Dubai: The third edition of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL), boosted by clinching a prominent place in Dubai Sports Council’s annual sports calendar will commence from November 1 at the Fair Ground Oval in Dubai’ Men’s College.
Announcing the event, Ghazi Al Madani, Sports Tourism Manager of the Dubai Sports Council said: “The KCL has helped our vision of providing sports for all. This tournament has been growing every year and it has proved to be a very successful event and hence this event will be ranked along with our other sports events at the end of this year.”
Teams named after all the districts in Kerala will battle for the winner’s trophy which also carries prize money of Dh70,000. The runners up team can win Dh40,000 and even the third and fourth placed teams can win Dh15,000 each.
Rajesh Pillai, the Director of KCL announcing total prize money of Dh165,000 for the participants said: “We are delighted with the response and progress of this tournament. With a focus on highlighting talent from Kerala we have provided platform to all the nationalities through this tournament.
“We are delighted that almost all the best players in the UAE are playing in this tournament and some of the top performers from the earlier editions of the KCL have been picked for international level tournaments.”
Anil Kumar, General Secretary of Willows Club, that launched this event and is the chief coordinator of the tournament lauded the support of the Dubai Sports Council. Abdul Kalam, Director of KCL elaborated on the event: “A total of 31 matches will be held from November 1 till the final scheduled on November 28. A total of sixteen teams representing one district each in Kerala and two provinces will contest.
“Each team must have at least seven members from Kerala in the playing eleven. This Twenty20 event will be held from 8pm till 11pm every day on weekdays and 6pm to 12pm on Fridays. The quarter-finals will commence from November 22 followed by semifinals on November 26 and 27.” The player of the tournament can pocket Dh5,000 while the best bowlers and batsman will be awarded Dh2,000 each.
