake, minister for urban development graced the closing ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, he said, "I had been given an opportunity to attend this event last year too. The organizers have arranged the playground well." He remembered the late Manjunath Udayavar who built the gram panchayat ground in Udyavar. He congratulated Janapriya Cricketers on organizing a south India level tournament, and all the participants as well as the winning team of the tournament.
He further said that a game is not just meant to be won. "People from different places make new friends and due to this harmony and peace are fostered. Our state has many players who have represented Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts in national-level sports.
Girish Kumar, Udyavar, member of taluk panchayat, Udupi, Riyaz Palli, gram panchayat member, Udyavar, Yaspal Suvarna, president, Udupi DK Fisheries Foundation Ltd, Ganesh Mattu, advocate and vice-president, Bar Council Udupi, Santosh Suvarna, gram panchayat member, Udyavar, Chennabasavanna, SP, Coastal Security Udupi-Mangaluru-Karwar, M K Balaraj and committee president Jithendra Shetty, Udyavar, president Ashok Kotian, secretary Avinash were present.