Saudi Arabia enter cricket: Announce partnership with ILT20
Dubai (PTI): Saudi Arabia has ventured into mainstream cricket for the first time, announcing a strategic partnership with International League T20 (ILT20) which would ensure that all six participating franchises in the event will have to absorb at least one player from the oil-rich kingdom.
Under the partnership, the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) has sanctioned and licensed the DP World ILT20, which is approved by the Emirates Cricket Board, as an official T20 league (men and women) to host matches within Saudi Arabia in its forthcoming seasons.
"Saudi Arabia players will also have a direct pathway into the DP World ILT20. Notably, the DP World ILT20 Season 4 Player Auction, scheduled for Wednesday, will require each franchise to secure at least one player from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," read a statement from ILT20.
In the coming years, ILT20 matches will also be staged in Saudi Arabia, which hosted a cricket festival earlier this month "to create a new ecosystem" for the sport in the country. The ILT20 has featured reputed former players like Dwayne Bravo, Jonathan Trott and David Warner among others.
"We are very proud to announce our partnership with the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation. Saudi Arabia is a key part of the Gulf region, and its commitment to developing cricket is inspiring," ILT20 Chairman Khalid Al Zarooni said.
Chairman of Saudi Arabia Cricket Federation (SACF) Prince Saud Bin Mishal Al-Saud said the partnership is a reflection of his commitment to develop cricket in his country.
"It also provides a platform for fan engagement within the Kingdom and opens up further avenues for developing the game across infrastructure and tourism...," he added.
David White, CEO ILT20, called it a significant step to grow the game across the Gulf region.
The ILT20 Season 4 will begin on December 2 and will feature 34 matches, ending with the final on January 4, 2026.
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Temple money belongs to deity, cannot be used to save cooperative banks: SC
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New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday said that money belonging to a temple deity cannot be used to prop up financially distressed cooperative banks.
The sharp observations were made by a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi while hearing appeals filed by a few cooperative banks challenging a direction of the Kerala High Court asking them to return the deposits to the Thirunelly Temple Devaswom.
"You want to use the temple money to save the bank? What is wrong with directing that the temple money, instead of being in a cooperative bank which is breathing with great difficulty, should go to a healthy nationalised bank which can give maximum interest," the CJI asked.
Temple money belongs to the deity and hence, the money has to be "saved, protected and utilised only for the interests of the temple" and it cannot become a source of income or survival for a cooperative bank, the CJI said.
The pleas against the high court order were filed by Mananthawady Co-operative Urban Society Ltd and Thirunelly Service Cooperative Bank Ltd.
The high court had directed five cooperative banks to close the Devaswom's fixed deposits and refund the entire amount within two months, following repeated refusals by the banks to release the matured deposits.
The bench was unconvinced with the submissions of the banks that the abrupt direction of the high court was causing difficulties.
The bench said the banks should establish credibility among the people.
"If you are unable to attract the customers and deposits, that is your problem," it said.
The top court refused to entertain the pleas.
It, however, permitted the banks to approach the high court for extension of time to comply with the impugned order.
The case arose from a plea filed by the Thirunelly Devaswom after several cooperative banks refused to repay the temple's fixed deposits despite repeated requests.
The high court had directed Thirunelly Service Cooperative Bank Ltd, Susheela Gopalan Smaraka Vanitha Cooperative Society Ltd, Mananthawady Cooperative Rural Society Ltd, Mananthawady Co-operative Urban Society Ltd, and Wayanad Temple Employees Cooperative Society Ltd to return the funds within two months.
