from Shekar Ajekar
for Daijiworld Media Network - Moodbidri (AF)

Moodbidri, Apr 12: Mooodbidri Eleven cricketers organized an underarm state-level cricket tournament at Swaraj Maidan here recently.

Kannada film actor Yogesh of 'Nanda Nandita' fame who portrayed the memorable character of Loose Mada  in 'Duniya' and director Vijay Kumar were the star attractions of the four-day tourney which was played under floodlights.

Muktananda Swamiji of Shree Kshetra Karinje and Chandrashekhar Swamiji of Shirdi Sai Shantidham Ashram blessed the gathering. As many as 40 teams participated in the tourney.

An award of Rs 1,01,010 and a 5 ft x 4 ft trophy was presented to the winners while the runners up were awarded a cash prize of Rs 50,505 and a 4 ft x 3 ft trophy. They are perhaps two of the biggest trophies ever awarded at a sports tourney in these parts.

Abhayachandra Jain, Amarnath Shetty, K P Jagadish Adhikari, Bhoja Kotian, Jossi Pereira and others were present.

Though Kannada film actor Upendra and cricketer Robin Uthappa were expected to attend the inaugural ceremony, they did not turn up.