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Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Tulu cine stars' team wins inaugural exhibition match against Azhar's team
Mangaluru, Dec 18: This year's edition of Mangalore Premier League (MPL) got off to a sparkling start on Saturday December 17 at NMPT grounds, Panambur here, in the presence of the star former captain of the Indian cricket team Mohammed Azharuddin.
Azhar, as he is popularly known, was given a grand, traditional welcome accompanied by the beating of drums, stilt and other artistes.
Addressing the gathering, Azhar greeted, 'Namaskara, Kudla', drawing a huge applause from the excited audience.
"It is going to be a very tough battle as Mangaluru is famous for producing good sportspersons. We have got one player from Mangaluru playing for the Indian team, that is K L Rahul, and I am sure there will be some good players in this MPL who are going to get good exposure and who will play for Karnataka and go on to play for India. And I think your intention is to go forward and play for your country. This is very important, because I see a lot of boys who play well, but then once they get jobs they just leave the game and waste their talent. So you have to really work hard for it. You are in the team because you are very good, so make sure that you excel in whatever your department is, be it batting or bowling," Azhar advised the players.
Referring to the inaugural match that was to be played after the stage programme, Azhar humbly said, "I have been told I have to play a match today. I really do not know how well I can play, because I have not held a bat for a long time, and I do not want to embarass myself. Anyway, it appears that I will get embarassed today."
Wishing all the best to the teams and the organizers, he said, "It is very good to have this Mangalore Premier League. I think without your (organizers') support it would have been very difficult to have a Kudla cricket team. I am very happy to be part of this league. I wish I could play like the young boys sitting here, but my time is gone now. It is your time now. I wish the teams all the best and hope that you play the games in the right spirit.
"I wish Mangalore Premier League the very best of luck. I hope and pray that this league goes on for ever and ever with the continuous support of sponsors. I hope MPL grows from strength to strength and one day competes with KPL or becomes even better," he said.
Stressing that Mangaluru needs a top class cricket stadium, he said, "I hope the government does something good for Mangaluru in this regard. I am not sure if you already have one or not, but I think we really must have a good stadium because we have so many players who play cricket here. Cricket has always been a popular game all over India. With due respect to all the games, I think whenever there is a cricket match a lot of people even leave their work, and women too sit in the front of the TV forgetting about cooking."
"I hope you have a competitive tournament. It is not easy to host a tournament, and I congratulate the organizers for doing such a good job," he said. He also had a word for appreciation for the Tulu cinema actors who as a team were pitted against his team in the exhibition match that followed.
He also recalled his visit to Mangaluru in the 1990s when he played a benefit match in the city. "It was in May and the weather was very hot. Today the weather has been kind to us.
"I am very happy to be in Mangaluru. This is my second visit to Mangaluru this year. I had been to this city about 6 months ago for a Kabaddi tournamemt. When Ismail Ullal came to Dubai, he requested me to come to this event and I had instantly agreed, but I was not sure if it was going to happen or not. I get so many invites to attend league tournaments, but most of them do not convert into events. Today I had lots of events which I managed to escape. I think its better to attend an event which is related to cricket, with so much following and so much love and affection," Azhar said, thanking Ismail Ullal for inviting him to the inaugual ceremony.
Urging people to come in large numbers to watch the tournament, he said, "More people should come out and help the game become popular here. Once the game gets recognition, there is no looking back."
After the inaugural ceremony, a friendly match was played between Organizers XI led by Azharuddin and Tulu Roaring Stars XI led by actor Arjun Kapikad. While Azhar's team won the toss, the Tulu cine actors won the match.
The tournament will go on till December 31.