Gearing up for the 9th edition of the day/night cricket tournament, the Tellicherry Cricket Forum (TCF) unveiled the trophies and conducted a live draw at the Holiday Inn Jeddah Gateway Hotel here recently. In the inaugural match on Feb. 10, reigning champion Young Star will clash with McDonalds CC at the BMT ground on Sitteen Street in Bani Malik. Jotun Paints Trophy for the champion and Holiday Inn Jeddah Gateway and Turkish Airlines Trophy for the runner-up were unveiled by chief guest Deputy Consul General of India and Consul Haj, Mohammed Shahid Alam, along with other prominent guests Muzakkir Bukhari (product manager, Jotun Paints), Shygil Moideen (finance director, Jotun Paints), Wajdy ElChaar (GM, Holiday Inn Jeddah Gateway), Zeynel Sozen (marketing manager, Turkish Airlines), Fraser Gregory (CFO, Bupa Arabia), Eng. Hamza Al-Haddar (divisional manager, Arcoma Crown), Sadequl Islam (manager, cricket affairs, Saudi Cricket Centre), Midlaj (manager, FSN Group), Noor Mohammed (regional manager, Air India) and Thajudheen (MD, Future Lite). Bupa Arabia, 3 Horses, Al-Hokair Group, FSN, Kool Dezign and Future Lite are the co-sponsors. The event was also graced by many prominent guests from various sectors in Jeddah along with playing captains, sponsors, media and organizing team. The live-instant draw and cricket quizz kept the audience lively. As soon as the pool draw was over the complete fixture was instantly displayed on the giant screen set up for the draw. The tournament rules and regulations were discussed later and the TCF technical team replied the queries from captains. The 16 teams have been placed in four pools of four teams each. After the preliminary league matches of 10-over-a-side, two top teams from the four groups will qualify for the quarterfinals. The 12-over-a-side final will be on March 10. The groupings: Pool A — McDonalds CC, Young Star, Jotun Penguins, Tetra Pack. Pool B — Reza CC, Pepsi Alliance, Kanoo Logistics, JPL KSA. Pool C — UTSC KPL, Friday Stallions, Warriors, Al-Max Cricket Club. Pool D — Orbital Horizon, Lothers Cricket Club, Arcoma Crown, Hyderabad Royals. Of the 16 teams participating in 9th edition, 10 are corporate teams and the other 6 are the best clubs in Jeddah. The tournament is organized under the auspices of Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC), official cricket body in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For the first time in the history of softball cricket, ACC/ICC certified umpires will be supervising all the matches. Earlier, TCF Secretary Zafeel Backer welcomed the gathering and presidential speech was delivered by Shahanad Oliyat. TCF chief coordinator Mohammed Faseesh and organzing committee member Ajmal Nazeer were the ceremony masters. Event head Abdul Khader Mochery led the TCF crew during the draw. Vice president Riyaz TV proposed a vote of thanks. — SG
