Inaugural edition of ‘Thumbay Premier T20 League’ concludes with grand presentation ceremony
OMA Emirates beat SEWA in a thrilling final
Dubai, Nov 17: The inaugural edition of the ‘Thumbay Premier T20 League’ launched by the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee of Dubai-based international conglomerate Thumbay Group, concluded on November 15, 2018. During the tournament, eight teams played a total of 16 matches for 15 days.
The tournament was conducted with the aim of encouraging community engagement among corporates, in line with the values of the ‘Year of Zayed’, and was launched under Thumbay Foundation, the charitable arm that supports the CSR activities of Thumbay Group.
Mr. Akram Moideen Thumbay – Director Operations - Construction & amp; Renovation Division and Director - Thumbay Technologies, also the Chairman of Thumbay Group’s CSR Committee, was the chief guest of the closing ceremony that was held at the Ajman Oval Cricket Ground. UAE cricketer Imran Haider was a special guest.
OMA Emirates emerged the winners of the tournament, defeating the runners-up Sharjah Electricity& Water Authority (SEWA) in the strongly contested final match. Mr. Akram Moideen Thumbay presented the trophies and certificates to the winning and runners-up teams as well as to individual achievers.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr. Akram Moideen Thumbay said: “This tournament
has achieved all its objectives. We thank the participating companies for their support. On behalf of Thumbay Group’s CSR Committee, I congratulate all of you for all your achievements during the past fortnight of exciting cricket.”
Stressing that the primary goal of the tournament was to promote humanitarian causes, Mr. Akram added, “We are glad to announce that the proceeds from this tournament by way of registration fees will be spent exclusively on humanitarian initiatives under Thumbay Group’s CSR Committee,” amidst loud cheers and applause. Mr. Akram promised that the next edition, in 2019, would be bigger and more exciting.
This year’s teams included: Novo Health Care, GECO IPL, Thumbay Group, Zulekha Hospital, SEWA, Emirates NBD, AW Rostamani and the OMA Emirates.
About Thumbay Group’s CSR Committee
The CSR Committee oversees the CSR activities and programs of Thumbay Group. It discusses and decides on practices relating to the company’s corporate social responsibility on a global basis, including matters related to education, health and safety, environment and community welfare.
The committee has successfully carried out several CSR programs at various parts of the country, promoting causes and activities benefiting low-income groups, women, children, various professional groups etc. Free medical and health camps for the public led by Thumbay hospitals and clinics are a regular activity conducted under the committee’s guidance and supervision, benefiting thousands of people, especially blue-collar workers. The committee also facilitates scholarships and financial assistance for academically bright and financially backward students desirous of pursuing professional medical courses.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Amid relentless rain, fans wear white jersey to honour Virat Kohli the Test cricketer
Bengaluru, May 17 (PTI): 'Every single one of us loves you Virat Kohli. Thank you for making Red Ball cricket exciting again' -- read a huge banner unfurled by fans near the Roger Binny Stand.
Despite the relentless rain that washed out Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL match against Kolkata Knight Riders, Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday became a beating theatre of white for one man — Virat Kohli, offering a fitting tribute to a cricketer who gave his everything for the format that is played in white.
It was an organic outpouring of affection for a player who placed Test cricket in the public conscience and was its most persuasive ambassador.
It was clear that the day belonged to Kohli as the fans queued up in white outside the stadium as early as 4.30 pm, carrying placards and wearing a white jersey with the famed No. 18 embossed on the back.
They wanted to catch a glimpse of Kohli, who generally sits in the front row of the team bus, hoping to get a glance back or a quick wave.
"Sir, avaru yavaga baruthare? (When will he come?)," an impatient fan would ask a group of scribes while walking through the ever-swelling crowd.
It was not just peak fandom. It mirrored the deep connection the city has developed with Kohli over the last 18 years.
All through these years, Kohli remained an unwavering RCBian, and the red and gold jersey was like a second skin for him.
"For me, the relationship and mutual respect that I have built with RCB over the years is the most valuable thing. Whether we win the trophy or not, it doesn't matter. This is my home," Kohli had said once.
In return, Bengaluru stayed loyal to Kohli even on times when the rest of the cricketing world derided him for his aggression or occasional petulance.
Kohli never had the pan-Indian God-like status of Sachin Tendulkar or was never adopted as 'Thala' as Chennai accepted MS Dhoni.
But he is as Bengalurean as anyone else, as indispensable to the city dwellers as a cup of morning coffee. Kohli has become their habit, an endearing addiction.
It's remarkable too. Karnataka has always been the hub of gentleman cricketers — from GR Viswanath to Anil Kumble to Javagal Srinath to Rahul Dravid, a proud lineage that matches the city's up-collared middle-class values.
But it wholeheartedly took an uber aggressive, non-Kannada speaking cricketer who is not hesitant to spit out a few expletives to the heart, and this strange wedlock should be studied from a socio-cultural angle.
Mo Bobat, the RCB team director, had touched upon that point, the Kohli-fan connection.
"He's about those special moments, those inspiring moments. He did that as captain, as a player, and we're all really proud of him. I'm sure the fans will show him lots of love this week when they see him again," Bobat had said.
However, the evening rains, part of the fast setting in monsoon in this part of the country, nearly undid their display of love.
But, the fans waited patiently — often chanting RCBEEE or Kooohli Kooohli.
Perhaps, it was a collective chant for the rains to move away and give them the chance for 'Kohli Darshan' — the RCB fans' version of 'Thala Darishanam', often used by Chennai Super Kings to describe Dhoni's sightings around the city.
But that moment never came as the skies opened up to washout the match between RCB and KKR.
The faithful had to contend with the visuals of a deeply thoughtful 'King' sitting in the dressing room that was often beamed on the big screen.
They welcomed those small crumbs of consolation with loud cheers, waving the RCB flags.
However, that's all there for them on a rain-drenched night.
But as Phil Collins famously sang there will be 'One More Night' for them to pay a more lively tribute to Kohli on May 23, when RCB face off against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
So, keep your whites dry Bengalurueans!
A fan of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli wears a number 18 white jersey, showing his stats and achievements, in his honour after he recently announced retirement from the test cricket, as the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders is delayed due to rain, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru | PC: PTI
