A team of Sri Lankan expatriates defeated hosts Qatar in the final to win the Eid cricket tournament held at the Asian Town stadium on the second day of the Eid al-Fitr celebrations.
In the semifinals, Qatar defeated India while Sri Lanka got the better of defending champions Pakistan.
Thousands of expatriates joined the celebrations organised by the Ministry of Interior (MoI) at Asian Town in the Industrial Area and Barwa Workers’ Recreation Complex in Al Khor, according to a statement from the MoI.
The celebrations were held over the first two days of Eid al-Fitr.
The events at Barwa Workers’ Recreation Complex in the Al Khor Industrial Area included performances by artistes from India, Nepal and Bangladesh. The Popins and Sariga orchestras also entertained the gathering.
The MoI conducted a number of safety, security and traffic awareness programmes along with the celebrations. Films were screened to educate the public on traffic and pedestrian rules, fire safety and cultural traditions of the country.
The closing ceremony of the celebrations in Al Khor was attended by Col Abdullah Khalifa al-Muftah, director of the MoI public relations department, and Lt Col Ahmad Zayed al-Mohannadi, director of the Community Police Department.
The Barwa Workers’ Recreation Complex also played host to the Ramadan Sports Tournament for teams from companies. The final matches were held on the Eid days. Col al-Muftah and Lt Col al-Mohannadi gave away awards to the winning teams.
More than 2,000 gifts were distributed by the ministry among the audience through a raffle draw.
Meanwhile, teams from Qatar, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal participated in the six-nation cricket tournament.
The closing ceremony was attended by Col al-Muftah and Ibin Ajayan Group chairman Mohamed bin Mahdi bin Ajayan al-Ahbabi, among others.
The Ramadan Sports Tournament was held at the Al Khor Barwa complex and Ras Laffan, featuring teams from companies.
Nearly 60 teams participated in a host of competitions as part of the tournament. There were 24 teams for cricket, 16 for football, 14 for basketball and four for tug-of-war.
In the cricket final, City Engineering Company defeated CCC Simaisma. In football, Med Gulf won against Carillion Qatar, while CCC Barzan Star Company defeated QS Tech in basketball. N-Kom Tiger won the tug-of-war title, defeating City Engineering.
At the closing ceremony, Col al-Muftah said this was the third annual event that the MoI had organised for expatriate communities to mark Eid.
Col al-Muftah handing over the trophy to winners as al-Ahbabi and others look on.
