By Yahya Abbas
Abu Dhabi, Mar 11: Mangalore Cup 2016, Season-4 overarm hard tennis MRI ball cricket tournament was held under the auspices of the MCC (Mangalore Cricket Club) at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium Oval green grass ground, here.
Vincent, managing director of Royal Institute of Music and Arts inaugurated the event along with Latheef K H, president of Mangalore Cricket Club. He said, "Mangalore Cricket Club has been doing a magnificent job since the past four years by encouraging NRI Indians cricketers. It is virtually a platform for Indian NRI cricketers to exhibit their talent at the international cricket ground."
As many as 20 teams from places across the United Arab Emirates participated in the event. Several sixes and super catches enthralled the audience. All the participating teams played their best keeping scores and their sprits high. The match was played in 2 green grass grounds simultaneously.
In the exciting final battle of 'Mangalore Cup 2016' - Season 4, Friday Chargers showed remarkable performance and emerged as winners against the equally challenging Oxford Marine Dubai. In the finals both teams’ players put up a great show. Friday Chargers were entitled for AED 8,000 cash award and the winner bagged the trophy and medals. Meanwhile, Oxford Marine received AED 5,000 cash award and the runner-up received the trophy and medals. Incidentally Oxford Marine has also lifted the runner-up trophy in Mangalore Cup – 2015.
Friday Chargers bowlers and batsmen showed classic performance by staying unbeaten till the end. They beat the strong teams of the UAE namely Pacific Ventures in the first round, Shanan Stars in the quarter finals and Capture United in the semis. Oxford Marine too fought some tough contenders to reach the finals. Capture United settled for second runner-up position beating MCC Abu Dhabi in a deciding match.
MCC Tournament participating teams: Abu Dhabi Indians, Avivo Hospital, Sumtech Musaffah, Malnad Friends, Al Sitara Cricketers, Green Apple, City Guys Abu Dhabi, Super Eleven Dubai, Careebian, Oxford Marine Dubai, United Capture, Abu Dhabi Eleven, Muroor Guys, Safe Line, Friday Chargers, MCC Abu Dhabi, Du Cab, Pacific Venture, Shannan Star, Deccan Chargers.
During the presentation ceremony, event sponsors and MCC executive board members were present. MCC president Latheef K H honored the sponsors with mementos.
Main sponsor of the event Ronald Pinto, managing director, Hyssna International LLC was honored for his support in all the 4 seasons of this tournament. Ronald Pinto in his message congratulated team MCC for their dedication and zeal in organizing a big tournament and wished them success in the future. He encouraged them to hold future tournaments at the Abu Dhabi International Cricket Main Stadium ground. He also congratulated the winning teams and the participating teams for playing with a good spirit of sportsmanship.
Akram, managing director, Al-Sitara Group, was the co-sponsor of the tournament. Other sponsors of the tournament Walter Alemida, general manager, Regal Furnishing and Storage Systems, Asif, managing director, Sumtec Multiline Trading LLC, Mussafah, Nooruddin and Rafiq - Bin Darai & Co, Subash – Space link Gen Cont, Sanil Aravind, managing director, Phoneix Interiors Dubai, Style Line Fashions LLC, Manoj representative of UAE Exchange, Yousuf Al Shami - Royal Electronic Wheel Balance, Aboobakar - Styleline Fashions, K H, Hakeem, managing director, Royal Group Companies India and Abu Dhabi, Mohsin, managing director of Artigino Digital Printing Centre, Sachin Noronha, Broadway events management were present and gave away the trophies to winning and participating teams as well as individual achievers.
The organizers thanked Abu Dhabi Cricket Council staff, Shekhar Shetty, managing director, Arab Udupi Resturants, Santhosh Rai - Ramee Group of Hotels, Thani Murshi Uniliever, Herald Nazareth, Al Ahalia Gulf Line Gen Trading, Manoj Menezes, Broadway Events Management, Raghunath Shetty, Subiksha Restaurant for their support in various ways for the success of the event. Rasheed, secretary of MCC honored the media representatives.
Event trophy winners' outstanding performance details:
Winners: Friday Chargers
Runners Up: Oxford Marine Dubai
Second runners Up: Capture United
Fair play award: Safeline Abu Dhabi, Al Sitara Cricketers Abu Dhabi, Sumtec Mussaffah, Aviva Hospital
Best catch of the tournament: Sujith, Abu Dhabi Indians
Best fielder of the tournament: Sadaka, Capture United
Best wicketkeeper of the tournament: Agnello, Abu Dhabi Indians
Best bowler of the tournament: Arshad, Friday Chargers
Best batsman of the tournament: Thoufeeq, Friday Chargers
Man of the finals: Unni, Friday Chargers
Man of the series: Praveen, Oxford Marine
MCC president, Latheef K H expressed his sincere gratitude to Abu Dhabi Cricket council (ADCC) for its great patronage in allocating international cricket stadium Oval Ground for this event. Prize distribution ceremony was compered by Nizar Charmadi.