KHOBAR - Eastern province Cricket Association (EPCA) honored its victorious teams, top performers and young and promising cricketers at an annual prize distribution ceremony here recently. EPCA patron Shaikh Bader Khalifa Al-Gosaibi, Managing Director of Khalifa A. Al-Gosaibi Holding Co., graced the function which was attended by Saudi Cricket Center (SCC) officials and officers from other cricket associations of the Kingdom. Guest of honor Hasan Kabir, President and CEO of SCC was accompanied by SCC Development Manager Nadeem Nadvi and executive council members Iftikhar Husain, Sadiqul Islam and Qasim Naqvi. Sheikh Bader Khalifa Al-Gosaibi was the chief guest. Salem Al-Hajri of Alturki Group and E.K. Mohammad Shafi, Principal of the International Indian School (IIS), Dammam, were also present. The function began with recitation from the Holy Qur'an by Qari Haroon of IIS, Dammam. EPCA President Abdul Aziz Al-Naimi thanked all the guests, sponsors, teams and players and called for more strenuous efforts to make EPCA stronger. He highlighted the developments and achievements of EPCA in the past two years. He has also announced the future plans and programs. Bader Al-Gosaibi reaffirmed his continued support to EPCA and congratulated all the winning clubs. Nadeem Nadwi thanked and congratulated EPCA for organizing the function and pledged SCC's full support to EPCA for promoting cricket. E.K. Mohammad Shafi also thanked EPCA and promised IISD's support to EPCA. Bader Al-Gosaibi and Salem Al-Hajri awarded the championship trophies to captains of the winning and runner-up teams. Special awards: Hidayath of ADPCO CC - best batting aggregate and average trophies for the 2006-07 Main League, Sadiq Rafiq of Hyderabadi Hawks - best bowling aggregate trophy for Main League; Sajid Ansari - best bowling average prize. For Alturki Knockout Tournament 2006-07: Best batting award - Ansar Ali of Hyderabadi Hawks; best batting average - Sohrab of ADPCO; best bowling - Sadiq Rafiq of Hyderabadi Hawks (both trophies for best aggregate and best average). 2007-08 Main League: Best batting aggregate and average - Kashif of Suzuki Saudia; best bowling aggregate - Nadim of Asia XI; best average bowling - Sunil of Khalifa A. Al-Gosaibi. Saudi Readymix Knockout Tournament: Best batting aggregate - Sohrab of ADPCO; best batting average - Syed Amin of ADPCO; best bowling aggregate - Amin Saifullah of K.A. Al-Gosaibi; best bowling average - Shafiq of Asia XI. Players, who participated in the ACC tournaments, were also given certificates and gifts by the EPCA. Hasan Kabir awarded the prizes. Mohammad Osama Arif, Aqib Abdul Rauf, Mohsin Shabbir and Nabil Kazi got appreciation certificates and gifts for participating and winning ACC U-19 Cup held in Thailand. Abdus Samad, Hamad Nawed Akram the youngest Saudi cricketer, Ahmed Sajjad Nawab and Aoun Mohammed Abedi got certificates and gifts for participating in ACC U-15 Cup held in Katmandu, Nepal. Trophies were also given by the EPCA President to the Umpires and Excom members of EPCA. As a token of appreciation a trophy was given to Babul for his services to EPCA. All EPCA sponsors were given special appreciation trophies. A special plaque was awarded Bader Khalifa Al-Gosaibi. Abdul Aziz Al-Naimi thanked the sponsors, SCC officials, guests, teams and players and all those cooperated who EPCA. __
