Players from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia will see action in the TCF cricket tournament that begins at the Baghdadiya ground (opposite Madina Palace hotel) on March 21, organizers said. Sixteen teams are taking part in the event.

“This is the sixth edition of our tournament. We are happy to say that our tournaments in the past five years were highly successful,” said Anwar Sadath, president of Tellicherry Cricket Forum (TCF). Tariq Mishkhas, Malayalam News editor-in-chief, will open the event at 8:30 p.m.

This year the tournament’s trophy is named after the main sponsor Bupa powered by FSN (Faisal S. Al Naimi Est). Al-Abeer, Strike, Khind, Arcoma Crown and ABC Cargo are the other sponsors, the president said.

“TCF vision is to become one of the prime organizers of sports, particularly cricket, in the Middle East. We also want to educate the society on the importance of sports in maintaining good health,” Sadath told Arab News.

TCF also aims to create opportunities for talented youth to develop their skills. “We also bring expatriate communities of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh together under this tournament to have a bit of fun and excitement through the most popular game in the sub-continent,” said media chief Abdul Khader Mochery, adding that Yahya Sharief, a Saudi, is the captain of one team.

The tournament will be conducted on day/night basis. “There will be four pools of four teams; each team will play three matches in the first round and four top teams qualify for the semifinals,” said Secretary Mohammed Faseesh. Finals will be played on April 11.

Apart from Bupa winners and FSN runner-up trophies, various other prizes will be given to the players such as Man of the Matches award for all matches, Best batsman, Best bowler, Man of the series, Best Fielder, Best all-rounder, Fastest 50 along with “Spirit of the game” award for a team which shows their utmost sportsmen spirit and discipline.

There will be fun games and instant cricket quiz during the match breaks and winners will get Khind-sponsored gifts. Exciting prizes including air tickets and other bumper prizes will be given away to spectators, the media chief said.

Ghaith Al-Johani, senior manager media & activation, and Mohammed Hanno, senior manager finance from Bupa Arabia, Afsal Babu Adiraja, regional manager –FSN, Hamza Al-Haddar, divisional manager Arcoma Crown, Ismail Yamani, regional manager Khind and Abdul Aziz Vazhakkad Jeddah branch manager ABC Cargo attended a press conference held on the occasion.