Abu Dhabi: Bunts Dubai, Konkans Dubai, Chilly Willy lift KCO Trophies
Oswald M D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, Feb 1: Bunts Dubai (ladies) and Konkans – Dubai (men) showed their superiority in Throwball Tournament and Chilly Willy (men) proved their dominance over their rival volleyball teams, winning the coveted KCO Trophies for ladies throwball, men’s throwball and men’s volleyball at the Abu Dhabi Indian School grounds on Friday January 31.
This year's KCO Tournament generated overwhelming response from all over the UAE. There were 7 teams each for both ladies and men throwball teams and 6 teams for volleyball contest.
All tournaments were played in true sense of sportsmen spirit with exciting finishes and were a visual treat for the spectators present.
Following teams participated in the day-long event:
Ladies throwball
1. KCO – Abu Dhabi
2. Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha
3. Mogaveers
4. Konkans - Dubai
5. Bunts - Dubai
6. SMMKC - Sharjah
7. Mangalore Konkans
Men’s throwball
1. KCO – Abu Dhabi
2. Bunts Dubai
3. SMMKC
4. Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha
5. Mogaveers
6. Mangalore Konkans
7. Konkans – Dubai
Volleyball teams (men)
1. Karaval Milan
2. Chilly Willy
3. Shanan Star
4. Mogaveers
5. St. Lawerence
6. Star One
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. All rules were explained and players were briefed prior to commencement of the tournament.
The tournament commenced at 10 am with a brief inaugural ceremony, which was attended by several dignitaries. Ronald Pinto of Hysna along with his wife and son – the main Sponsors of the event, Walter Almeida of Regal Furnishing, Michael D’silva – Noble Metals, V K Mathu of Indian School, Sarvotham Shetty President of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha and Valerian D’Almeida – the current president of KCO were on the dais. Valerian D’Almeida welcomed the gathering.
The participating teams took the oath of good behavior and sportsmen spirit and colourful balloons were released symbolically by the chief guest to declare the tournament open.
The tournaments had their highs and lows, each team competing with each other vigorously to gain a place in the finals.
In the ladies category the semi finals were played in between Konkans Dubai versus Mangalore Konkans and Bunts Dubai versus Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha. Bunts Dubai and Konkans Dubai entered the finals and The Finals were between these teams were fiercly contested and Bunts Dubai emerged winners to win the coveted KCO ladies throwball Trophy.
The men’s throwball semi finals were played between Bunts Dubai and Mangalore Konkans and Konkans Dubai and K.C.O. Abu Dhabi. Bunts Dubai and Konkans entered the finals defeating their rivals. The finals between Bunts Dbai and Konkans Dubai was keenly contested, ultimately Konkans Dubai won the KCO men’s throwball Trophy in a nail biting finish.
In the volleyball contest semi finals were played between Star One versus Shanan Star and Chilly Willy versus St Lawrence. Star One and Chilly Willy entered finals and Chilly Willy showed their supremacy by winning the KCO volleyball Trophy in an exciting final.
Trophies were awarded to the winning and runners up teams after the tournament during a brief concluding ceremony.
The Winners
Ladies throwball
Winner : Bunts Dubai.
Runner-up : Konkans Dubai
Best Striker : Seema Furtado – Konkans Dubai
Best All-rounder : Shruthi Shetty – Bunts Dubai
Men’s throwball
Winner : Konkans - Dubai
Runner-up : Bunts Dubai
Best Striker : Johnson Lobo – Konkans Dubai
Best All-rounder : Santhosh Shetty – Bunts Dubai
Men’s volleyball
Winner : Chilly Willy
Runner-up : Star One
Best Striker : Dancy Corea – Star One
Best All-rounder : Akib – Chilly Willy
KCO general secretary Leena D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks. Vivek Serrao and Rupert Vaz compered the whole event. Expert commentary provided by young Vinod Shetty in his usual style.
The tournament referees did a commendable job by providing apt and fair decisions.
As usual the tournament was well organized and ably conducted under the guidance of its president Valerian D’Almeida and his dedicated members giving him the required support, which was evident with their discipline and co-ordination.