The Poona Hoteliers Association Premier League (PHAPL 7.0) concluded on 21st March 2025, marking another milestone in Pune’s hospitality sector. Organized by the Poona Hoteliers Association (PHA), the five-day inter-hotel cricket tournament took place at Azam Campus Grounds, featuring 42 teams from hotels and hotel management institutes. With 630 players and over 1,000 spectators, the event highlighted sportsmanship, teamwork, and competition.
A grand opening ceremony
The Opening Ceremony on 17th March 2025 was inaugurated by Jimmy Shaw, President of the Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI, along with Abeda Inamdar, Vice President of Maharashtra Cosmopolitan Education Society, Pune, and Amit Sharma, President of PHA, accompanied by other distinguished PHA members. The dignitaries encouraged teams to “Play Well, Play Hard, but Play Fair” and marked the tournament’s opening with a symbolic balloon release.
A special edition of PHAPL
“The 7th edition of PHAPL is truly special as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Poona Hoteliers Association and the 75th year of HRAWI. This tournament is not just about cricket; it embodies the spirit of unity, teamwork, and enthusiasm that defines the hospitality industry. The event has grown tremendously over the years, bringing hospitality professionals together in a competitive yet friendly atmosphere. We commend PHA for organizing such a fantastic initiative, and I look forward to seeing this tournament reach even greater heights in the coming years,”
— Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI
A thrilling finale and top performers
The grand finale saw Hyatt Regency, Pune, emerge as the champion after a competitive match against runners-up Novotel, Pune. Royal Orchid, Pune, and Courtyard by Marriott, Chakan, secured spots in the top four.
In the individual awards, Roop Lal (Hyatt Regency) won Man of the Match, Orange Cap (Best Batsman), and Player of the Tournament. Deepak Dada (Courtyard by Marriott) earned the Purple Cap for Best Bowler.
Expanding reach with live streaming
“PHAPL 7.0 reached new heights with live streaming of all 57 matches across two grounds, making it accessible to a much wider audience. The matches were broadcast live on YouTube and mobile platforms and were also showcased in hotel staff cafeterias and restaurants, allowing colleagues and families to experience the action. This initiative elevated viewership from 1,000 on-field spectators to over 6,000 virtual viewers, adding to the tournament’s growing appeal.”
— Santanu Sarkar
Behind the scenes: Organizing a seamless event
The tournament’s seamless execution was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the Director of the Tournament, Manu, along with umpires, scorers, and ground staff, who ensured smooth operations throughout the event.
Looking ahead to PHAPL 8.0
“After six successful editions, PHAPL 7.0 has firmly established itself as one of India’s largest inter-hotel cricket tournaments. The planning and execution of this year’s event were credited to the PHAPL 7.0 Organizing Committee, led by Amit Sharma, Santanu Sarkar, Sharan Shetty, Abhishek Sahai, Prapti Deshpande, Sumit Sharma, Vikram Raj Shetty, Bhushan Kumud, Pankaj Saxena, and Sanjay Singh. With the PHA Executive Committee already gearing up for PHAPL 8.0, next year’s tournament promises to be even bigger, more creative, and more exciting, further cementing its status as the most sought-after sporting event in the Indian hospitality industry.” – Amit Kumar Sharma
