Ajman-based Indian business group, Thumbay Group has become the official sponsor of Thumbay Kasargod Leopards, the first franchise owners announced for the much-awaited Kerala Premier League (KPL).
The event due to take off on January 20 with the title clash on February 24, offers total prize money of Dh155,000 — the highest prize money so far in the UAE domestic cricket scene.
The winner will take home Dh60,000 while the runner-up will get Dh30,000. The KPL will be played under the auspices of the Dubai Cricket Council.
Speaking at the launch of Thumbay Kasargod Leopards (KPL) at the Body and Soul Health Club & Spa in Ajman on Thursday night, Akbar Moideen, chairman of Thumbay Kasargod Leopards and director of Thumbay Group’s Healthcare Division, said: “Leopards will be a wholly-owned franchise of the Thumbay Group. The team will be an integrated part of the Thumbay Group Cricket Academy soon.”
After an elaborate hunt to recruit talented cricketing professionals to represent the KPL team, Thumbay Group was able to select cricketing stalwarts who have carved a niche for themselves with their all-around abilities and electrifying performances in International, National, First Class, and regional cricket.
TKL will be managed by board members – patron Thumbay Moideen, Chairman Akbar Moideen, vice chairman Vignesh Unadkat and team manager Fawaz.
The talented KPL team will be led by captain and coach Mohammad Azimooddin Karajagi, who is an ICC Level 1 Coach.
The rest of the team will be represented by vice-captain Santhamoorthy Sengeni, Rohan
Khan, Malik Kamran, Haseeb Tariq, Imran Zafar, Abdul Shakoor Sher Mohammad, Asif Mumtaz, Riaz Khaliq, Zuhaib Ullah Khan, Mohammad Aslam Ghouse, Umer Khalid, Amjad Khan Gul, Shadab Khan, Shad Hamza, Abdul Jaleel, Ibrahim Malik, Zahab Ali, Imran Khan, Bilal Saleem..
TKL will be the franchise providing a platform for budding youngsters of universities, schools, local clubs and first-class cricketers to be a part of the international cricketing circuit and thus contribute to Thumbay Group‘s social corporate responsibility in the Northern Emirates.
“Thumbay Group is planning to expand its leisure and healthcare company, Body and Soul Health Club and Spa will be expanded to many other emirates and international locations. As per the expansion plan it will open up five more Health Clubs in UAE and several in the GCC Countries and international locations,” he added.
Business development manager of the hospitality division Farhad C announced the establishment of Body and Soul Cricket Academy which will be a premier training academy for scouting and training of young talents in the field of cricket.
