UAE: KCO Throwball Tourney - Bunts Dubai Rule the Day
Report & Pictures: Oswald M D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, Nov 17: It was Bunts Dubai all the way - who showed their superiority in both ladies and mixed (ladies and men) throwball tournments held in Abu Dhabi, winning the coveted KCO Trophies at the Abu Dhabi Indian School Grounds on Friday November 16.
The third edition of KCO Tournament generated overwhelming response from all over the UAE. There were 11 teams for ladies throwball and 9 teams for mixed throwball teams.
Both tournaments were played in true sense of sportsmen spirit with exciting finishes and were a visual treat to watch for the large number of spectators present.
Following teams participated in the day-long event.
ladies throwball
Bunts Dubai
Mangalore Konkans
Kanarites - Dubai
Konkans - Dubai
Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha
Konkani Cultural Organization (KCO)
Mogaveers
Pacific Stars
ADIS
St Joseph’s School
Sharjah Stars
mixed throwball
Bunts Dubai
Mangalore Konkans
Kanarites - Dubai
Konkans - Dubai
Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha
Konkani Cultural Organization (KCO)
Mogaveers
Pacific Stars
Sharjah Stars
The teams were divided into pools and matches were played on league basis. The pools were drawn on the spot in the presence of the team captains. The rules were explained and players were briefed prior to commencement of the tournament.
The tournament commenced at 9 am with a brief inaugural ceremony, which was attended by several dignitaries. Ronald Pinto of Hyssna – the main sponsor of the event was also the chief guest and spoke briefly on the occasion. Sarvotham Shetty, who was instrumental in bringing the throwball concept in Abu Dhabi also spoke and wished the participating teams success. Along with chief guest, Leo Rodrigues of Mazroui Automobiles, Sudhir Kumar Shetty of UAE Exchange and Bennette D’Mello, president of KCO were on the dais. Michael D’Silva welcomed the gathering.
The participating teams took the oath of good behavior and sportsmen spirit and colourful balloons were released symbolically to declare the tournament open.
Both the tournaments had their highs and lows, each team competing with the other vigorously to gain a place in the finals.
In the ladies category the semi-finals were played in between Mangalore Konkans and Bunts Dubai, with Bunts Dubai winning by a close margin. The other semi-finals saw Abu Dhabi Karntaka Sangha defeating Kanarites Dubai. The final was between Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha and Bunts Dubai and Bunts Dubai finally won the coveted trophy in a nail-biting finish.
In the mixed category the semi-finals were played between Mangalore Konkans and Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, with Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha reaching the finals; and Bunts Dubai and Konkans Dubai, with the former reaching the final. The final was played between Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha and Bunts Dubai and once again Bunts Dubai mixed team won the trophy defeating Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha in an exciting final.
Trophies were awarded to the winning and runners-up teams during a brief concluding ceremony after the tournament. Sudhir Kumar Shetty spoke on the occasion congratulating the winning teams.
THE WINNERS
Ladies Throwball
Winner : Bunts Dubai.
Runners Up – Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha
Best Striker : Latha Shetty of Bunts Dubai
Best All-rounder : Sneha Praveen Kumar of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha
Mixed (Men and Ladies) Throwball
Winner : Bunts Dubai
Runners up : Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sanghai
Best Striker : Ravi Raj of Bunts Dubai
Best All-rounder : Ritesh Kumar of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha
Best Disciplined team – ladies - Sharjah Stars
Best Desciplined team – mixed - Pacific Stars
Valerian D’Almedia, general secretary of KCO proposed the vote of thanks. Vivek Serrao and Joyce Rego compered the whole event.
The tournament was officiated by Sathish Shetty, Danzy, Dey, Jayapal Raj, Annette Menezes and Jacintha Rasquinha who played a vital role in giving fair decisions and conducted the tournament in a professional manner.
As usual the tournament was well organized and ably conducted under the leadership of the sports secretary Vivek Serrao and the KCO’s dynamic president Bennette D’Mello and his dedicated members giving them required support, which was evident through their discipline and co-ordination.