Poona Hoteliers Association Premier League (PHAPL 7.0) concluded on a high note, marking yet another milestone in the Pune hospitality sector’s sporting legacy. Organised by the Poona Hoteliers Association (PHA), the five-day inter-hotel cricket tournament took place at Azam Campus Grounds and witnessed an overwhelming participation of 42 teams from hotels and hotel management institutes. With 630 players and over 1,000 enthusiastic spectators in attendance, the tournament was a spectacular showcase of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and competitive spirit.
The grand Opening Ceremony on 17th March 2025 was inaugurated by Jimmy Shaw, President, Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI, accompanied by his wife Fida Shaw, alongside Abeda Inamdar, Vice President, Maharashtra Cosmopolitan Education Society, Pune; and Amit Sharma, President, PHA, along with other distinguished members of PHA. The dignitaries encouraged the teams to ‘Play Well, Play Hard but Play Fair’ and symbolically released colourful balloons to declare the tournament open.
“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 industry professionals together in a competitive yet friendly atmosphere. We commend PHA for organising such a fantastic initiative, and I look forward to seeing this tournament reach even greater heights in the coming years,” said Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI.
The grand finale saw Hyatt Regency, Pune, clinch the trophy after a thrilling match against runners-up Novotel, Pune. Royal Orchid, Pune and Courtyard by Marriott, Chakan secured spots in the top four. Individual accolades were dominated by Roop Lal (Hyatt Regency), who claimed the Man of the Match, Orange Cap (Best Batsman) and Player of the Tournament titles. Deepak Dada (Courtyard by Marriott) earned the Purple Cap for Best Bowler.
“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 not only broadcast live on YouTube and mobile platforms but 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,” added Santanu Sarkar.
The tournament’s seamless execution was made possible by the dedicated efforts of Director of the Tournament, Manu, along with umpires, scorers, and ground staff, who ensured smooth operations throughout the event.
“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 Organising 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,” concluded Amit Kumar Sharma.
