More than 800 mariners, including from Singapore, the United States, India, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Indonesia, and their family members and friends, gathered at the Indian Association and Ceylon Sports Club grounds last weekend to enjoy their favourite sport.

The Mariners' Premier League (MPL), a six-overs-a-side cricket tournament, attracted 27 shipping company teams.

It was the biggest congregation of mariners for a cricket tournament outside India, according to the organisers.

The largest such event for mariners takes place in Mumbai every year.

The 10th edition of the MPL saw eight teams compete for the Lloyds Register Challenge Cup, the Shield and the Plate. Three teams were eliminated during the preliminary round.

Union Marine, Navig8 Ship Management and Meiji Shipping won the Cup, Plate and Shield categories respectively.

The Mariners' Junior Cup, for Under-14 players, was claimed by Global Indian International School, with Mariners Cricket Club (MCC) second.

"MPL is one of the most awaited cricketing events for shipping companies in Singapore," said Anuj Sahai, the chairman of MCC . "It is known for its element of fun and competitiveness. Every year the level of cricket played during this event has seen significant improvement. In recent years more and more overseas players from the branch offices of the shipping companies have been featuring in the tournament."

MCC was formed a decade ago to bring together the marine fraternity. It also organises golf and futsal tournaments annually.

It fields five teams in the national cricket leagues and two in the football leagues.