Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Gujarat
Gujarat, Jan 27: Tulunadu Aisiri Charitable Trust, Vapi, Gujarat, organised its Annual Cricket Tournament–2026 last Sunday at the Sai Cricket Stadium in Silvassa, one of the five villages of Aisiri. The third annual edition of the tournament was inaugurated by Green Hero of India awardee Dr R K Nair by lighting the ceremonial lamp, in the presence of Tulunadu Aisiri president Naveen Shetty Heruru and office-bearers.
The tournament was held with the participation of eight men’s teams and three women’s teams, with eight-over matches for men and five-over matches for women. Teams included two men’s and one women’s team from Baroda and Surat, two men’s and one women’s team from Silvassa, one men’s team from Daman, and one men’s and one women’s team from Vapi.
In the men’s category, the Silvassa Warriors team emerged as winners, securing the first place along with a cash prize of Rs 15,000 and the winners’ trophy. The Surat team finished runners-up, receiving Rs 11,000 in cash along with the runners-up trophy. In the women’s category, the Surat women’s team clinched the winners’ title, while the Silvassa women’s team and the Vapi women’s team secured the runners-up positions. Dr R K Nair encouraged the teams by awarding Rs 25,000 and Rs 10,000 to the Silvassa team and congratulated them.
In the men’s division, Ravindra Shetty led the Coastal Karnataka Baroda (A) team under the leadership of Shashidhar B Shetty, while Suresh Shetty captained the Baroda (B) team led by Madan Gowda Moodigere. Suresh Poojary captained the KFC Surat (A) team, Deekshya Poojary led the Surat Karunada Blasters (B) team, Love Ameen captained the Silvassa Warriors (A) team, Shivanath Prabhu led the Silvassa Warriors (B) team, Nagaraj Putran captained the SKC Daman team, and Niketan Shetty served as captain of the Vapi Tulunadu Aisiri team. In the women’s category, Shubha Alva captained the Silvassa Warriors team, Soumya Poojary led the Surat team, and Bharathi Shetty captained the Vapi team.
The matches began in the morning and concluded in the evening, followed by a prize distribution ceremony. Tournament conveners Chetan Gowda and Sharath Shetty stated that the sports meet was organised purely for entertainment and unity, and not as a competitive rivalry.
Those present at the event included Surat Karnataka Samaj president Radhakrishna Shetty; Aisiri vice-presidents Venkatesh S Poojary (Iruvailu), Silvassa, Uday Shetty, Divakar Shetty Valsad, Sadashiva Poojary and Amit Shetty, Silvassa; secretary Pusharaj Shetty; treasurer Ganesh Shetty; Anil Shetty; Sukesh Shetty; women’s wing vice-president Arundhathi Shetty; secretary Shalini Shetty; former women’s president Rajani Shetty; youth wing president Harish Shetty Valsad; Sharath Shetty; Shiva Poojary; Ramachandra Suvarna; Divakar Shetty, Silvassa; Prakash Alva, Silvassa; Vapi Kannada Sangha trustee Narayan Shetty; Nagaraj Shetty; P S Karanth; Vapi Kannada Sangha president Lalitha Karanth; Aisiri youth wing members Ashwin Shetty, Prafulla Shetty, Kaustubh Shetty and several other members.
Sharath Shetty welcomed the gathering. Aisiri honorary president Balakrishna Shetty compered the programme along with live commentary. Chetan Gowda proposed the vote of thanks. The tournament concluded with the rendition of the national anthem.