The Tellicherry Cricket Forum (TCF), formed and run by a group of friends for the Kerala city and bound by their passion for the game, announced recently the staging of the 9th edition of the TCF Day/Night Tennis Ball Cricket Tournament. The event will be held from Feb. 10 to March 10. [caption id="attachment_115817" align="alignright" width="300"] Mohammed Faseesh, chief coordinator, along with other TCF committee members announces the launch of the cricket contest in Jeddah. [/caption] Matches will be played at the BMT Flood Light Ground, Sitteen Street, Opposite to Al Waha Hotel, with all facilities including big pavilion, players' dugouts, spacious spectators gallery to be set on the ground. The tournament champions trophy is being named after the main sponsor Jotun Paints. The event is being supported by Holiday Inn Jeddah Gateway & Turkish Airlines. Bupa Araiba, Al Hokair Group, Kool Dezign, FSN, 3 Horses & Future Lite are the other co-sponsors of the 9th edition tournament. The TCF 9th edition is associated with Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC). Sixteen teams are playing in the tournament, which includes players of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladesh and Sri Lankan origins. It will be conducted on day/night basis. Like in previous years, this year too TCF has received team entry requests from 30+ teams. But the best 16 teams were selected for the tournament. They will be placed in 4 pools of 4 teams. Each team will play three matches in league round, and the best two teams from each pool will qualify for the quarterfinals, which is newly added to the 9th edition. The finals will be played on March 10. Apart from Jotun Paints Champions Trophy and Holiday Inn Jeddah Gateway and Turkish Airlines runners-up trophies, various other prizes will be given to the players such as Man of the Match award for all matches, Best Batsman, Best Bowler, Man of the Series, Best Fielder, Best All-rounder, Fastest Fifty along with "BUPA Spirit of the Game" award for a team which shows the utmost sportsman spirit and discipline. There will be fun games and Instant Cricket Quiz during match breaks and winners will get sponsored gifts. Also there will be exciting prizes and other bumper gifts for the spectators including air tickets sponsored by Turkish Airlines and Air India. Faisal Karim, marketing manager, Jotun Paints, Mohammad Jarrah, director of sales, Holiday Inn Jeddah Gateway, Senthil Kumar Vedaiyan, corporate sales manager, Turkish Airlines, Ersoy Yildiz, regional marketing representative, Turkish Airlines, Amin Shaibi, senior manager, media & activation, Bupa Arabia, Mohammad Jad, senior officer, PR corporate communications, marketing, Bupa Arabia, attended the press conference from the sponsors side. All of them wished the organizers well and hoped the event would be exciting and played in a spirit of sportsmanship. They also reiterated their company's commitment in sponsoring such events, which contribute in a long way for a person to stay healthy. Six famous clubs from Jeddah and 10 corporate teams will vie in the TCF's 9th edition tourney. The teams are: Jotun Penguins; Pepsi Alliance; Arcoma Crown; Kanoo Cricket Club; McDonald's; Tetra Pack; Orbital Horizon; Reza Hygiene; Al Max; Young Star Cricket Club; Lothers Cricket Club; Hyderabad Royals; Warriors; Utsckplx1; Friday Stallions; and JPL XI. The official grand opening ceremony with players line up and other colorful programs is to be held on Friday, Feb. 10 at 8.00 p.m. Ex-BCCI President T.C. Mathew will be the chief guest for the promo event on Feb. 1. A separate media room has been arranged with Internet connection to send live reports and photos from the ground. Also all match results with photos and video's will be updated in TCF's Facebook page. President Shahanad delivered TCF updates. Mohammed Faseesh, chief coordinator, introduced the sponsors, the tournament format was briefed by convenor Shamseer, secretary Zafeel Backer welcomed the guests and Media Coordinator AbdulKhader Mochery conveyed vote of thanks. Other TCF executive members Tajmal Babu, Thanzeem and Razik were also present.
