Chaitanya revitalises Oman cricket by fully supporting two teams

MUSCAT, MAY 23

Al Turki NMC team owner Chaitanya Khimji has revitalised the pandemic-hit Oman Cricket League by announcing two teams fully supported by the well-known cricket promoter in the Sultanate.

In a surprise announcement at a function organised to celebrate Al Turki finishing runners-up in the 50-over championship, Chaitanya announced the name change of Al Turki team as ‘Oman Stallions’ while fully supporting ‘Yalla Shabab’ — a team under Vinu Mathew, former team manager of Assarain.

“Two teams are formed so that current players are supported and new players are motivated to raise their capabilities to national level participation. Both teams will encourage the inclusion of Omani nationals for the coming season.”

Most of former Premier Division champions Assarain players will be part of Yallah Shabab team, informed Vinu. Assarain management had decided to pull out the team from the competition.

“Most of Assarain players will be part of ‘Yalla Shabab’ which will participate in the Premier Division 50 overs and 20 overs formats’’, Vinu said.

“Our bunch of young players are hopeful to put up a top performance in the new season’’, Vinu, who had tasted success several times with Assarain, said.

The team name ‘Yalla Shabab’ was picked through a Facebook competition. Mohsin Javed, who was the winner, was awarded a cash prize of RO 100 for proposing the name.

The team’s Arabic name meant ‘let’s go, youngsters’ or ‘come on, youngsters’, explained Vinu as the team management wanted a local touch.

Both the teams will feature in the Premier Division 50 overs and 20 overs formats to spice up the 2021-22 cricket season.

Chaitanya also rewarded the Al Turki players with prizes while the team presented him a memento during the function at Grand Millenium Hotel.

“I am proud of the boys who worked very hard to reach these heights. In the next season, I will be happy to sponsor both the teams which are going to participate in the Premier Division 50-over and T20 formats’’, the veteran cricket-enthusiast added.

He said Al Turki players had played really well to only lose the championship to Muscat CT by virtue of net run-rate as the 2020-21 season was wrapped up early due to Covid-19.