Saudi Arabia: Exciting and thrilling MASA Premier League 2021 – Season 1

Riyadh: On Friday, the 15th Jan 2021 history was scripted as MASA the well-known charitable organization organized the first ever MASA PREMIER LEAGUE CRICKET TOURNAMENT (MPL – 2021) season – 1, ‘ARTLAND TROPHY’ for a noble cause at the DCA ground in Rakha Saudi Arabia.

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 & Jitesh Kottara, Gadi Nadu Warriors (GNW) of Messrs. Gopal Shetty & Imran Karkala.

Co-sponsored by FEOL (Sathish Shetty), CLC Pest & Termite Control (Joy Suvarna), AYD (Mohammed Sharif), AKTS (Abdul Mohsen) and SASP (Yogeesh Poojary). Also, 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 & Group, Ganesh Karkera, Sathish Bajal, Rajesh Shetty, Sudarshan Sanil, Kiran Upadhyaya.

GADDINADU WARRIORS became the first to emboss their name winning the tournament beating SASIHITLU BEACH BOYS in the final and 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 select group of players. The bidding process was thoroughly conducted in true manner of professionalism which was lauded by all. 

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 & 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 cast, creed and religion. MASA established in October, 2006 has contributed around Rs 2 crores of aid towards Medical, Educational and financial help to the needy back home in Coastal Karnataka.

In the year 2020 during the COVID pandemic MASA helped around Rs 15 lacs to the people in need.  Besides, locally in the region, MASA stretched their helping hands to various individuals belonging to Karnataka origin by arranging food and financial aid.   

Apart from 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 yester years. 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 & Team of Imran Karkala & Gopal Shetty.
RUNNERS UP: SASIHITHLU BEACH BOYS 11 – Yogananda Acharya & 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 & 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 Sports Committee Head, Ameer Hussain. Chief Guest, Joel Gomes, representing ARTLAND Transport Co, Dignitaries, Guests, Sponsors, Franchise Owners, EXCOM & Advisory Com members were welcomed to the dais. 

MASA President Naveen Bhandari warmly welcomed the guest’s participants and thanked sponsors for their valuable contributions. He appreciated the effort of Core Committee Members for bringing out such a wonderful format of MPL 2021. The extra ordinary effort of Gopal Shetty in arranging attractive Trophies, uniforms, mementos and ground facilities are highlighted during his address. 

Ravi Karkera from Advisory Committee congratulated winners, all the participating teams and team members for their contribution in bringing up sunshine in someone’s life by participating in this MPL 2021, Cricket tournament which is played for noble cause with true sportsmen spirit.  He also thanked all sponsors, franchise owners, Masa members who supported whole heartedly 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 were responsible for the success of the tournament, including the participants, sponsor’s, 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 all the lovely crowd who witnessed an historic and memorable event which was paralleled symbolically in line to the IPL. 

MASA extends their wholehearted appreciation and sincerely would like to thank every individual who directly or indirectly contributed to make this event a grand success, indeed a thrilling exciting & rejoicing day for all to remember.