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Gulf Gate Cricketers: The next big thing

A story of humble beginnings and the passion which drove a team to success

Edappal, a small town in Malappuram district, has its own cricket history. High-school grounds and vast paddy fields woke up with howzzat screams and holidays were celebrated with gusto. Eventually, the sporting spirit gradually diminished.
Cricket lost its charm for a while. We had to revive it. So, I thought of yesteryear players to give it a facelift. Shaji and Naushad took the initiative to start the mission, with the guidance and support of former players.
Cricket blossomed at the Edappal highschool ground, with the participation of former players. What started off as a simple entertainment on Sundays transformed into a mission, and cricket has become a passion for members, which led to the formation of The Harmony Cricket Club. Since then, the club has been participating in various tournaments and played in district league competitions.
However, there was more potential for our little sports venture. As overseas members and players put their heads together, everyone thought, "Why not a cricket group in the desert?" Discussions were on, and finally, former players in and around Edappal formed a cricket club in the UAE to revive the good old days under the auspicious sponsorship of Zakir Hussain, Managing Director, Gulf Gate Hair Fixing, along with the able guidance of Nahas, Roasters, Siraj and Metro Manila.
The efforts paid off well. Players from all over the Emirates reached the venue on time for the competitions and had the opportunity of participating in big tournaments conducted at the Alliance Cricket Grounds in Ajman, from which Ajmal Najeeb and Basheer offered all their support and encouragement.
Over the last two years, it gives great pleasure for Gulf Gate cricketing team to say that we have won seven trophies and three runner-up trophies under the captaincy of Rachin Style, who managed the team very well, both on and off the field. That's the result of our team spirit and our unity, one for all and all for one camaraderie. 
With the team's current progress, it is safe to say that Gulf Gate cricketers are to reach great heights and establish a name to reckon with in the cricketing circle of the Emirates. Additionally, Gulf Gate is blessed with a terminator, Kochu Vijesh, a professional cricketer and playing for ANIB, who is always a nightmare to the rival team and a man with many trophies in his bounty that the shelf at his home needs another room to support them all.
I hope that our success with Afzal, Rachin Style, Shameem and our Abu Dhabi stalwarts reaching Ajman wouldn't appear boastful of us, but rather, have it seen by others as the result of their devotion and genuine passion for the game. As for the rest of the team, we have level-headed officials, but our players, especially our big hitter, the double Pathan (Afzal), are not at all level headed on the playground.
Mohammed Niyas, a jewel in the crown, is our man in need - a proficient all-rounder who can change the mood of a game by his sheer turning points. The same goes for our other great all-rounder and a true match winner, Akshy Jotin, an ex-under 19 from Kerala. We are all blessed and proud of them in every way possible. Now let's go for another win, another trophy!