Vidvar Boys Mangalore clinch title at Gangolli Premier League VI in Sharjah
Sharjah, UAE: Vidvar Boys Mangalore emerged as champions of the sixth edition of the Gangolli Premier League (GPL), defeating Team Shine Mangalore South in a thrilling final held at the Bejoice Cricket Club Ground in Bateaya, Sharjah.
Organized by Gangolli Cricketers UAE, the hard tennis cricket tournament took place on March 29 and featured eight competitive teams. The event, widely regarded as a cricket carnival among the UAE’s coastal Karnataka community, unfolded in a vibrant setting with enthusiastic crowds, colorful team jerseys, and favorable weather conditions following recent rains.
The participating teams included Team Nafis Farangipet, Dimx Blaster Bengaluru, Vidvar Boys Mangalore, Team Shine Mangalore South, Al Sitara Friends Udupi, Kundapura Ptech Risers, Strikers Gangolli, and SM Warriors Upper Gangolli. The tournament followed a league format, dividing teams into two groups of four, with the top performers advancing to the semi-finals.
Strikers Gangolli, Al Sitara Friends Udupi, Team Shine Mangalore South, and Vidvar Boys Mangalore progressed to the semi-finals after a series of closely contested matches, many of which were decided in the final overs.
In the championship match, Vidvar Boys Mangalore delivered a dominant performance to secure the title. Captain Shiva Prasad Kateel played a pivotal role in the team’s success and was named both Man of the Match and Player of the Tournament. Kirtan Shetty received the Best Bowler award, while Junaid B was recognized as Best Batsman. The Sameer Fair Play Award was presented to Al Sitara Friends Udupi for their discipline and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.
The closing ceremony was attended by Taj Jamal, Sunil Shetty, Mohamed Akram, Mohamed Shafi, and Zaheer Baikampady.
Earlier in the day, organizers held a memorial assembly in tribute to the late Mohamed Sameer Shareef, who passed away a week prior. Friends, family members, players, and spectators gathered to honor his contributions, observing a two-minute silence. Prayers were recited by Mohamed Irshad Udupi, and the session was compered by Cleven Shirva.
Speaking on behalf of the organizing team, Althaf Khalife acknowledged Sameer’s contributions to the league and thanked all participating teams, sponsors, and volunteers for their support. Key sponsors included Northern Insurance Brokers LLC, Tanzeem Auto Garage and Final Touch Auto Service, Dimx Atelier Interior Design LLC, and Vivek Nayak Gangolli.
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Malayalam film director Ranjith remanded in sexual assault case; FEFKA takes action
Kochi (PTI): A court here on Wednesday sent noted Malayalam film director Ranjith to judicial custody after he was arrested late last night in connection with an attempted sexual assault case.
Following his remand, the director claimed that the accusations against him were "false" and that he would be able to prove it.
He made the claim before reporters while being taken inside the sub-jail here.
Even as the director claimed innocence, state Culture Minister Saji Cherian indicated that the government and the police were with the victim, and the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) recommended suspension of Ranjith's membership from the directors and writers unions.
The police said that the victim was "traumatised" by the incident and had to undergo counselling and psychiatric treatment before she could come forward with the complaint.
Kochi City Police Commissioner S Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar said that a Special Investigation Team was formed after recording the victim's statement, and then the allegations were discreetly verified before moving forward with the arrest.
"It should not happen to any woman, especially at the workplace," he told reporters here.
The officer also said that the director had attempted to remove himself from the area.
Kumar also said that the biggest challenge before the police was to maintain the confidentiality of the case and protect the identity of the victim.
He also said that there were several witnesses to the alleged sexual assault, as the incident happened on a shooting set.
The officer said that the evidence collection was progressing, and the director's custody will be sought when required.
FEFKA general secretary B Unnikrishnan told reporters here that there was no complaint made to the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in connection with the incident.
FEFKA is an association of several craft unions in the Malayalam film industry.
Ranjith was taken into custody from the Idukki district on Tuesday evening, and subsequently, his arrest was recorded.
He was produced at the residence of a magistrate here in the morning and remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.
The case against Ranjith was registered by Kochi City Police a few days ago based on the victim's complaint.
Earlier in the day, Cherian told reporters that "such acts will not be accepted by the government or the society" and that the government and the police were with the victim.
Ranjith was appointed as chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy in 2022 and resigned from the post in 2024.
The minister said that the director was appointed to the post because he was qualified for it, and at that time, there were no such allegations against him.
"He carried forward the academy in a good way. When such allegations came up earlier, he had left the position. We are viewing the repetition of the same allegations against him seriously. Neither the police nor the government is protecting him," he said.
He said that the quick action taken against the director is an outcome of the recent changes in the movie sector, including holding of the cinema conclave and the state film policy.
"Let the investigation take its course," he added.
The minister also said that anyone in the film sector having similar bad experiences can come forward with a complaint and stand firm on it, as the government will be with them.
According to the police, the woman actor alleged that the director had invited her to a caravan during the shooting of a film and attempted to sexually assault her.
Ranjith had earlier faced allegations of sexual harassment following revelations in the Justice K Hema Committee report on harassment and abuse in the Malayalam film industry.
In 2024, a case was registered against Ranjith after a Bengali actress filed a complaint with the Kochi City Police Commissioner.
The complaint, sent via email, alleged that Ranjith had touched her inappropriately with sexual intent after inviting her to act in the film Paleri Manikyam in 2009.
