Doha: MCC Qatar team reigned as champions of the 14th Annual MCC Ladies Throw ball Tournament, organized by Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC), Qatar in a well fought and thrilling series of final matches held at the old Ideal Indian School grounds on Friday, November 13.
Sports lovers in Qatar witnessed an exciting two days of the 14th Annual MCC Ladies Open Throwball Tournament held by Mangalore Cricket club (MCC) on November 12 and 13, 2015 at the old Ideal Indian School Grounds. The six participating teams were Al Khor Community led by Kannika Shetty, Al Maha Club led by Flavia Fernandes, Konkan Stars led by Susan Rodrigues, Karnataka Sangha Qatar led by Shailaja Ranjith, Tulu Koota Qatar led by Vijaya Shetty and the host MCC team led by Indira Kunder.
The annual tournament, one of the most popular events among the Mangalurean community in Qatar was inaugurated on Thursday, November 12 evening with a welcome address from MCC president Norbert Corda to the gathering following which he officially declared the event open.
Sports secretary Alexis Castelino then conducted the Oath-taking ceremony which was followed by the league matches.
In the leagues matches played on Nov 12, in Group A MCC defeated Al Maha Club and Al Khor Community teams to reach the semifinals, while in Group B Tulu Koota defeated Konkan Stars and Karnataka Sangha to enter the semis. Konkan Stars team played a nail biting match with Karnataka Sangha where each team won a set each and then Konkan Stars grabbed the third set to their credit to enter the semifinals.
MCC Qatar beat Konkan Star and Tulukoota Qatar beat Alkhor team to enter into the finals.
After the semifinals, a formal function was held where MCC President Norbert Corda, Vice President Prakash Noronha and Sports secretary Alexis Castelino escorted the Chief guest Jotshna Dey, President of Indian Women’s Association, Guest of Honour Arvind Patil , President of Indian Community Benevolent Fund, Main sponsor Alfred and Rita Sequiera of Gulf International Enterprises, Prestige Sponsors Franky Quadros, Proprietor of Al Amer Garage and Transport, Henry D’Souza, Finance Executive of Al Balagh Contracting, Co-Sponsor and Alan Currie, Finance Manager of Qatar Kentz to the stage.
Arvind Patil addressed the gathering and appreciated MCC for conducting this ladies only event among the Karnataka clubs in Qatar, bringing all Kannadigas together and spreading peace and harmony.
Chief Guest Jotshna Dey in her address thanked MCC for conducting this tournament for the past 14 years and congratulated all the teams for their participation in this sports event and wished the best for the finalist teams.
Various Karnataka based club Presidents namely Tulu Koota Qatar, Karnataka Sangha Qatar, Karnataka Muslim Welfare Association, South Kanara Muslim Welfare Association, Bunts Qatar and ICC Secretary who attended the event were greeted with flower bouquets by MCC Executive Committee members. Niyaz Ahmed, President of KMCA was recognized for his exceptional support to the club in helping to secure the ground and support facilities. Cultural secretary Riana Pinto compered the formal function and MCC sports secretary Alexis Castelino proposed the vote of thanks.
Final Match Results:
A procession was held with the participating teams and balloons were released as a sign of peace and harmony. Guest Jotshna Dey and Main Sponsor Rita Sequeira tossed the ball to the captains declaring the final match open.
MCC Qatar beat the Tulu Koota in a close finish final match with the score on 27/25 and 25/14. The nail biting finals first set will not be easily forgotten by Tulu Koota team as they were close to winning the 1st set with a score on 24/24 and then could not recover in the 2nd set.
After the thrilling finals, the prize distribution ceremony was presided over by main sponsor Alfred and Rita Sequeira, Prestige Sponsor Franky Quadros, President Norbert Corda and Vice President Prakash Noronha. Franky Quadros presented Best smasher award to Indira Kunder of MCC Team, Best Player award to Angela Dias of MCC Team, Best Catcher award to Vijaya Shetty of Tulu Koota team and Late Prakash Ajila Memorial Best Fair play team was awarded to Al Khor Community Team.
TKQ team was led by captain Vijaya Shetty, Shobha Shetty, Vani Rao, Lily D’Souza, Akshaya Shetty, Akhila Rao, Padmashree Shetty, Bharathi Shetty, VandanaHegde, Praveena Shetty, Reshma Rao, Soumini, MalathiPuthran, Jyothi Shetty, Maina Shetty and team Manager Veena Rao. .
MCC ladies team was led by captain Indira Kunder, Angela Dias, SunithaTellis, Evette Quadros, Mabel Almeida, Winnie Saldanha, AartiFernandes, Premila D’Souza, Prameela Vas, Maria D’Souza, Treesa Goveas, Sunita D’Souza, Siji Sunny and Violet Veigas as team manager.
Meanwhile Tulu Koota Qatar continued its environment awareness campaign by cleaning waste that was strewn on the grounds.
Match referee Lynel Jaison Lobo was honored with a memento for officiating all matches of the tournament. The sports officials were John Britto, Vincent Castelino, Cyril D’Souza, Ryan Renjar, Arun D’Souza and Vijay D’Souza. The commentator’s desk was managed by Mishal Lovely Lobo and Clara Castelino while the scoreboard was managed by Vanessa Saldanha, Divya Noronha and Suraj and Veena Noronha.
Special attraction of the evening were the cheer girls Delvia Lobo, Viola Monteiro, Delicia Serrao, Deann Menezes and Swen D’Souza who cheered the teams and the crowd with their beautiful dances to some good numbers choreographed by Melicia Menezes.
MCC thanked its main sponsor Alfred and Rita Sequeira, Gulf International Enterprises for its continued patronage for 14 years, Prestige Sponsors Space Trading, Al Amer Garage and Transport, Al Balagh Contracting, co-sponsors Qatar Kentz, Radisson Blu Hotel, Integral Food Services and support sponsors Euro Spare Parts, Golden Trading and Decoration, Wings International Trading and Contracting, Canara Jewellers, Akshaya Jewellers, Intermodal Services and Integral Uniforms.
