The 8th TCF-Jotun Cricket Tournament will kick off Friday with last year's runner-up EFS-KKR meeting Pepsi Alliance in the inaugural match at the BMT floodlit stadium opposite Al-Waha Hotel near Sitteen Street. Tariq A. Al-Maeena, popular Saudi socio-political commentator, will inaugurate the tournament at 8.00 p.m. Jotun is the title sponsor of the tournament which is supported by FSN & Al-Hokair Group, Bupa Arabia, Kool Design, Pullman Hotel & Resorts, Arcoma, Saudia, Pepsi, Asas Networks and Geepas. The fixture and jersey release, live draw of lots, captains' meeting and the clarification session of tournament rules and regulations were conducted at Jeddah Pullman Al-Hamra Hotel recently without its usual celebrations due to the sad demise of International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ) student Fawaz Ismail, who hailed from Tellichery. Team captains and managers of the participating 16 teams attended the function in which teams were pooled through live lot system. Last year's semifinalists have been pooled in four different groups and the remaining 12 teams were added to the groups, following the lot system. The organizers underlined the importance of following the rules for the smooth functioning of the tournament and sought full cooperation from all the teams. The groups are: Pool A — Last year's runner-up EFS-KKR, Pepsi Alliance, Western Union XI and Hyderabad Royals. Pool B — My Own Challengers, Ajwa-Ford Royals, Arcoma and Target Guys. Pool C — Last year's champion Young Star, Al-Jazeera Steels, Al-Max Cricket and OMD Tuskers. Pool D — Dazil Super Kings, Jotun Penguins, Al-Hokair Group and Asas Scorpions. Unlike the previous years' format, after the preliminary league games, the knockout stage will start with quarterfinals. The tournament will last for five weeks and the final is scheduled for March 11. TCF President Mohammed Faseesh wished good luck to all the teams. Jotun Marketing Manager Faisal Kareem released this year's jerseys. FSN Divisional Manager Afsal Babu Adiraja and Pullman Al-Hamra General Manager Najeeb Eraiss performed the live team lot and fixture release. Tournament Convener Riyas T.V. delivered the welcome speech and Mohammed Faseesh presented the program. Abdulkader Mochery led the live team grouping through lot system and Shamsheer Oliyat proposed a vote of thanks.
