News: Vijai D’Cunha (G-kere)
Pics: Joachim D’Souza
Muscat, Oct 19: The Mangalorean Konkani Wing (MKW) of Indian Social Club, Muscat, organized a mega league ‘Tennex Ball Cricket Tournament-2023’ on October 13, at the lush green lawns of Oman Cricket’s International Cricket Ground, Amrat, exclusively for the Konkani speaking community members of Oman. Six teams with players of extraordinary mastery in cricket showcased their mighty skills in batting, bowling and fielding. Huge spectators and team supporters gathered in the massive stadium, which is equipped with high beam floodlight and a large score display screen. Spectators had captured the best view from the high mount gallery in 3 levels, and enjoyed the state-of-the-art international cricket viewing experience.
The programme commenced late in the day compered by Peter Fernandes and Praveen Serra – a unique combination which people admire and love to see them leading every popular event in Oman. Ajith Walder - convener, welcomed the gathering and unveiled the amazing trophies of the tournament. He expressed great pride in launching this innovative concept of cricket being showcased for the first time within the community matches, which is under a sophisticated environment with international match refrees and score analyzers and live score updates through Oman Cricket App. He also wished a cheerful day and success to all the enthusiastic players. While keeping MKW’s core objective and tradition of simplicity and community welfare, Flossy D’Souza – an elderly guest among the gathering invited to inaugurate the event, and who then batted few balls at the cricket pitch as a symbolic gesture to declare the match open.
The ‘Tennex Ball Tournament-2023’ has been uniquely planned by the MKW’s executive committee 2023-25, with a fabulous logo and banner created by Vijai D’Cunha inspiring sportsman spirit among the cricket lovers. Ajith D’Costa (Sports Secretary), who is a well-known sports personality in the Mangalurean community in Muscat, was the man behind introducing a new concept in this year’s annual cricket, which indeed encouraged huge participation and had witnessed a great success and received full of praise from the community.
The cricket teams were previously invited to register, which was overwhelmingly responded within 24 hours of the announcement with 6 mighty teams on board. All the registered teams who were present at the venue, then placed in 2 groups to take the league matches against each other. At the beginning of the match Praveen Serra explained the rules to all the players.
Peter Fernandes introduced Samir Sattar, Freddie Lonappan and Kapil V as official match umpires who were well experienced and have International Cricket exposure. Sudhik P took charge as official scorer and Naveen Kumar as coordinator. Rinet Menezes handled the medical necessities at the sports venue. The main game then progressed with the umpires in command at the ground. The matches were restricted for 5 overs except for the finals it was 6 overs. Some strong batting lined-up were displayed by all the 6 teams with their fabulous batting, fielding and good pace bowling.
Vijai D’Cunha conducted time bound online quiz about cricket through the specially created quiz app with 10 MCQs each at 2 sessions, which kept the spectators engaged at the break time. Aman D’Costa and Neilet Fernandes won the quiz with 9 points out of 10 respectively. Peter Fernandes conducted amply fun filled interesting spot games, which were won by Cyril Britto, Tristan D’Cunha and Ashwini respectively. Loveline Rego – a well-known DJ provided the music to keep the athletes and the spectators cheerful throughout. Praveen Serra with apt Kannada mastery in commentary, Peter Fernandes in Konkani and Larry Rego in English, kept the crowd entertained with their lively commentary all through-out the match. Joachim D’Souza captured the exiting moments of the event in his camera. Naveen Kumar provided the seamless sound system.
The match was a tough battle between 6 strong teams under 2 groups, who played in the below order:
Venture Warriors V/s Royal Strikers, match won by the latter
Dudes XI V/s United Coastal, match won by latter
Royal Strikers V/s Seasons, match won by the former
United Coastal V/s MCCS Warriors, match won by latter
Venture Warriors V/s Seasons, match won by former
Dudes XI V/s MCCS Warriors, match won by latter
In the group stage matches ‘Royal Strikers’ from group ‘A’ and ‘MCCS Warriors’ from group ‘B’ qualified for the finals. MCCS Warriors succeeded to become champions in 1st maiden tournament and Royal Strikers secured runners-up position. Shibin Kalapureckel from ‘MCCS Warriors’ was declared as ‘Player of the Tournament’.
