K.O. Paulson Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — MoneyGram is at it again. Buoyed up by the success of the inaugural 2013 six-over national cricket championship, MoneyGram, a leading global transfer and payment services company, launched its second 2014 Cricket Ke Badshah Tournament under the auspices of Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC) at a ceremony here Tuesday. Earlier, the organizers made it a memorable and exciting day for cricket enthusiasts here by presenting the ICC T20 World Cup 2014 (Bangladesh) Trophy at the SCC Academy at Hala School here. Max Palethorpe and Archie Followes of Radar, the marketing wing of MoneyGram and ICC, brought the trophy to the academy in the evening, two hours before the press conference. Hundreds of young and senior cricket fans thronged the academy to get a glimpse of the coveted trophy. Though the volunteers had a tough time controlling the fans from just touching the trophy, the organizers were gracious enough to allow the cricket-lovers to take their snaps with the trophy. After Palethorpe, Managing Partner of Radar, made the introductory remarks during the launching ceremony at Movenpick Hotel here, Youssef Tarek, Corridor Manager-Arabia Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan, MoneyGram, addressed the press. Ananth Srivasta, Senior Director of Marketing, MoneyGram, had to rush back home due to urgent personal matters. Tarek declared that the 2014 Cricket Ke Badshah Tournament will begin on January 3, 2014. The launching ceremony was graced by Aftab Ahmad Khokher, Consul General of Pakistan; Dr. A. Uthumalebbe, Consul General of Sri Lanka; Ganesh Suderamurthy, ACC representative from Malaysia; Tariq A. Al-Maeena of Saudi Gazette; Tariq Miskas of Urdu News; Dr. Faiz Al-Abideen of Jeddah Cricket Association; and executives of regional cricket associations. “Our 2013 tournament brought the game to thousands of fans in Saudi Arabia who were thrilled to participate in an official cricket competition, and MoneyGram is proud to build upon that success and sponsor an even larger tournament next year,” said Tarek, quoting Ananth Srivasta. “We want to ensure that we engage all players to help develop cricket in this country, as we believe that love of sport brings friends and loved ones closer, which is what MoneyGram aims to do through our services,” said Tarek. “It is the huge presence of South Asian expats in Saudi Arabia that prompted MoneyGram into this project,” said Tarek, adding “cricket can bring all people under one flag.” MoneyGram and SCC have chalked up the tournament format, extending the second edition of the event from four to seven cities — adding Abha, Jubail and Madinah to Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah and Yanbu. After the regional tournaments the finale will be held in Yanbu. The magnitude of this year's event will be huge as 282 clubs are in the fray against 136 of the inaugural event. Over 4,500 players will be seen in action this year. Nadeem Nadwi, Chief Exeuctive Officer of SCC, thanked MoneyGram and the gathering on behalf of SCC Patrons Princess Ghada Bint Hamood Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Prince Dr. Faisal Bin Muhammad Bin Saud Bin Abdulaziz. Nadwi announced that SCC has signed a three-year sponsorship contract with MoneyGram who will extend its support to domestic cricket. He also said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has extended its full support to Saudi cricket. The presence of cricket icons Wasim Akram and Shahid Afridi had electrified the cricket atmosphere here during the 2013 event. The organizers made the ceremony more colorful by presenting one player, umpire and scorer each in complete cricket kit, supplied by MoneyGram. The sponsors will provide uniform to all the players, umpires and scorers. Thanking and recognizing the services of the press MoneyGram and SCC presented awards to Tariq A. Al-Maeena (Saudi Gazette) and Tariq Miskas (Urdu News, Arab News and Malayalam News). Receiving the award, Al-Maeena, who has been associated with cricket in the Kingdom ever since expats began playing cricket here, lauded the efforts of SCC and MoneyGram and wished Saudi Arabia move into the next phase of the ICC membership faster, working as one team. Pakistan Consul General, who seemed excited as any cricketer would be, promised all-out support in developing the game here and coordinating with PCB.
