Embassy of India
Muscat
PRESS RELEASE
‘Friendship Cup Cricket Tournament 2022’ organized by Embassy wins hearts
As part of celebrations for 75 glorious years of India’s independence, under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Embassy of India, Muscat organized, in association with Oman Cricket Association (OCA), a ‘Friendship Cup Cricket Tournament 2022’ in the city.
2. This first ever and unique cricket initiative in Oman saw the active participation of four teams from the Embassies of India, United States and United Kingdom as well as a team representing the Oman Cricket Association (OCA).
3. The tournament was inaugurated on 22 April 2022 by Ambassadors of India USA, UK and Vice Chairman of OCA. It was played in a league format with the two teams with maximum points reaching the final.
3. While OCA won all its league matches to book a seat in the final, the Ambassador’s XI of Indian Embassy beat US and UK teams comfortably. UK Ambassador’s XI lost all its matches, while US team could win one league game.
4. The final was played on Apr 30 at the OCA Cricket ground (arena for T-20 World Cup playoffs late last year) and witnessed a tight and exciting encounter between Ambassador’s XI of Embassy of India and Chairman’s XI of OCA. Embassy team, led by Ambassador Amit Narang, posted a fighting total of 103 in 15 overs. Even though the OCA team featured some former players of the Oman National Cricket team, their chase was anything but easy. Embassy team gave the Oman team a tough fight leading to a nail-biting finish in the last over. Oman’s Chairman XI managed to win the match off the last ball of the match, thus taking the inaugural ‘Friendship Cup’ home.
5. This unique tournament saw riveting cricketing action, with amateur diplomat-cricketers from all 3 Embassies showcasing impressive skills with both the ball and the bat. More importantly, it was a beautiful show of sportsmanship and camaraderie and also gave the families from respective countries a chance to come together and enjoy the sporting entertainment.
6. The tournament not only helped in strengthening bonds of friendship but also generated interest in cricket among Omani’ citizens and expatriates. The tournament was well covered in the local media and also generated strong interest in diplomatic community. It is expected that the ‘Friendship Cup’ will become a permanent fixture in Oman and will be organized at an even larger scale next year.
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Muscat, 1 May 2022