At the conclusion of the programme, trophies were hand down to the champion of the tournament, runner-up team, and the player of the tournament as well. A heartfelt expression of gratitude was extended through felicitation to the umpires, scorer, medical aid and all other support personnel. This was followed by Vote of thanks by Loveline Rego – co-convener, who gave due credit to all those who made this event a success, particularly to Ajith D’Costa who tirelessly worked for the success of the event.
The teams participated in the tournament were as below:
The championship team ‘MCCS Warriors’ led by captain Wilson Mark D’Souza, vice-captain Rakesh Fernandes, wicket-keeper Rayan Veigas, and other team members; Prajwal D’Souza, Avin Roshan D’Souza, Preetham Saldhana, Ronan Goveas, Roshan Mendonca, Shibin Kalapureckel, Neshwil Pinto, Sudheer Rodrigues, Clement D’Cunha, and Vincent D’Souza.
The runner-up team ‘Royal Strikers’ led by captain Hancy, vice-captain Clinton, and other team members: Glenson, Nelson, Agnel, Denzil, Rajesh, Kishor, Daryl, Rakesh, Rohan and Larry Rego.
‘Venture Warriors’ led by captain Suneel Menezes, Manoj Chethan D’Souza, wicket-keeper Avith Royan Castelino, Deril D’Souza, Melwin D’Souza, Jostin Francis Crasta, Allen Joel Danthi, Dhilan Kirthy Vaz, Ajay D’Souza, Shailesh Melric D’Silva, Mithesh Steevan D’Souza, and Rahul Avil Rodrigues.
‘Seasons’ led by captain Levin, vice-captain Roshan, Pradeep, Sunny, Loyson, Dippal, Kistu, Praveen, Nithesh, Rovil, Jason, and Naveen.
‘Dudes XI’ led by captain Norman Joel Corda, Alvitin Prasanha, Vishal D’Souza, Stany Mendonca, Valerian Sharan Menezes, Alistar Pinto, Hevin Joel D’Souza, Joy Herman, Rilson Cardoza, Shawn Alva, Sunil Prakash D’Almeida, Ashok Mathias and Ajith D’Costa.
‘United Coastal’ led by captain Rajkiran D’Souza, Sujith Monis, Sujan Monis, Akshay Baretta Rozario, Noel Machado, Savio Sequeira, Rohith D’Souza, Kiran Veigas, Wilroy, Joystan Lobo, Joseph Mary D’Souza, Naveen Rony D’Costa, Reevan D’Cunha, Prakash D’Souza, and Roshan D’Souza.
The event was organised with great professionalism by all the team members of the executive committee of Mangalorean Konkani Wing of the Indian Social Club, Muscat, with Ajith Walder as its convener, Loveline Rego: co-convener, Vijai D’Cunha: honorary treasurer, Ajith D’Costa: sports secretary, Adolf D’Souza: joint treasurer, Lancy Lobo: cultural secretary, Peter Fernandes: entertainment secretary, Silvia Dias: lady coordinator, Olivia Saldanha: children’s wing secretary.
The sponsors for the event were Technofit Trading LLC - Ligory D’Mello and Margret D’Mello, Gautam General Trading – Ahmed, Aisha Beauty Parlour – Gretta Fernandes and Sunil Fernandes, Zahrat Al Rawdha Trading. Oman Cricket Ground staffs and Anoop Cholath Candy were thanked. The mMedia and backdrop designing was handled by Vijai D’Cunha, and tea-coffee were sponsored by South Express Restaurant.
It was a wonderful opportunity for the players to test their mettle against formidable opponents and gain valuable experience. The six teams with their amazing players exhibited their extra ordinary talents, and it was a great entertainment for the crowd gathered.
MKW successfully demonstrated its ability to create memorable and inclusive sporting event, which marked their second biggest event of the year with huge participation and engaging experience.