Abu Dhabi: Mangalore Konkans Women, India Men Win KSSM Throwball Tourney
by Noel and Bellevision
Abu Dhabi, Jan 22: Mangalore Konkans Ladies team from Dubai lifted the Koosamma Shambu Shetty Memorial (KSSM) Trophy in style, beating their arch rivals Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha in a marathon final match held at Abu Dhabi Indian School Ground.
In another nail-beating sensational final, India Men (who travelled all the way from India) beat a spirited Konkans Dubai team to win the men's Throwball tourney.
Koosamma Shambu Shetty Memorial Throw Ball Tournament is held every year in memory of late Koosamma Shambu Shetty, mother of Dr B R Shetty, patron UAE Kannadigas in Gulf. In all, nine ladies throw ball teams and eight gents throw ball teams from the UAE, Bahrain and India participated.
The KSSM 2012 tournament was conducted in association with Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha under the able leadership of Sarvotham Shetty (president), in the presence of a large gathering of spectators and participants.
The tournament was inaugurated at around 8:30 am by Seema Shetty, daughter of Dr B R Shetty, by releasing colourful balloons along with team leaders. The morning session began with Seema Shetty and Sudheer Kumar Shetty officially inaugurating the league matches.
Seema Shetty was the chief guest for the inaugural ceremony. Sudhir Shetty, Leo Rodrigues, Joseph Mathias, Michael Rodrigues, Walter Nandalike, principal and senior principals of Indian High School Abu Dhabi and others were the guests of honour.
On completion of league matches, Mangalore Konkans, Bunts Dubai, Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha and Canarites Dubai ladies teams reached semi-finals. In the men's category, India Men, Konkans Dubai, Bunts Dubai and Mangalore Konkans reached the semi-finals.
After a long and exciting battle between these teams Mangalore Konkans and Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha managed to get through to the finals among ladies, and among men, India Men and Konkans Dubai reached the finals.
The finals of ladies match between arch rivals Mangalore Konkans and Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha was perhaps the longest among all the tournaments held in the region. It was a matter of prestige for both the teams to reclaim the trophy. Both teams played their hearts out, in a keenly-fought thrilling match which was watched by supporters of both teams and the other participating teams. Finally, Mangalore Konkans managed triumph over from Karnataka Sangha with the final tally at 15-12, 8-15, 15-8.
Men’s finals between India Men versus Konkans Dubai was also fought for supremacy and finally India Men defeated Konkans Dubai after a long battle with a score of 13-15, 15-13, 15-8.
The prize distribution ceremony was held soon after the finals. Sarvotham Shetty invited all the guests present to the prize distribution area. The guests were C Shetty (wife of Dr B R Shetty), Binay Shetty (son) Neema Shetty (daugher), Seema Shetty (daughter) and Aman Sharat Shetty (grandson), Sudheer Kumar Shetty (COO, UAExchange Centre, Richard D’Souza (treasurer, board of governors, ADIS).
The prizes were given away by Dr C Shetty and Richard D’Souza to Smitha Chauta (Best all-rounder, Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha), Nancy Quadras (Best Smasher, Mangalore Konkans), Shakeela Bandari (best defender, Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha). Media representatives were also recognized. Grandson of Dr B R Shetty presented mementos to them.
The trophies for winners of finals, Mangalore Konkans and India Men were given away by Seema Shetty and Richard D’Souza. All players of finalist teams were also recognized and mementos were given to them by Aman Sharat Shetty.
Sarvotham Shetty co-ordinated the entire event with wit and humour and, as in the previous years, was largely responsble for the success of the event.
The KSSM event is being organised in Abu Dhabi since 1989.