Shining Mangalore Kuwait wins KPL Season 2 under floodlights in Kuwait
Kuwait: The second season of the Karnataka Premier League (KPL) concluded under floodlights in Kuwait, with Shining Mangalore Kuwait emerging as champions after a strong run through the tournament.
The competition featured seven teams made up exclusively of players from Karnataka. Matches were played over two weeks and marked the first-ever floodlight cricket tournament organised for the Karnataka community in Kuwait.
In the first semifinal, MKCC faced Black Panther. After winning the toss and opting to field, MKCC restricted Black Panther to 28 for six in five overs. MKCC chased the target comfortably, winning by eight wickets. Husain Shaikh was named Man of the Match for his performance.
In the second semifinal, Shining Mangalore took on Ayansh Oriental 11. Electing to field, Shining Mangalore limited their opponents to 38 for five in five overs. They went on to chase the target successfully, winning by seven wickets. Rifaz Malik, who scored 17 runs off nine balls, received the Man of the Match award.
In the final, MKCC posted 51 for three in five overs. Shining Mangalore chased down the total with confidence, winning by eight wickets to clinch the championship trophy. Musthafa Kalladka was awarded Man of the Match in the final.
Melrick Dsouza was declared Man of the Series and Best Batsman for his consistent performances throughout the tournament. Rakesh Kumar of Black Panther was named Best Bowler. Siddik Ranthadka received the Best Fielder award, while Firoz Jeppu was recognised as Best Wicket Keeper.
The prize distribution ceremony was attended by Chief Guest Soudhan Shetty of Oriental Hotel, Satheesh of Karavali Hotel, Hussain Bava of Hotel Sangeetha, Naveen William, owner of MKCC, Shareef Vamanjoor of Amal Mustaqbal, Ibrahim Muloor of Kuwait Express Cargo, Latheef Vamanjoor of Time Zone Watches, Thameem Moosa Ullal, manager of Shining Mangalore, along with Bader Muneer Uchila, Sunil Dsouza and Ishwar Moolya.
The tournament was organised by Tuluva Brothers Kuwait, with coordination and support from Naresh, Ravi Poojari and Sourabh Shetty from Mangalore. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Clinton.
Organisers said the successful conduct of KPL Season 2 reflected the strong unity and passion for cricket among the Karnataka community in Kuwait and laid the groundwork for future editions of the tournament.
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Modi should leverage his ties with world leaders to de-escalate war in West Asia: Omar Abdullah
Jammu (PTI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said India can play a meaningful role in de-escalation in West Asia, given Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong relations with the warring countries and their neighbours.
He said Pakistan was leveraging ties with Iran and the United States, and that any effort towards ending the war should be welcomed.
"As I said in the House (Assembly), we would like the war to end as soon as possible. The role that the prime minister can play may not be possible for anyone else because of his good relations with all these countries," Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
He, however, said any escalation would not be easy to manage.
"Any such move by US President Donald Trump, despite the long history of Iran resisting external domination, would not be easy," the chief minister said.
Asked about Pakistan mediating in the war, he said, "I will simply say that if any country can play a role in preventing this war, no one should have any objection to it."
He added, "I will repeat what I said … our prime minister has good and close relations with all countries — whether it is Israel, the United States, Iran, or the countries around Iran. If those relationships can be used to make some progress and help ease the situation, it would be a good thing."
Abdullah said attacks by terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in India, as suggested by a report from the United States, are not unlikely.
Meanwhile, he asserted that any efforts to end the war, be it from Pakistan, must not be resisted.
"Pakistan is using its good relations with Iran and the United States to its advantage, and it has done so. How can we object to that? If that angle helps in stopping the war, would you want them not to act and let the war continue? We want the war to stop. If any country can play a role in that, it should. And if we can play an even better role, then we should do so," he said.
On unemployment in J-K, the chief minister said the issue cannot be resolved overnight, and government jobs alone are not the solution.
He stressed the need to explore alternative avenues, highlighting the importance of Mission Yuva in promoting entrepreneurship.
"Mission Yuva provides not just funding but also support in preparing DPRs and post-startup assistance, such as marketing. In just nine months, distributing Rs 1,000 crore and approving numerous schemes is a significant achievement," he said.
Abdullah credited the coordination between the government and Jammu and Kashmir Bank for the scheme's progress.
