Warm reception to the First OPL cup winner in Sambalpur

first OPL cup

The players and officials of the first OPL champion, western Samurai were given warm reception in Sambalpur after their return to the town. They first went to the temple of Maa Samaleswari to get her blessing. “We became successful because of the mercy of Maa Samaleswari, so we came to the temple”, the franchise owner of the team Sudhansu Jena said.

The first match that was played against Puri was crucial for us and after wining the match at the home ground VSS Stadium, Sambalpur our players became so motivated that they played well in every matches and finally we won the title” caption of the Western Samurai Rourkela team Natraj Behera said. 

The district Athletic Association of Sambalpur organized a programme in the afternoon at VSS stadium to felicitate the players and coach of the team for their achievement. “They made us proud. They started the match here and now they returned their home ground to share their happiness”, DAA vice-president Sabbir Hussein said.

players at  Samaleswari temple

Later in the evening while talking to the press, franchise owner Jena disclosed that the team has decided to make VSS stadium to be their permanent home ground to continue the coaches to their players for further matches. He also informed to release an audio album of the team brand ambassador Jitendra Haripal to revive his past glory. Haripal, a famous singer of Sambalpuri songs of the 90s discontinued his singing because of his personal problem.

While answering a question, Jena informed that Western Samurai will continue promoting cricket talents of the region by providing various training and coaching. “The winning of the first OPL was a challenge for every one of us and we did it. So now we do not have anything in my mind for any shortfall taken place during the progress of OPL matches”, Jena said. He appreciated the efforts of caption Natraj Behera, chief coach Abakash Khatua and batting coach Ashok Singh which makes the team winner.      

players of Samurai with cup

It may be informed that Western Samurai Rourkela was the only team from western Orissa that played in the OPL league T20 conducted under Orissa Cricket association. There were total 10 teams with as many as 140 players selected for the tournament played in 5 various grounds which include Bhubneswar, Cuttack, Paradeep, Sambalpur and Angul.  There were as many as 44 matches played in difference places in flood lights. The tournament started on 22^nd May and concluded on 12^th June. In the final played at Barabati stadium of Cuttack, Western Samurai became the winner of the first OPL -cup beating the Cuttack tigers with just 4 runs. Western Samurai managed to score only 112/5 in stipulated 2o over, but Cuttack Tigers could score only 108 in stipulated 20 over after losing 5 wickets.