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Tribune News Network
Doha
The QHSE Phoenix Chargers team were crowned champions at the Grand Finale of the Galfar Premier League 2021-2022 after a thrilling combat with GFM Snack Attack team at the Asian Town International Cricket Stadium.
Officials from Qatar Cricket Association handed over the trophy to the winning team along with Satish G. Pillai, executive director of Galfar Al Misnad; Anupam Kar of Galfar Al Misnad, general manager finance and Admin; and other members of the senior management of Galfar Al Misnad. Qatar Cricket Association was represented by Aminul Islam, Mohammad Jahangir and Hassan Raza.
Riyaz Cheeroth, sports and recreation manager, represented Asian Town. With just 14 runs required to win in the last over, the game could have gone either way but the QHSE Phoenix Chargers finally grabbed victory when their bowler Suni Mohan got GFM Snack Attack’s 10th man out with a crucial catch by Batan.
Galfar Premier League (GPL) is the employee cricket league of Galfar Al Misnad, a leading contracting company in Qatar. The company held its first tournament in Zubara in 2005, and since then it has been holding this sporting event regularly. Teams representing the company’s various departments compete with their batting, bowling and fielding skills to take home the prized trophy.
This year, a record 24 teams registered to participate and the league had to be held over four months to accommodate the total of 93 matches that made up the tournament.
The players stayed focused and energised right through the various difficulties, which included cold wind and dusty weather, rough playing terrains, and a long disruption of the league due to COVID-19 restrictions in the beginning of the year. All the teams were felicitated with certificates at the event for their commitment to the game.
Captain of QHSE Phoenix Chargers Vysakh P. Jayakrishnan was also awarded the individual trophies for Player of the Tournament, Best Bowler and Man of the Match (Final). GFM Snack Attack’s Gopakumar won the trophy for Best Batsman. The Man of the Match (Semi Final 1) went to Imran of QHSE Phoenix Chargers and Man of the Match (Semi Final 2) went to Vinod of GFM Snack Attack. The two other teams that reached the semi-finals, Wajba Warriors and Galfar Façade Warriors, were also rewarded with cash prizes.
This was the first big event the company conducted after the COVID-19 pandemic and despite the restricted crowds, the energy levels were high among all who attended the games. The professional facilities at the stadium and enthusiastic support from the spectators motivated both teams to perform their best.
Galfar Al Misnad has long recognised the important role that sports play in creating leaders, nurturing team players and boosting company morale and unity. It was this belief that led to the creation of the Galfar Sports Club, which offers the opportunity for all employees to participate in different sporting activities throughout the year.
The shining star of the club is the Galfar Cricket Club, which started playing competitive cricket in 2006.
Galfar Cricket Club plays in Qatar Cricket Association’s Premier Division and has made a mark for itself as one of the highest performing cricket teams in Qatar. Captain of the team, Mohammed Rizlan, is also the vice-captain of the Qatar National Cricket Team.
Galfar Cricket Club has contributed 16 players to the national squad, of which seven members are still currently representing Qatar in international cricket. Galfar Al Misnad is also the official sponsor of the Qatar National Cricket Team’s jerseys, making it the first private sponsor of the team.
“As a part of employee engagement, we initiated our participation in cricket in a small way more than one and half decades back. Today, I am thrilled to see that our team has done a wonderful job in promoting the game not only within the company, but also representing the nation on the international stage,” said Satish G. Pillai, executive director of Galfar Al Misnad.
The Galfar Sports Club plans to keep the renewed sporting momentum going with a Badminton tournament and Kabadi tournament planned for after Ramadan.
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05/04/2022
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