Rekha Suvarna
Kuwait, Mar 8: Mogaveers Association Kuwait (MAK), the community welfare association of non-resident Mogaveers, based here, organized its first indoor, national level volleyball and throwball tournament under the title 'MAK Champion Trophy 2017' on February 25. The tournament was held at the indoor volleyball ground of American International School (AIS) at Maidan Hawally.
MAK Champion Trophy 2017, volleyball and throwball tournament was the first event organized by the association after its commencement in September 2016. A total of fourteen volleyball teams and nine throwball teams participated and fought for the coveted trophy and cash rewards. The day long tournament commenced at 7.30 am with a grand opening ceremony followed by the National Anthem. The host for the event Penny Rebello began the event with a welcome note in the presence of all the distinguished guests, participating teams, the refrees, representatives/members from various associations, committee members and initiated the proceedings of the tournament.
The guests wished the participating teams and the organizers good luck. The spectators and supporters of the participating teams cheered the opening ceremony. It was a day filled with enthusiasm, fun and frolic for all. Ramesh Kidiyoor, president of MAK, in his speech expressed his best wishes to the teams and declared the tournament open. Along with the guests Hasan Yusuf, former president of Karnataka Muslim Welfare Association, Dilip Nair, general secretary – Indian Volleyball Association Kuwait and Jimmy George Foundation and Satishchandra Shetty – owner Oriental International General Trading & Contracting Co, Lawrence Saldanha – partner and general manager – Arabian Darb Company (Sultan Group), president Ramesh Kidiyoor inaugurated the event by cutting the ribbon and releasing the ball.
At the beginning of the inaugural ceremony all the distinguished guests along with Premkumar, principal – Bharatiya Vidya, Bhavan, Srinath M R, president – Engineering Association Kuwait, Jeetendra Ariga, president – Indian Dental Alliance Kuwait, Wilson D’Souza, president – Tulukoota Kuwait, Yedunath Alva, president – Buntara Sangha Kuwait, Raghu Poojari, president – Billava Sangha Kuwait, Sudhakar Shetty, Elias Sanctis, prominent NRIs and all the referees, Suresh, Alex, Ajith Kumar and Penny Rebello were presented with a floral bouquet as a mark of respect. The participating volleyball teams were Al Ghanim, Bunts Smashers, Kerala Sports Club, Kunjal Friends, Dhoom Fighters, Pro-Sports Strikers, Prosports United, Prosports, Tamil Volley, Strikers Kuwait, Riggae Volley, Al Sayer, Abu Halifa Strikers & Indian Dentist Alliance Kuwait.
The participating throwball teams were AECK, Dragon Queens, Purple Mischief, Red Hawks, Kuwait Konkans, Dhoom Fighters, Prosports, Strikers-Salmiya Friends and Starz. The first round of volleyball match shot off between team Kunjal Friend and team Tamil Volley and the first round of throwball matches was between team Strikers (Salmiya Friends) and team AECK. The teams played with full enthusiasm and the viewers enjoyed and experienced the spectacular show. As the day progressed, the matches kept rolling by one after the other.
Winners:
The volleyball tournament ended with a finale of final matches between team Kunjal Friends and team Abu Halifa Strikers. After a tough battle between the two strong teams, team Kunjal Friends finally bagged the winner’s trophy and team Abu Halifa Strikers were declared first runners up. The second runner up trophy was won by Al Ghanim team. Best all rounder: Mohammed Rizwan (Kunjal Friends), best setter: Samad Khan (Kunjal Friends), best attacker: Achut Sresta (Al Ghanim), best promising player: Harish (Abu Halifa Strikers).
The throwball tournament ended with a finale of final matches between team Dragon Queens and team Starz. Both the teams were equally strong and after a tough fight, team Dragon Queens finally took away the winner’s trophy and team Starz was declared the first runners up. Team Kuwait Konkans took the second runners up position. Best all rounder trophy was given to Joyce from team Dragon Queens. The tournament ended up with the prize distribution ceremony and concluded with photography sessions of the winners and the committee members.
Mogaveers Association Kuwait thanked all their well-wishers, supporters, volunteers, members, participating teams, coaches, team managers for the successful finale of MAK Champion Trophy 2017. MAK also thanked Anand for sound / music, Gokul Bhat for providing transportation and photographers, Prashanth Periera, Praveen, Deon Machado and Jaison. Last of all American International School was specially thanked for providing the venue for the tournament.