The inaugural JCL Jotun Paints T10 Cup 2016 day/night softball tournament was launched at a ceremony at a local hotel recently. The tournament is sponsored by Jotun Paints, powered by Turkish Airlines and organized by the Jeddah Cricket League under the supported of Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC). The first edition of Jotun Paints JCL T10 Cup kicked off with a game between Wahid XI and AJVA Ford Royals under the lights at BMT stadium, opposite Al-Waha Hotel, near Sitteen Street. The initial league stage will be followed by the knockout quarterfinals. The tournament will last five weeks and the final is scheduled for May 13. The scores of the softball tournament matches will be available live, for the first time in the Kingdom, on the SCC website. Officials from the SCC, WPCA, sponsors, media, along with captains and managers of the 16 participating teams attended the function where the teams were pooled. The groups are as follows: Pool A: Wahid XI, AJVA Ford Royals, Lothers and AIC. Pool B: EFS KKR, Jotun Penguins, Alliance and Arcoma Crown. Pool C: Al-Max, Ajool DSK, Karachi Kings and DTT Challengers. Pool D: JP Warriors, Young Stars, OMD Tuskers and Deccan Youth. Muzammil Riyaz welcomed SCC CEO Nadeem Nadwi, representatives of sponsors and co-sponsors including Muzakkir Bukhari (Jotun Paints), Senthil Kumar (Turkish Airlines), Majeedul Hassan and Adnan (AIC Steel), Akbar Abdul Hadi (Indomie), Sohail Siddiqui (Friendi), Shahbaz Farooqui and Muzammil (Finfa, Ascent Technologies and Oubler). The ceremony started with the recitation of the verses from the Holy Qur'an. Riyaz presented a brief history of JCL. The JCL Coordination Committee comprises: Jaweed Ahmed, Sami Khan, Ahmad Abdul Rahman, Muzammil Riyaz, Syed Afzal, Rafiullah, Anwar Khan, Ayazuddin Irfan, Wasi Rabbani and Irfan Dayyani. The JCL committee urged the teams to abide by the rules and regulations of the tournament for the smooth conducting of the tournament. Nadwi appreciated the efforts of JCL and its committee members and extended full SCC support. The SCC is providing colored T-shirts, trousers and caps to all the 16 teams, umpires, scorers and volunteers. Nadwi along with the sponsors unveiled the winner and runner-up trophies. He wished luck to all the teams. — SG
