Media release

Doha, Jun 4: Prakash Noronha was elected as the new president of Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC), Qatar during its 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Friday June 3 at the Ashoka Hall, ICC premises. Prakash Noronha was the vice-president and was unanimously elected as the president for the term 2016-2018.

Naveen D’Souza, the emcee of the programme, opened the evening with the introduction and welcomed the gathering. Ryan Renjar, general secretary invoked God’s blessings on the programme with an opening prayer. The executive committee of 2014-16 then presented its annual report to the members for the term 2015-16. Joint General Secretary Raj Maxim Rodrigues read the detailed report on Club’s activities while treasurer Ronald Saldanha put forward details of the audited financial report.

President Norbert Corda then gave his final outgoing message as president and briefed on the success story of last year’s activities and thanked every excom member, advisory committee and members for their continued support and help during his term of 2 years presidency and to his excom. He also thanked members for giving him the second opportunity to serve the club as president and encouraged members to come forward to join the executive committee and hone their leadership skills. A small question answer session was allowed and members' queries were all answered.

Richard D’Souza, past president and advisor of the club was then invited to officiate the election of the new committee. He first dissolved the old executive committee. This was followed with the election of the new president and executive committee. He read all the nominations received for all 13 positions and invited all elected members to the stage.

The new executive committee is as follows:

President: Prakash Noronha; Vice-President: Ronald Saldanha; General Secretary: Riana Pinto; Cultural Secretary: Prabha Rego, Sports Secretary: Cyril D’Souza, Membership Secretary: Treza Goveas, Treasurer: Joachim D’Souza, Facilities and Arrangements Secretary: Denzil Christen Lobo Public Relations Officer: Vivian D’Souza, Joint Secretary: Ryan Renjar, Joint Cultural Secretary: Lyarlin Shilpa Rodrigues, Joint Sports Secretary: Naveen D’Souza, Joint Facilities and Arrangement Secretary: Melvyn Pinto .

Sub-committees to assist the executive committee were also formed on the occasion. Cultural Team – Naveen D’Souza, Della Rego, Rita Andrade & Shalini Monteiro; Sports Team – Jaison Lobo, Vijay D’Souza, Winnie Saldanha, Web-master – Anson Fernandes.

Richard D’Souza then took an oath from all elected members describing their duties and them they were officially enrolled in the committee. He then asked the pledge from the members to the newly elected Excom in discharging their duties. Outgoing president Norbert Corda then handed over a copy of the constitution to the new president Prakash Noronha. New president Prakash Noronha then delivered his acceptance speech and thanked all for their support and encouragement. He requested the support of all members in carrying out the duties of the club and requested them to introduce the club to their friends to support membership drive.

The official programme was then followed by a short cultural programme. MCC welcome song was sung by a group comprising members and excom members. This was followed by a solo song from Arlene Monteiro titled “Iskoloso Burgo“ from Maxim’s hits . Young kids sang in a group “Dev Boro Dhees dheevn” composed by Wilfy Rebimbus and entertained the crowd with their lovely singing trained by Lavina D’Souza. Veteran actors Vivian D’Souza, Alwyn Goveas along with Sundeep Noronha presented a rib-tickling joke. MCC’s talent show winner Carol D’Souza then presented in her melodious voice a solo song “Valchya udkaak mog dharyaso” composed by MicMax and won the hearts of all. It was followed by a lively dance from Vanessa Fernandes, Viola Monteiro and Nikita Rego on a Hindi number “Tukuru Tukuru” which was truly enjoyed by all. The final item was another joke from Vivian, Alwyn and Della Rego to which the crowd bursted in laughter.

Lucky member prize was conducted for members and first lucky member was Naveen/Sunita D’Souza and second was won by Prakash/Delita D’Souza. These prizes were given away by president Prakash Noronha.

A game of bingo was played and was conducted by Cyril D’Souza and Vijay D’Souza. Bingo winners were Veena Saldanha, Vanessa Fernandes, William Barboza, Vanessa Saldanha and Cynthia Cordeiro.

Advisors Jerry D’Mello, David D’Souza, Richard D’Souza and Jessy Mendonca gave away the prizes.

Cultural Secretary Riana Pinto proposed the vote of thanks. The whole program was compered by Naveen D’Souza and did an excellent job in his maiden attempt.

All members were then served with sumptuous home cooked food prepared by members.