Wilson Saldanha
Daijiworld Media Network - Kuwait

Kuwait, Mar 2: “KEI – Cup 2012” cricket tournament was organized by Young Men Cricket Club (YMCC) Kuwait, on February 17 and 24 at Mishref Grounds . The relentless efforts and perfect planning by the YMCC members to unify diverse cultures and building strong teams of people engaging themselves in sports activities through a sport event were perfectly showcased on the days of the event. Challenger Cricketers won the 'KEI- Cup 2012' cricket tournament

Young Men Cricket Club was founded by like minded sport lovers who wanted to unify all the communities through sport events and very well started with successfully organizing a cricket tournament. The club also has ideas to promote other sport activities in Kuwait.

YMCC Office bearers for the year 2011-2012 are Don Dsouza – president; Godwin Veigas – Vice President; Vincent D'Souza - general secretary; Dominic D'Souza – treasurer; Muralidhar Shetty – public relation officer.

Kuwait Engineering Industries (KEI) a reputed and one of the top metal fabrication unit in Kuwait were the main sponsors for the tournament along with Al- Liwan Al- Kuwaity a diversified Multi Cuisine Restaurant as co- main sponsor for the event. Other sponsors were Shetty’s Udupi Groceries, Salmiya, May Flower Restaurant, Appointment Gift Est, Saja Perfumes, Valerian Sanctis and Star Al- Sharq Printing House.

The Tournament was played on basis of knock out with maximum of 8 over’s per innings and out of 22 teams that participated in the tournament , Challenger cricketers and Friends A emerged for semi- finals from Group B and Friends A1 and Desert Bulls from Group A.
The tournament was divided into two groups A and B. The teams that participated in the tournament were : Shine Cricketers, Friends A1, Lion Heart Cricketers, Real Warriors, Karavalli United Cricketers, Royal Indians, Beary Boys, Q8A, Q8B, Speed Boys, Desert Bulls, Konkan Royal Cricketers, Friends A , BCC, FCC , MCC, CCC, Aiyan Cricketers, Bombay XI, Challenger Cricketers, Sharq United and YMCC .

Beginning from the league stages to the finals, all the match winners were honored with “Man of the Match” trophies along with “Best Batsmen” and “Best Bowler” for semi finals and finals respectively.

In the exciting final match, Challenger Cricketers emerged as champions by defeating Friends A1 by 3 runs. After winning the toss, Friends A1 elected to field and send Challenger Cricketers to bat who posted a total of 60/7 runs in the allotted 6 over’s and in reply Friends A1 fell short by 3 runs in chasing down the target. In the exciting last over, Friends A1 had required 24 runs to win; the Friends A1 batsmen smashed 3 huge sixes but fell short of the target and finished at 57/7 runs. Earlier Challenger Cricketers batted responsibly with quick running between the wickets and some huge hitting out of the grounds enabled them to post the respected total.

The teams which reached the quarter finals were: Q8 A, Desert Bulls, Friends A1 and Karavalli United Cricketers from Group A and Q8 B, Friends A, Challenger Cricketers and FCC from Group B.

The Concluding Ceremony was held in the presence of chief guests Vijay D'Souza (senior project engineer) representing Kuwait Engineering Industries (KEI) and Glen Corda (general manager) representing Al-Liwan Al-Kuwaity restaurant distributed trophies, cash prize and Medallions to winners and runner- up team members.

Mr. Jaison Lasrado conducted the prize distribution ceremony.

Trophies  were given away to the champions Challenger Cricketers (cash prize KD 222.000 with trophy), runners up Friends A1 (cash prize KD 111.000 with trophy). Man of the Match (Finals) was given to Mahesh from Challenger Cricketers, 'Best Batsmen' was given to Ram from Challenger Cricketers and 'Best Bowler' was given to Kadar from Challenger Cricketers.