Odisha Cup, the world’s largest Prabasi (Non-Resident) Odia cricket tournament kicked off in the United Arab Emirates on November 12. The eighth edition of the tournament will run till January.
This year a record number of 11 teams are participating in this mega cricket carnival. All the team members are Odias who are residing in the different Emirates of UAE. Last year the tournament did not happen because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
This year’s edition began with a match between Odia Gladiators, Dubai and OSA Seniors, Abu Dhabi at the Australian International School cricket ground in Sharjah in presence of a huge audience, advisors and other senior members such as Rajat Rath and Susant Jena.
Another senior member of the organizing committee Nirlipta Mohanty joined the match through video conferencing from India. Rajat Rath, Susant Jena and Nirlipta have been associated with the tournament since its inception and have been part of all the editions of the tournament.
The match was won by Odia Gladiators, Dubai.
Kishor Dash, Senior Finance Professional with a vast experience in the region and.
Priyadarshee Panigrahi, Senior Business Management Professional and an advisor of the Odisha Cup joined as guests. The name of the participating teams this year are Fujairah Odia Association, Jagannath Seva Sangha, Son of Kalinga Bira, Kalinga Warriors, Odisha Blasters, Odisha Cricket Club, Odisha Samaja Abu Dhabi, Star XI Odisha, Utkal Challengers, Utkal Patriots, Utkal Rising Starts.