Muscat : MCCP Sports Day : Fun and Entertainment
Report : Clarence Pinto
Photos : Dilip Correa
Daijiworld Media Network - Oman
Muscat, Feb 6: The Executive Committee of the Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish ( MCCP – Sts. Peter and Paul Church – Ruwi) organized an enjoyable and fun filled “ Annual Fun Sports Day ” for its members at GDPC Ground (Al Ghobra Power & Desalination Company Ground) - Al Ghobra on Friday, 4th February 2011 from 11.30 a.m. onwards. As announced earlier by Cyprian Misquith, MCCP’s Vice President : Sports and Finance Committees in Daijiworld.com, the day long program was a perfect blend of numerous exciting sports events for all the ages and entertaining cultural program by renowned Konkani singers and artistes of the Konkani Community in Oman. The whole Executive Committee under the able leadership of Monica Dantis had meticulously planned the program and presented enthralling agenda to entertain MCCP members and their friends.
As one of the senior member of the Mangalorean community rightly said – “ Quality of MCCP programs is improving as the years pass by and every year we see something new; something better. This year we are enjoying the event in a different venue with visible integration of leadership skills and powerful organizing capacity. We are happy to see so many new and talented Mangalorean community members in the Executive committee like Nancy Vaz, Jacintha, Celine, Simon, Alexander, Deepak and Reena working with complete dedication to organize so many beautiful events for our community in Muscat. We must salute for their hard work, enthusiasm and commitment.”
The weather around GDPC ground was pleasant and members gathered around noon to register their names and select the groups. Fun Sports program commenced with a welcome address by the President, Monica Dantis. She extended a warm and hearty welcome to all the members, distinguished guests and representatives of the sponsors. She expressed her joy of seeing the Mangaloreans residing in Oman gathering at one venue to share a day of fun and entertainment. She also thanked the benefactors and supporters who helped her to organize the fun sports with such grandeur and excitement. Fr. Albert D Silva, Parish Priest of Holy Spirit Church – Ghala and Spiritual Director of the Konkani Community was the Guest of Honor. In his address, Fr. D Silva expressed his joy of seeing a great unity among the Mangaloreans residing in Oman. He was very much pleased to see the arrangements made by the Executive Committee for fun sports.
Well known compere of Muscat Joe Obil was in-charge of the full function. Joe attracted the participation of the whole gathering with his professional charm and attractive public speaking ability. The program was inaugurated by releasing the balloons by the guest of honor and distinguished guests.
The sponsors of the event were honored by presenting bouquets and also, the core team members Henry Martis, Stanley Fernandes, Donald Pinto and Clarence Pinto were presented with the floral bouquets. The honoring program was conducted by ebullient toastmaster Alexander Sequeira.
Eight teams were formed and they were – Sparrows ( Captain – Wilber D Souza, Vice Captain – Sharmila D Silva), Peacocks ( Captain – Ajith Walder, Philomena Moras – Vice Captain), Ducks ( Captain – Ivan Moras, Vice Captain – Nirmala Goveas), Parrots (Captain – Victor Baptist Pais, Vice Captain – Glenda Castelino), Woodpeckers (Captain – Arun Jivraj Lobo, Vice Captain – Patcy Lasrado), Nightingales (Captain – Samuel D Silva, Vice Captain – Shaila D Souza), Pigeons (Captain - Bernard Moras, Vice Captain – Jessy Pereira), Cranes (Captain – Steven Pinto, Vice Captain – Shalet Noronha). There was a team of cheer girls comprising Lenita Lobo, Shaina D'Souza, Liza D'Sa, Stacy Vaz and Chelsia D'Sa who gave a perfect start to the games with a scintillating dance.
Plenty of interesting games for infants to adults like bombing the city, passing the rings, watermelon backward race, banana-orange garland race, braking the coconuts etc were conducted. Tug of war game was a great fun all the participants and everyone took part with enthusiasm. The cartoon characters Mickey Mouse, Winne the Pooh, Tom and Jerry entertained the children with their dance.
