Abu Dhabi: The powerful Friday Chargers showed overall performance and emerged winners against the equally challenging Oxford Marine Dubai in the electrifying finals of the ‘Mangalore Cup 2016’ – Season 4, hard tennis ball cricket tournament held at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium under the aegis of the Mangalore Cricket Club.
Right from the initial stage, Friday Chargers bowlers and batsmen showed exemplary performance to remain unbeaten till the end. Several sixes and super catches enthralled the audience. They beat strong teams of UAE, Pacific Ventures in the first round, Shanan Stars in the Quarter Finals and Capture United in the Semi’s. Oxford Marine too fought some tough contenders to remain in the finals. Capture United settled for second runner-up beating MCC Abu Dhabi in a deciding match. The interesting finals was witnessed by 500 plus cricket lovers from the UAE.
Earlier in the morning, Vincent D’Sliva, Managing Director of Royal Institute of Music and Arts inaugurated the event along with Lathef, the President of Mangalore Cricket Club in the presence of committee members, players and cricket enthusiast. As many as 20 teams from places across the United Arab Emirates participated in the event to claim the coveted trophy and cash prizes. All the participating teams played to their best attempt keeping the scores and spirits very high. Matches were played at 2 grass grounds simultaneously.
During the presentation ceremony, all the major sponsors of the tournament were present. MCC president Lateef honored the sponsors with mementos.
Main sponsor of the event Ronald Pinto, Managing Director, Hyssna International LLC was honored for his support for all the 4 seasons of this tournament. Ronald Pinto during his message congratulated MCC team for their dedication and zeal in organizing a big tournament and wished them all the success in future. He encouraged them to have the tournament at the Abu Dhabi International Cricket Stadium in the future days. He also congratulated the winning teams and participating teams for playing with good sportsman spirit.
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 – Spacelink Gen. Cont., Manoj representative of UAE Exchange, Yousuf Al Shami – Royal Electronic Wheel Balance, Aboobakar – Styleline Fashions, K. H, Hakeem, Managing Director, Royal Group Companies India & 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.
The final results:
Winners: Friday Chargers
Runners Up: Oxford Marine
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 Wicket Keeper 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 Finals: Unni, Friday Chargers
Man of the Series: Praveen, Oxford Marine
