Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat

Muscat, Sep 7: Despite putting up an impressive performance, Team Coorg lost 2-3 to Al Ahli Sports Veterans, Sidab, at an exhibition match organised to commemorate Dhyan Chand Day at Jabr bin Zaid ground in Muscat, Oman, recently

The match, organised by Team Coorg, was part of Dhyan Chand Day 2008 celebrations, which was observed by Indian Embassy and the Bhojpuri Wing of India Social Club yesterday.

Team Coorg, lead by Devaiah, made early inroads into rival citadel but failed to convert a few sitters in the early part of first half. Al Ahli drew the first blood through a goalmouth melee in the fifteenth minute of first half, and made it 2-0 with goal a little later. For Team Coorg, Karumbaiah restored some parity just before half time to make it 2-1.

The second half saw both teams creating moves in the flanks, only to be deceived by alert defence time and again. Meanwhile, Al Ahli increased their lead to 3-1 midway through the second half. Niran Bopaiah reduced the margin for Team Coorg just before the final hooter.

Indian Ambassador Anil Wadhwa was the chief guest. Mustafa Mahalalah Ali Al Lawati, secretary general of Oman Hockey Association, Saif Mubarak Al Rahibi, chairman of Al Ahli Sports Veterans, Sidab, SAS Naqvi, sports consultant, Osama Rawat, sports secretary of ISC Bhojpuri wing were also present.

The match, played for 50 minutes with a five-minute break, was well received by a strong crowd of over 150 people. Unlike other hockey clubs in Oman, Team Coorg was formed in March this year, and their impressive run in local tournaments has made people take notice of the tiny community in the southern Indian peninsula. Orange T-shirt clad Team Coorg members and their supporters created an ‘orange surge’ all over the ground.

From eye-catching seating arrangements for dignitaries to Coorgi ladies in their traditional outfits, Team Coorg had planned the event meticulously, and this was the first eleven-a-side hockey match was being organised by an expatriate team in the Sultanate.

The 65-year-old Shabbir Khan, an admirer of Olympian Ashok Kumar, who witnessed the match said, “I hope more such events are organised in future to revive the game of hockey among expatriates in Sultanate. I hope India will get back the lost glory in the next Olympics in London in 2012.”

Kuttappa of Team Coorg, the organisers of this exhibition match, said, “We are thrilled by the crowd support and we have plans to host more such tournaments in the months to come. We thank all the sponsors and members of Coorg community for making this event happen.”

Indian Ambassador Anil Wadhwa gave away mementos to the players of two teams. Kishor Cariappa compered the programme. Major Cariappa welcomed the gathering, while Robin Bopaiah proposed the vote of thanks.