MPL 4.0 to get underway at Ambedkar Stadium from March 20

MANGALURU: Mangalore Premier League 4.0 is all set to get underway at BR Ambedkar Stadium, Panambur from March 20. Jointly organized by Brand Vision Events, Mangalore Occasionals and Sea Bird Cricket Academy with approval and guidance of Karnataka State Cricket Association, the event will see former Indian cricketer BK Venkatesh Prasad kick start proceedings in the 13-day-long tournament that will culminate with the final on April 1.
A colourful opening ceremony that will be held at 5.30pm will also see former India cricketers Raghuram Bhat, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth join Venky in inaugurating the event. Roshan de Silva and Milinda Siriwardana, international cricket players from Sri Lanka will also be part of the inaugural ceremony as intercontinental guests. Organisers have also roped in Dev Whatmore, former Australian cricketer and coach who will join the MPL cricket fest later.
Incidentally, cricketing end of the tournament will get underway with the first match of between Costal Digest and Bedra Bulls, MPL champions of previous two years at 9am. Second match will be held at 2pm between Classic Bantwal and United Ullal. After the opening ceremony. Karkala Gladiators and Team Elegant will be playing the third and first of MPL 4.0 under floodlit. The tournament is being played on league cum knock out basis with six teams in two pools.
In a related development, the organisers on Sunday also unveiled the trophy, released jersey and launched the 12 participating teams at a gala function. Yashpal A Suvarna, president, South Kanara and Udupi District Co-operative Fish Marketing Federation unveiled the trophy and conveyed his best wishes for success of the tournament. Three matches will be played each day from March 20 to 29. Qualifier I and II will be played on March 30 and the semi-finals on March 31.