Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jan 23: For the first time ever in Karnataka, Udupi Cricket Club will host a floodlit T10 cricket tournament with a hard tennis ball, starting April 27 this year. As many as 24 teams, including 12 from GCC countries and other states of India, will take part in the mega tournament.
This was announced by the organizing committee of 'Udupi Premier League - 2016' in a press meet at Brahmagiri here on Friday January 22.
Sadhiq Kaup, president of Udupi Cricket Club addressing the media persons said, "A mega hard tennis ball cricket tournament under floodlight will be hosted for the first time in Karnataka. The cricket tournament will be held at MGM ground in the city from April 27 to May 1.
"As many as 24 teams are expected to participate, out of which, 12 will be arriving all the way from Gulf countries as well as from neighboring states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra and a few others.
The tournament has prizes worth over Rs 50 lac in store. Winners will get a cash prize of Rs 20 lac along with UPL trophy, while runners-up will get a cash prize of Rs 10 lac and a UPL trophy and the semi-finalists will each get cash prizes of Rs 2 lac and UPL trophies. The total budget of the entire event is estimated to be Rs 95 lac.
The man of the series gets to take home a car. Individual winners like the man of the match, best batsman, best bowler, best fielder and those who score the highest sixes will be awarded bikes
The UPL cricket championship will consist of 10 overs and will be played on a league-cum-knockout basis.
The Udupi Cricket Club has always been dedicated to endowing the essence of sports and games amongst people. The club is chaired by Udupi MLA and revenue parliamentary secretary Pramod Madhwaraj.
The mission of the Club is to conduct cricket in an upright manner among the youth of Udupi district and provide an opportunity to enthuisiastic players to enhance their skills and sportsmanship.
Sri Lakshmivarateertha Swamiji of Shiroor Math is the chief advisor of the UPL and Mohammed Arif and Thonse Jayakrishna A Shetty are the vice-chairmen of UPL-2016. The organizing committee members of UCC are Abdul Khader, vice-president, Nasir, vice president, Hafeez Muhammad, operation manager, Firoz Amid Shaikh, joint secretary and Imran Zahoor from marketing.
Club members K Mohammad Niyaz, marketing and media, Mohammad Samiuddin, secretary, Aroor Sukhesh Shetty, legal advisor of UCC and Mohammad Irfan, treasurer of UCC were present at the press meet.
Daijiworld is the official media partner for the event.