Mumbai: Unilazer Sports, the sports arm of Unilazer Ventures and the owner ofthe Mumbai Franchise -“U Mumba”,which will be a part of the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League, showcased its efforts to unearth local talent on Friday with its ambitious “U Mumba Future Stars” programme with the second round of Knock-Out tournaments featuring players from North Mumbai.
Conducted in three phases, the Knock-Out tournaments will feature the top 24 clubs from South Mumbai, North Mumbai and Thane district. Each region will witness 8 teams, representing respective clubs who would compete in Knock-Out challenge against opponents from the same region. Through rigorous tournaments, the four players from each of the three regions will form the“U Mumba Future Stars” team.
Today, the teams representing Om Creations Club and Arunoday Krida Mandal kicked off the North Mumbai tournaments amidst cheers and excitement at the Dharavi Sports Complex, Mumbai. Each team from the top 8 clubs put up a tough fight as they battled to qualify for the finals. The tournament also witnessed the presence of Ms. Snehal Salunke, International Kabaddi Champion and Asian Games 2012, Gold Medalistwho greeted and exchanged pleasantries with the players as the Chief Guest for the evening.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Supratik Sen, CEO – Unilazer Sportssaid, “The “U Mumba Future Stars” programme aims to create as a funnel process and serve as a platform for the introduction, development and eventual selection of local youth who would form the“U Mumba Future Stars” team. We aim to eventually facilitate tournaments across districts in Maharasthra which will be further extended as a state-level tournament.”
Arunoday Krida Mandal, Ghatkopar, was the first to set the match rolling as they competed with players from Om Creations, Khar, through an exciting match which lasted for approximately 45 minutes. Om Creationseventually lost out to the powerful raiding technique demonstrated by player Haridas Bhayde and the team’s raiders failed to counter-attack Amar Nivate in defense.
Also advancing to the semi-finals were Parle Sports Club, Siddhi Krida Mandal and Om Sai Krida Mandal. Parle Sports Club defeated Swastik Krida Mandal 44-25 before Siddhi Krida Mandal staged a late fight-back to overcome the challenge of G.S.P.M., Ghatkopar, 23-17.
The match between Siddhi Krida Mandal and GSPM turned out to be a contest of attrition as the lead kept changing hands through out the encounter before Raju Lohar and Rajesh Bendur showed all-round skills to take their team to victory.
The Chief Guest, Sneha Salunkhe was extremely impressed with the arrangements and facilities created for the tournament and also emphasized on the fact that such efforts were critical in promoting Kabaddi as a sport in the country.
Results (quarterfinals):
Arunoday Krida Mandal bt Om Creation 46-24; Parle Sports Club bt Swastik Krida Mandal 44-25; Siddhi Krida Mandal bt GSPM 23-17; Om Sai Krida Mandal bt Shivsena Krida Mandal 19-18.
The winning team will be announced at the end of the tournament this evening and will be rewarded with a cash prize of Rs. 15,000/-, the runners up will receive a prize of Rs. 10,000/- and the best player will be handed over Rs. 5000/-
The last phase of “U Mumba Future Stars” Knock-out challenge will be held tomorrow and will feature 8 teams representing the top clubs in Thane District. On conclusion of the Knock-Out Challenge, the strongest four players from the winning teams of each region will be selected to form “U Mumba Future Stars.”