An exclusive Fashion Show cum cat walk was planned and formulated by Nancy Vaz and Sylvester Vaz for the teams brought a great cheer among the participants. The judges of the competition were Sylvester Vaz, Melanie Taurio and Rolita D'Souza. The winners of this competition were as follows :
“Mr. MCCP” Title : Winner : Prakash Mascarenhas, Runners up : Ivan D'souza
”Ms. MCCP” Title : Winner : Miss Shaina D'souza, Runners Up : Miss Glenda Castelino
The Fun Sports special cultural program, a Musical Evening was presented by Muscat’s well known singers and artistes. Victoria Soares, Nirmala Goveas, Anitha Lobo, Reena Lobo, Flavia Castelino, Vivian Fernandes, Joachim D' Souza, Dilip Correa, Ivan Moras, Vincent D' Souza, Ronald Lobo and Allwyn Baptist, Ajit Walder presented the Konkani songs and they were supported with music by Zino Saldhana on keyboard, Sunil D’ Sa on Drums and Robert D Souza on Guitar. Rober D Souza was the guide for the musical show. Lancy Lobo and Deepak D Souza compered the musical show with a different style presentation giving a hilarious touch.
Sumptuous lunch prepared by Al Arsalan Hotel was served and Indian style snacks were served in the evening to make every one happy. There were Face painting, candy floss and henna for children. Ladies also enjoyed henna and face painting.
Housie Housie was arranged by Joe Obil and many attractive prizes were awarded to the winners.
At last, Team Cranes led by Steven Pinto and Shalet Noronha was the winner with 370 points and Samuel D Silva and Shaila D Souza’s team Nightingales secured second place with 350 points. The remaining teams got points as follows :
Peacocks : 310 points, Parrots : 300 points, Pigeons : 280 points, Sparrow / Ducks (Tie) = 270 points and Woodpeckers = 260 points.
The sponsors of the Mega Fun Sports were Omantel, Lawrence Lobo - Al Hazm National Project LLC, WJT Tipco, Oman UAE Exchange, Areej Vegetables & Derivatives SAOG, Zonal Projects, Technical Trading CO. LLC, Khimji Ramdas, Assarain Food Products LLC, Oman Foodstuffs Co – Al Mudhish, Barka Poultry Farm, Jenny Joseph, Ramniklal B Kothari & Co., Mr. Vipul Kotecha - Al -Ghubrah Power & Desalination Co, Risk Management, Melwin Pereira, Nahir Mohd Company, Al Kaif Trading, Prudent Loss adjusters, Al Dasser Cold Stores, Thomas D'Souza, Muscat Pharmacy, Jabal Shabah & Sky Falcon Trading, Al Qabas Printing Press LLC, Green Ghubrah Printing Press, Al Haq Trading & Contracting LLC, Sweets of Oman, National Biscuits Industries Co., B.A.K., Company, Enhance, National Detergent Co., Nestle, Air Arabia, Muscat Bakery, National Tea Co., Onas trading, Oman Plastic, Zahrat Al Rawda, Italian Restaurant and Khimjis
Many community activists supported the event and the volunteers of the event were Sharmila D' Silva, Shanti D Souza, Philomina Saldana, Asha Noronha, Shaila D'Souza, Anita Lobo, Shanti, Philomina Moras, Melwin Lobo, Sunil D'Souza, Peter Fernandes, Allwyn, Prashant D'Souza and Lionel Lobo. Valerian Dantis and Peter Serrao were the overall in-charge of the volunteers.
MCCP Executive Team extended special thanks to Henry Martis, Henry Rodrigues, Alwyn Saldanha ( Al Arsalan Hotel for lunch preparation ), Rajesh – Zahrat Al Rawdha, Jessie Pereira, Brinston Noronha, Clifford Castelino, Vinita Crasta, Benedict Pereira, Rudolph Vaz, Dolphy Vaz, Peter Serrao, Asha Noronha, Philomena Saldanha, Sylvester Vaz, Alfred D'souza and Mahesh Lobo for their generous support extended to present this event.
Monica Dantis had enormous backing from her energetic and supportive team members to present this good program. The members of her squad are Cyprian Misquith : Vice President for Sports and Finance Committees, Lancy Lobo : Vice President for Cultural, Spiritual & Community Services Committees, Nancy Vaz : General Secretary, Simon D’Souza - Honorary Treasurer, Jacintha Serrao : Internal Auditor, Alexander Sequeira - Sports Secretary, Deepak D’Souza - Cultural Secretary, Reena Lobo - Spiritual Secretary, Celine D’Souza - Community Services Secretary
It was a fun filled day for all the members. When evening got over at 9.30 pm, every one had goodie bags to carry and winners had bigger surprises.