JEDDAH — United Thalassery Sports Club (UTSC) is all set to conduct its first ever "Hockey Fiesta" here. Ten teams from Dammam, Riyadh and Jeddah will be participating in this one-day hockey festival from 4:00 p.m. at the Technical Institute ground in Faisaliya. The winner's trophy is titled after the main sponsor Fadhil Group. The co-sponsors are Al-Kabeer Foods, Innovative Engineering Co. Ltd., Rara Avis Restaurant and Geepas. This was announced at a press conference, held at Rara Avis Restaurant, by UTSC officials Hisham Mahe (president), Ashfaq Melekandy (secretary), Shamseer Oliyat (chief cordinator), Abdul Khader Mochery (media cordinator), Ajmal Khan (Saudi hockey). It was graced by tournament sponsors Abdul Latheef KSA (Fadhil Group), Ubaidulla (Al-Kabeer Foods), Jayakuram (Innovative Engineering Ltd) and Safriyas (Rara Avis Restarant). It will be a unique occasion for the hockey fans in Saudi Arabia to watch former national players from India, Pakistan and Egypt in action, representing various teams. International umpires from Oman — Khamis Al-Balushi and Thani Saheem Al-Wahabi — will be officiating the matches. Participating teams: UTSC Saudi, Al-Rayyan Hockey Club Jeddah, KSA Field Hockey Jeddah, KSA Tiger Hockey Club Jeddah, Al-Arab Hockey Club Dammam, Saudi Strikers Dammam, KSA Field Hockey Dammam, Falcon Hockey Riyadh, Al-Arab Hockey Riyadh and Riyadh Royals Hockey Club. UTSC is an emerging sports club based in Thalassery, Kerala, with active chapters in UAE, Muscat and Saudi Arabia. Indian hockey captain Sreejesh flagged off a hockey tournament conducted by UTSC in association with Oman Hockey Association during last February. Former Kerala state player Javis Ahmed is coordinating UTSC global activities in the gulf region. Having conducted successful tournaments in Oman and Dubai, UTSC hopes this new initiative would inject a great inspiration into the game here too. Kerala state goalkeeper Shamseer is coordinating the UTSC activities in the Kingdom. UTSC conducted the football trials in Jeddah for the Under 17 Indian team to play in the World Cup in India. UTSC has also participated in leading cricket tournaments in Jeddah including the 9th TCF championship. It also conducted a 7's football tournament in January.
