Dubai: The fifth edition of the St Mary’s Veteran Premier League was launched on Thursday with Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) lauding the efforts of the Kerala Overseas Cricketers (KOC) in taking the tournament out of Kerala and staging it in Dubai.
The KOC, made up of former Kerala cricketers working in the UAE, is hosting the two-day tournament under the auspices of the Dubai Cricket Council (DCC) at the Dubai Sevens ground on Saturday and Sunday.
Addressing the gathering, Jayesh George, the secretary of the Kerala Cricket Association, said: “We are privileged to support an event of former Kerala state cricketers residing all over the world to come to Dubai and participate in a tournament. The KOC deserves credit for taking up this Herculean task of staging this tournament here.”
K. Mohan, a stylish left-handed batsman of the seventies, who is the president of the Veterans Cricketers Association of Kerala, said: “All the four editions were held in Kerala and during the fourth edition in Wayanad the cricketers mooted the idea of staging the next edition in Dubai. The KOC wholeheartedly welcomed the decision and with (former wicketkeeper) Ranjit Thomas coordinating with KOC from Kerala and with KCA’s and Dubai Cricket Council’s backing this tournament’s foreign debut has become a reality.”
Sunil Kumar, the secretary of the Veterans Association said that he never thought that this tournament will grow to such a level to be played abroad.
PG Sundar, who captains KOC team and has ensured that all plans are in place, said: “We take pride in being able to stage an event of such magnitude as over 100 former Kerala cricketers as well as officials will assemble at the Sevens ground and six teams divided into two pools will compete for the title.”
Elaborating on details of the tournament, Sundar said: “The matches will start from 8am and held at the two grounds of the Sevens simultaneously. On the first day, six matches will be played and two teams will be eliminated. The second day will see three matches which includes the two semi-finals and the final.”
During the launch, the team jersey was unveiled with Mohan presenting the jersey to Sarosh Abraham, the secretary of the St Mary’s Education and Cultural Association, who are the title sponsors. Abraham with P. Pardeep and Balakrishnan are the owners of defending champions Absolute Sobers team. The other teams are Malabar Warriors, JK Malabar Tigers, Kochi Royals, Kochi Muthoot Tuskers, and Travancore Panthers.
