Media Release
Rakha, Jan 18: On Friday January 15, history was scripted as MASA. The well-known charitable organization organized their first-ever MASA Premier League Cricket Tournament (MPL–2021) season–1, ‘Artland Trophy’ for a noble cause at the DCA ground, here.
The inaugural tournament was powered by Artland Transport Service Co along with six franchisee team owners namely: Kudla Royal Challengers (KRC) of Naveen Shetty, Al Khobar, Sasihithlu Beach Boys (SBB) of Ravi Karkera, Intermodal SA 11 (IMS) of Messrs Vishwanath Hegde & Sadashiv Poojary, Namma Kudla Strikers (NKS) of Messrs Dayanand Shriyan & Naveen Bhandary, Kottara Katpady Royals (KKR) of Messrs Narendra Shetty and Jitesh Kottara, Gadi Nadu Warriors (GNW) of Messrs Gopal Shetty and Imran Karkala. It was co-sponsored by FEOL (Sathish Shetty), CLC Pest & Termite Control (Joy Suvarna), AYD (Mohammed Sharif), AKTS (Abdul Mohsen) and SASP (Yogeesh Poojary).
Also, it was generously supported by Messrs Naveen Bhandary, Khobar Seniors Group, Khobar Friends Group, Santhosh Shetty Dubai, Ameer Hussain, Sunil Puthran, Arun D’Souza, Uday Sanil, Usman Hosangadi and group, Ganesh Karkera, Sathish Bajal, Rajesh Shetty, Sudarshan Sanil, Kiran Upadhyaya.
GAaddinadu Warriors were the first to emboss their names, winning the tournament beating Sasihitlu Beach Boys in the finals to create history.
This prestigious tournament was played between six franchises owned by senior MASA members. Players were nominated from the pool of exclusive top-rated players who are members of the MASA and an elite bunch of non-members divided into six teams.
The teams were selected through a bidding process as players were scattered into different categories and each team given an equal number of points based on a select group of players. The bidding process was thoroughly conducted in a true manner of professionalism which was lauded by all.
The first of its kind, this format became very popular in the region and MASA is proud to say that many other associations are approaching the core committee members of MPL for guidance.
The core committee members were Ravi Karkera, Gopal Shetty, Ameer Hussain, Naveen Shetty and Sachin Hegde.
MASA being a charitable organization in the Eastern Province in KSA, is well known in the Middle East and coastal Karnataka for their noble service to humanity helping the downtrodden people in Karnataka irrespective of caste, creed and religion. MASA established in October 2006 has contributed around Rs 2 crore aid toward medical, educational and financial help to the needy back home in coastal Karnataka.
In 2020, during the COVID pandemic, MASA helped around Rs 15 lac people in need. Besides, locally in the region, MASA stretched out their helping hand to various individuals of Karnataka origin by arranging food and financial aid.
In addition to charity, which is its core objective, MASA has been instrumental over the years in developing hidden talents of the core MASA members, be it teens, youngsters, or the superstars of yesteryears. MASA is extremely proud to say that some of them are now established as international stars who started their journey in MASA.
Franchise Teams, Owners, Captains:
A large holiday crowd enjoyed the day with family and friends watching thrilling games with close encounters and nail-biting finish, relishing lovely snacks, lunch and braving the lusty weather adhering strictly to safety norms and maintaining social distancing.
Achievers for the daylong event:
Winners: Gadi Nadu Warriors - Vaishak Shetty and team of Imran Karkala and Gopal Shetty.
Runners up: Sasihithlu Beach Boys 11 – Yogananda Acharya and team of Ravi Karkera
Man of the series: Nisar Ahmad (GNW)
Bowler of the tournament: Naveen Salian (SBB XI)
Batsman of the tournament: Nisar Ahmad (GNW)
Maximum sixes: Sachin Hegde and Nisar Ahmad (GNW)
Man of the match in final: Sachin Hegde (GNW)
Man of the match in semi-final 1: Nisar Ahmad (GNW)
Man of the match in semi-final 2: Mohammed Kota (SBB)
Man of the match in league matches: Nisar Ahmad (GNW), Sachin Hegde (GNW), Afwan Karkala (SBB), Naveen Salian (SBB), Haris Bajal (KRC), Sudhir Shetty (KKR).
Prize distribution ceremony was conducted professionally by the sports committee head, Ameer Hussain. Chief guest, Joel Gomes, representing Artland Transport Co, dignitaries, guests, sponsors, franchise owners, EXCOM and advisory com members were welcomed to the dais.
MASA president, Naveen Bhandari warmly welcomed the guests’, participants and thanked the sponsors for their valuable contributions. He appreciated the effort of the core committee members in bringing out such a wonderful format of MPL 2021. The extraordinary effort of Gopal Shetty in arranging attractive trophies, uniforms, mementos and ground facilities were highlighted during his address.
Ravi Karkera from the advisory committee congratulated the winners, all the participating teams and team members for their contribution in bringing sunshine into someone’s life by participating in this MPL 2021, cricket tournament which is played for a noble cause in a true sportsman spirit. He also thanked all the sponsors, franchise owners, MASA members who supported wholeheartedly with their generous contributions. Perennial contributions and great support from philanthropist Mr. Joey Fernandes were remembered during this special occasion.
Sports Committee Head Ameer Hussain thanked everyone who was responsible for the success of the tournament, including the participants, sponsors, volunteers and committee members, who contributed in every possible way to make this event a memorable one.
The basking glory of this stupendous success of the inaugural MASA MPL is credited to the sponsors, the core committee, MASA members, players, participants and the lovely crowd who witnessed a historic and memorable event that was paralleled symbolically in line to the IPL.
MASA extends their wholehearted appreciation and sincerely thanks every individual who directly or indirectly contributed to making this event a grand success, indeed a thrilling exciting and rejoicing day for all to remember.