Doha: Kabbadi, a national game of India is gaining popularity in GCC region. This was seen here at the 2nd’Peace Trophy-2015′ kabaddi tournament organized by South Kanara Muslim Welfare Association (SKMWA) where a huge crowd gathered to witness the tournament at the Al Jazeera Academy School playground, Doha here on Friday December 4.
The Tulu Koota Qatar (TKQ-ATS) emerged champions, beating SKMWA in the finals.
The league matches started at 3pm. TKQ-ATS, QISF, KSQ, KMCA, Alliance and the host SKMWA were the teams that participated in the event.
Sports secretary Karim conducted the oath-taking ceremony for the teams. Nasser Ullal, general secretary of SKMWA hosted the session.
SKMWA president Abdul Majeed welcomed the gathering. Chief Guest of the inaugural function Mohammed Habeeb, renowned Kabaddi coach from Dakshina Kannada addressed the gathering and greeted the participating teams.
Tulu Koota president Ravi Shetty, Niyaz Ahmed, president of KMCA, H K Madhu, president of KSQ, Naeer Pasha, president of QISF, Navinith Shetty, president of Bunts Qatar and DivakarPoojary, ICC general secretary were the guests of honour present on the dais. The tournament was inaugurated by symbolically releasing doves.
Matches were played as a league and top two teams from each group qualified for the semi-finals. The semi-finals were played between ATS-Tulu Koota and Alliance, and KSQ and SKMWA.
The most-awaited final was played between ATS-Tulu Koota (ATS-TKQ) and South Kanara Muslim Welfare Association (SKMWA). ATS-TKQ won the title with a margin of 15 points. (42-27). The final matches were played for 15 minutes each with two sessions whereas all other league matches were played for 10 minutes with two sessions each.
SKMWA president Abdul Majeed welcomed the gathering. Chief Guest for the evening’s prize distribution ceremony Seenu S Pilla, vice-president of ICC congratulated the winning teams as well as SKMWA on organizing such a great event to support the Kabaddi players. Guest of honour ATS Group MD Ravi Shetty, Euro Parts proprietor Abdulla Monu, Step By Step Centre For Special Needs Director Nasser Manjeswar, were the guests of honour.
Fair Play Award instituted in loving memory of the late Prakash Chandra Ajila was won by KSQ.
The winner’s trophy was handed over by gold sponsor Ravi Shetty to the winners.
The winning KSQ team comprised Sukesh Kumar (captain), Sandeep Rai, Yathin Kumar Ullal, Zainuddin, Rohit Marla, Shaiesh Shetty, Asik Ibrahim, Nizar, Vikas Rai and Saleem, with team manager Chandrashekar Shetty.
SKMWA runners-up team comprised Adam (captain) Shabir, Musthafa, Rahim, Abubakker, Hanif, Abdul Razak, Ismail Ziyad, Badrudeen and Haneef. The team manager was Mansoor.
The ‘best raider’ of the tournament title went to Sabbir from SKMWA, and the ‘player of the tournament’ award was bagged by Ashiq of Tulu Koota-ATS, while the award for the ‘best catcher’ of the tournament went to Zainuddin of Tulu Koota-ATS.
The talented Naveen Shetty and Toufel kept the audience entertained with their running commentary while the score panel was controlled by Vijay Rai, Sunil Bhandary and Nitesh D. The sound system was provided by Anil Boloor.
The referee panel was led by main referee Mohammed Habeeb, visiting guest from Dakshina Kannada. The first aid medical team was led by RehmanBantwal. Ground supporter/ coordinators were Mansoor and Ramachandra Shetty.
Shoaib Ahmed compered the prize distribution ceremony while prominent member and past president of the Association and sports secretary Abdul Kasim Udupi concluded the event with the vote of thanks.
All Karnataka-based association presidents and executive committee members witnessed the tournament. Hundreds of Kabaddi lovers gathered at the venue to watch their favourite teams in action.
Main sponsor of the event was M-Pallonji Qatar General Manager Chidananda Naik, and gold sponsors were ATS Group MD Ravi Shetty, Euro Parts proprietor Abdulla Monu, Step By Step Centre for Special Needs Director Nasser Manjeswar.
