Odisha Cup 2024 Concludes with a Grand Finale, Celebrating its Historic 11th Edition
By Nalini Sahu
Bhubaneswar, Jan. 24: The Odisha Cup Sports Association of UAE has proudly announced the successful completion of the 11th edition of the prestigious Odisha Cup, the world’s largest indigenous Odisha cricket tournament. The grand event, which took place on January 19, 2025, at the Seven Estates Grounds in Ajman, will be etched in history as a remarkable milestone for the tournament.
This year’s edition saw a record-breaking participation of 18 teams from all emirates, making it the largest since the tournament’s inception in 2014. After months of intense competition, the event culminated in a thrilling final between Kalinga Warriors and SAM-11 Ajman-Odisha.
In a gripping final match, SAM-11 Ajman-Odisha set a challenging target of 153 runs in 20 overs, bolstered by a spectacular 75-run innings off 34 balls by Imran Khan. In response, Kalinga Warriors were bowled out for a mere 87 runs in 17.1 overs, thanks to outstanding bowling performances from Nehal Akhtar, Abdul Ahad, and Imran Khan. Imran Khan was honored with both the Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards for his remarkable contributions with both bat and ball.
The final match was witnessed by an excited crowd, mostly consisting of the Odia community, who brought their families to enjoy the match. Traditional snacks and meals were available at the venue, adding to the cultural experience for players and spectators alike.
The event was graced by the charming Ms. Suryamayee Mohapatra, a renowned Odia actress celebrated for her performances in the Odia film industry. Her presence as the chief guest added glamour to the occasion, and she expressed her excitement to be part of such a significant event held outside India.
Mr. Pabitra Kumar Mazumdar, the Indian Consul (Consular, Labor and Aid) in the UAE, attended as a special guest and commended the participants and organizers, predicting continued growth for the Odisha Cup in the future.
Mr. Sailaj Das, the advisor to the Odisha Cup and Managing Director of Turbo Power Engineering, the title sponsor of the tournament, expressed his appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the players and organizers. He also celebrated the massive turnout and success of the event.
Mr. Priyadarshi Panigarahi, Odisha Cup Advisor and Senior Business Management Expert, called the event the largest gathering of migrant Odias in the Middle East and North Africa, highlighting the cultural significance of the tournament.
Capt. Soumya Patnaik, Odisha Cup Advisor, CEO, and Managing Director of Panbulk Shipping DMCC, extended his congratulations to the entire community and the Odisha Cup Sports Association for their unwavering commitment and success over the years.
A special mention was made of the senior organizers, including Rajat Rath, Sushant Jena, Nirlipta Mohanty, Sambhram Patnaik, and Pradyumna Sahoo, as well as the core team members: Chinmay Kumar Jena, Abnikant Patro, Dev Mishra, Sujit Khatua, Amriten Chatterjee, Syed Afan Mustafa, Syed Taswar Alli, Bikas Agarwal, Ashish Kumar, Jyoti Ranjan Panda, and Imdad Mohammed, who all worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the event’s success.
The Odisha Cup organizers extend their heartfelt thanks to all participants, sponsors, and supporters for making this year’s event a spectacular success in the UAE.
