RIYADH — A colorful event was organized in Riyadh Palace Hotel as a curtain raiser for the Youm Al-Watani Cup 2016 (YWC-16). The fourth edition of the tournament was launched by GK International Indian Sports Club. This year's tourney will be played with hard ball at the Riyadh Cricket Association (RCA) grounds. The event is jointly organized by GK international Indian Sports Club (GKIISC) with Riyadh Cricket Association (RCA) under the auspices of Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC). YWC is played as a part of celebration of Kingdom's national day (Youm Al-Watani) and a large number of officials from the cricket fraternity were present on the occasion. Mohammed Kaleem, general secretary of GKIISC, welcomed the gathering. Dr. Gayas Ahmed Sattar, president of GKIISC, presented a brief history of KSA and GK club. He also gave a glance of the upcoming YWC-16. GKIISC felicitated sports personalities who worked for the promotion and development of cricket in KSA. Tariq Javed, president, RCA; Feroz Khan, executive member of GKIISC; Nasir Mehmood Abbasi, general secretary of RCA; former Saudi cricket team captain and RCA CEO Mohammed Nadeem Baber and Nadeem A. Nadwi, SCC CEO, were all felicitated for their tireless and valuable support to the promotion and development of the game in the Kingdom. The chief guest Nadeem Nadwi unveiled the YWC-16 winner's trophy and explained SCC's efforts in the progress of cricket in the country. Due to the untiring efforts of SCC the Kingdom has jumped to higher position in ICC ranking. Abassi, general secretary of RCA, gave a brief picture of the association's activities since its start in 1980. He also gave details of the YWC-16 formats. It will see 40-over matches played by top teams of Riyadh on a league-cum-knockout basis. Tariq Javed, who presided over the function, hailed the efforts of GK Club and RCA in promoting the game. He unveiled the runner–up trophy and congratulated YWC-16 and wished success. Shahid Siddiqui, AGM, Arab National Bank, and the guest of honor, said he was very happy to be a part of YWC-16. He unveiled the fair play trophy which was instituted in memory of his friend, bank colleague Corporate Manager and cricketer Abdul Aziz Shameem Khan. Guest of honor Aziz Ameen, director of friendi mobiles, distributed gift coupons to lucky draw winners. Asif Shaikh and Riyaz of AR Sports distributed bats to the lucky draw winners. Representatives from GTWA, AIUS, JAMIA, NRI-Forum, IICC, WCT, Mumtaz Group and Amouba also attended the function. Jaweed Ali, compered the whole program and thanked the guests, participants and well wishers.
