JEDDAH — The Saudi chapter of United Thalassery Sports Club (UTSC) is all set to kick off its second sevens football tournament at Bani Malik Sports City Floodlit Stadium near Al-Salam Mall here Thursday.

Hasco, Al-Kabeer Foods and Clear Vision are the main sponsors of the tournament.

The highlight of this second edition is an under-13 tournament, providing a stage for the budding footballers in Jeddah.

Saudi India Football Forum (SIFF) League is in progress in Jeddah where professionals and Under-19 boys are vying for honors. UTSC is giving a chance for non-professional senior footballers and kids.

The teams participating in the U-13 event are JSC, Soccer Freakz, Malarvadi Strikers and Talent Teens.

This four-day tournament will be played on Jan. 11, 12, 25 and 26.

UTSC officials announced the tournament details and guests SIFF ex-president Hifsurahman, Hasco representative Sikandar and SIFF vice president Nissamudheen unveiled the trophies at a brief function held at the Seasons Restaurant in Jeddah Sunday.

After Abdul Khadar welcomed the guests, teams, media and well-wishers, P. R. Saleem explained the rules and regulations of the tournament.

Secretary Ashfaq briefed about UTSC activities and conducted a live draw for the tournament.

Six teams are participating in this weekend affair. The teams have been divided into two pools and after the preliminary league games the top team from each group will meet in the final at 10 p.m. on Jan. 26.

The participating teams are JSC, ITL, EFS, Catalonia FC, Soccer Guys and Pace FC.

After the fixtures were finalized, P.R. Saheer handled the Q and A session with team captains and players.

Chief co-ordinator Shamsheer Olliyat proposed a vote of thanks and Hasher anchored the program.

UTSC, which has expanded its activities to various sports disciplines, has gained a strong footing in Jeddah sports circle within this two-year span.

UTSC was formed at Thalassery in Kerala in 2009 and spread its wings to the Gulf, mainly Oman and UAE and now in Jeddah.

The Jeddah chapter launched its activities by conducting the preliminary selection trials for Under-17 India team last year. After successfully conducting the first sevens football tourney last year UTSC surprised the Jeddah sports fans with an open hockey tournament, the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia. Its Nano Cricket Tournament was a big hit here.

The Gulf Cup Hockey will be held this month in the UAE where 20 teams from GCC, India and Pakistan will be taking part.

Former Kerala state hockey player Shamseer Olliyaat is the chief coordinator of UTSC in Saudi Arabia. — SG