The Saudi chapter of United Tellicherry Sports Club (UTSC) is conducting a sevens football tournament at Shabab Sports City floodlight ground in Bani Malek here from Friday. This unique event is mainly sponsored by Fadhil Group of Companies and co-sponsored by ACT Cranes, Geepas, EFS Cargo and Cargo Track. This was announced by Chief Coordinator Shamseer Oliyaat at a press conference attended by Fadhil Group MD Abdul Latheef, UTSC President Hisham Mahe, Secretary Ashfaq Melakendy, Tournament Director Salem PR, Isham Mahi and media convener Abdul Qader Manjeri. Six teams are participating in this three-day tournament. The teams have been divided into two pools and after the preliminary league games the top team from each group will meet in the final on Jan. 20. The participating teams are Jeddah Sports Club (Srs), BaaghD FC, Youth India FC, ITL Dazzlers, EFS FC and Soccer Guys. Fadhil Group MD Abdul Latheef, who unveiled the trophies, expressed his happiness over sponsoring the event and advised the organizers and team captains to give importance to discipline and sportsmanspirit. Though UTSC is based in Tellicherry, Kerala state in India, former state and renowned hockey players who have been working in the Gulf formed its branches in Dubai and Oman. The Jeddah-based Tellicherry friends launched its chapter here recently by conducting the preliminary selection trials for Under-17 India team. It selected 7 players to take part in the national trials in Mumbai. Though the movement was started by hockey players UTSC has now expanded its activities to football, cricket and basketball. Former Kerala state hockey player Shamseer Oliyaat is the chief coordinator of UTSC in Saudi Arabia. — SG
