Media Release
Dammam, Apr 16: Mangalore Association Saudi Arabia (MASA) blew the trumpets with another scintillating program, the annual sports day on April 6 for the year 2018. Members of MASA had an energizing experience as they gathered in good numbers to participate in every event for the day. The spirit surrounding the farm house in Dammam 91 area was electrifying, young and old vying with each other to outnumber the other with a never say die attitude. Toddlers to the elders competed with the true spirit of sportsmanship with enthusiasm and vigor.
President Sadashiv Poojary inaugurated the sports day with classic parade by four houses identified by colored ribbons in Blue, Green, Red and Yellow led by Prakash Shetty, Usman Hosangadi, Salem Puttur and Satish Bajal respectively.
MASA general secretary Mohammed Nooman and advisory committee member Ravi Karkera briefed the gathering, sport committee head Peter Arahana explained the rules and regulations of the events to all the participants in the presence of advisory committee members Madhav Amin, Narendra Shetty and the executive committee members Naveen Bhandary, Sathish Bajal, Praveen Peter Aranha, Gopal Shetty, Prakash Shetty, Dayanand Chowta, Usman Hosangadi, Naveen Shetty, Salim Puttur and Puttaraju. Weather Gods also blessed the occasion as the cool breeze enveloped the green turf with serenity. It was indeed an awesome day filled with full of fun, excitement and entertainment, some thrilling events, nail biting finishes for MASA members and guests to reminisce lovely memories for years to come.
Toddlers capped the day with aiming the ball to the bucket, cap race, ball collection. Above the toddlers sub juniors boys and girls between 6 to 10 displayed their talents in 25 mtr race, throwing the throwball, frog race and the kids above 10 to 14 years of age vied with each other for one leg race, long jump, throwing the throwball and 25 mtr race. The intermediate kids above 14 to 18 years of age demonstrated their talents in sack race, shot put, long jump, lemon & spoon race, throwing the throwball.
The seniors above 18 to 50 years of age did not stand far behind as they exhibited their talents and vied with each other for glory. The ladies excelled in lemon and spoon race while the men displayed their talents in shotput and sack race.
Group games for different ages groups was a treat to watch, some tough competition was fully enjoyed by participants and viewers as teams fought tooth and nail to bring honors for their respective houses.
Tug of war for ladies and gents and for children aged above 10 to 18, Dog and bone for toddlers to sub juniors, dodge ball for men/ladies and for children aged above 10 to 18 in separate categories was the highlight of the day.
Eventually the house championship was won by the red house with 56 points green came close second with 52 points and third place was shared by yellow and blue house with 45 points.
Three balanced teams were formed to play a four overs knockout cricket tournament. The crowd witnessed some exciting cricket with fine bowling and dashing batting display. Some superb fielding and stunning catches by the ladies were highly appreciated by the members.
As been the custom MASA honored the visiting parents of members and they were facilitated with bouquets and shawls as a mark of respect.
The sponsors for the event were Artland Transport Company, Intermodal Services of Saudi Arabia, Ravi Karkera, Naveen Bhandary, Ameer Hussain, Arun D’souza, Chandrashekar Karkera, Sunil Puthran, Nesma Group, Khobar Friends, Shaikh Mohideen & Group, Madhav Amin, Dayanand Shriyan, Sanil Brothers & Khobar Seniors Group.
General secretary Mohammed Nooman thanked and appreciated all the sponsors for their generous contribution and great gesture. He appreciated the great efforts put in by the sports committee head Praveen Peter Aranha and his deputy Naveen Shetty, the sports committee members and the registration crew. He also thanked all the other committee members and MASA members for making the Sports Day event a great success and memorable one.
While felicitating, the general secretary thanked Aman Bhaskar and Manisha Priyanka D’Souza of Healthcare Polyclinic Dammam for their great first aid service. Advisory committee member Ravi Karkera paid tribute to some MASA families, who are leaving the kingdom for good.
During closing ceremony Advisory and excom members were present, memorable and entertaining sports day concluded with distribution of medals. First, second and third place winners of individual and group games were invited to the victory stand and awarded bouquets and medals. Winners’ trophy will be presented during the annual day celebration which is scheduled in December 2018.
It was an enjoyable day for the MASA members and family. The event concluded with vote of thanks and the national anthem.