Ali awrded Man of the Match award
SHIPPING COMPANIES CRICKET TOURNAMENT (SCCT) commenced in the year 2004, initiated by the former captain of ABGCC Mr. William Bill Young, who later was nominated the Chairman of SCCT by the organizing committee. The SCCT commenced with an underlying thought of having more friendly interaction with the people associated with the shipping industry in Kuwait and also to exhibit some cricketing skills among the playing members.
Over the years SCCT cricket matches are played with some serious competition among the participating teams. Though ABGCC holds the honor of having won the championship for the maximum number of times there has been some fiercely competitive teams vying for the honors.
The participating teams for SCCT are as follows,
1. Al Rashed International Shipping Co
2. Sharaf Shipping Agency
3. Gulf Agency Company
4. Wilhelmsen Ship Services
5. Dana Kuwait Shipping & Forwarding Co
6. Inchcape Shipping Services
7. Kuwait Transcontinental Shipping Co.
8. Al Bader Shipping Co
The organizing committee of SCCT ‘2014 did a marvelous job in conducting the entire tourney on turf ground, at the facility of KCA in Sulaibiya and to add flavor to it the matches were played under flood lights. The opening ceremony wore a grand look with diplomats and ambassadors of Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan invited to do the honors of commencing the matches.
The Shipping Companies Cricket Tournaments are regularly sponsored by the Kuwait Shipping Companies & Agents Association. (KSCAA) The tournaments are jointly organized & co-sponsored by Al- Rashed International Shipping Co and Al Bader Shipping Co.
Murad Bebehani the distributor for TIK TOK watches in Kuwait was gracious enough to sponsor watches for all the members of finalists. They also sponsored the watches for the ‘Guess and Win’ contest for all the matches for the tournament for 2014. Our sincere thanks to the sponsor.
The Man of the Match award accompanied with a cash award of USD 25/- for every match was a unique feature introduced by Trans Continental Shipping Services Co that is an integral part of the co-sponsor Al Bader Shipping Co.
The Shipping Companies Cricket Tournament-2014 was declared open by H.E. C.A.H.M. Wijeratne, Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the State of Kuwait , at the Kuwait cricket facilities in Sulaibiya Turf Ground.
The other dignitaries present for the occasion were Mr. Shubashis Goldar, Deputy Chief of Mission & Counselor of the Republic of India to the State of Kuwait, Mr. Muhammad Hassan Wazir, Deputy Head of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mr. Muhammad Arif Butt, President Pakistan business council Kuwait and Mr. Hafiz Muhammad Shabbir Member Overseas Pakistanis Advisory Council –OPAC (by Govt of Pakistan)
The executive director of the Kuwait Shipping Companies & Agents Association, Mr. Ahmed Eid along with Mr. Abdulrahman Al Amin, Group General Manager of Al Bader Group of Companies was also present.
The Director General Kuwait Cricket, Mr. Asad Baig happen to witness the entire proceedings and did grace the occasion with his presence. Our thanks are attributable to him for providing us with the necessary facilities.
The function commenced with hoisting of the national flag of Kuwait by Mr. Abdulrahman Al Amin followed by hoisting of the Kuwait Shipping Companies & Agents Association flag by Mr. Ahmed Eid and finally the team flags were hoisted by the individual senior managers of all the eight participating teams in this year’s tournament. The flag hoisting was then followed by cutting of the cake, flying of the doves by the dignitaries present for the occasion and flying of the balloons by the captains of all the 8 teams.
This is the 11th consecutive year of conducting the SCCT hence a cricket bat has been signed by all the dignitaries present and handed over to the captains together to mark the tournament open.
There were mementos and bouquets given away to the guest on the occasion.
The organizing committee under the guidance from Mr. Rajiv Menon of Al-Rashed International Shipping Co and Mr. Mahmood Ismail of Al-Bader Shipping did an impressive job of conducting the entire program from the word go. In all 34 matches were played between the competing teams the final match was Al Bader Shipping Co & Al Rashed International Shipping Company.
Al Bader created a record this year by winning a SCCT tournament for the third consecutive year . Al Bader won the final by 9 wickets in hand
SCCT 2014 witnessed a sparingly final match – when Al Bader Shipping Co faced Al Rashed Shipping Co at Kuwait Cricket’s Turf Wicket flood - lit stadium in Sulaibiya.
Winning the toss, Al Rashed Shipping Co elected to bat first. Naushad scored (60) runs & Rajeev scored (27) runs bringing their total to 153 for loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. Yohan of Al Bader bagged two wickets & Aejaz took one wicket.
Chasing 154, Ali of Al Bader played an excellent innings by making (112) runs that includes (11 sixes & 3 fours) & Sajid scored (23) runs. Luciano of Al Rashed bagged one wicket.
Ali Aftab of Al Bader was declared Man of the Match for his excellent all round performance & brilliant knock of hundred. The Man of the Match award and a cash award was sponsored by Trans Continental Shipping Services Co.
There was a grand prize distribution ceremony attended by all the participating teams, Visitors in the gallery & friends & relative of the players & cricket fans.
This was followed by a grand Dinner at stadium sponsored by organizing committee
Our thanks are due to Kuwait Shipping Agents Association for sponsoring the trophies for the tournament.
Inchcape Shipping Services won the ‘Fair Play Award’
Among the guest in the stadium, we had a number of VVIP that includes the below mentioned:
Mr.Shubashis Goldar, The Deputy Chief of Mission & Counselor, The Embassy of Indian.
Mr.Esam Al Bader, Chairman of Al Bader Shipping Co.
Mr.Abdulrahmanamin, Group General Manager of Al Bader Group.
Mr.Pradeep Menon, Finance Manager-Corporate, Al Rashed International Shipping Co.
Mr.Asad Baig, Director General of Kuwait Cricket.