Report: Clarence Pinto
Pics: Dilip Correa
Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat
Muscat, Nov 20: The Mangalorean Catholic Center of the Parish (MCCP – Sts Peter and Paul Church – Ruwi) presented a fascinating feast of fantastic cricket at Muscat Sports Club Grounds – Al Wadi Al Kabir on Friday November 18 for its members and associated family members. After successfully hosting 'Mixed Throwball for Men and Women', the first of its kind in the history of MCCP, the 20th year special cricket mania was organized by the executive committee under the able leadership of Stanley Fernandes, Lawrence Alva and Eula Pinto.
As usual, the arrangements made for the tournament were fabulous. Prem Colaco – sports secretary of MCCP, one of the brightest talent discovered this year by the community, was the man who worked very hard to offer all the required arrangements for the tournament.
Immediately after the traditional breakfast which was sponsored by Cletus and Melanie Tauro, the registration for the men’s cricket tournament commenced. The registration was hand led by Sharmila D'Silva, Sudhir, Shaila D'Souza, Flavia Menezes and Shanti D'Souza. There were plenty of young Mangaloreans enthusiastically waiting for the tournament to commence. As someone rightly said – cricket is the time when young and old members of MCCP actively participate in one community spirit.
The program began with a warm and hearty welcome by a new anchor of the community – Jason Rodrigues. Certainly, Jason, an IT professional from the Bangalore University, is a new and budding talent of the community discovered by Prescilla Menezes. He presented the whole inaugural function with ease in his mother tongue Konkani. Once again, a round of great appreciation should reach to the lady, Prescilla Menezes – general secretary of MCCP, who supports, encourages and trains the new talents of the community specially youngsters. Prescilla, an ardent supporter of Konkani language, culture and tradition, with the support of her executive committee is determined to bring many new talents to the forefront so that in the future the community will have many brilliant presenters and speakers. Interestingly, Prescilla has been elected the first lady president of the very first lady’s toastmasters club in Oman under the patronage of Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi.
Benedict Pereira, honorary treasurer of MCCP and veteran leader of the community led the prayers seeking heavenly blessings on the tournament and players. Official MCCP welcome was presented by Prem Colaco.
The chief guest of the inaugural function was Clifford Sanctis, managing director of Hydrotec International LLC, a company specialized and market leader in Lifting Equipment supply and installation of special lifting cranes with offices in Oman and India. Clifford was also accompanied by Lydia Sanctis, an entrepreneur and community activist. Stanley Fernandes presented Clifford and Lydia with floral bouquet. Formal inaugural ceremony was anchored by Ivan Moras, versatile singer and cultural secretary of MCCP. A torch was lit by Clifford Sanctis and was taken in a procession around the ground, led by Wilson D'Souza, well known sportsman and internal auditor of MCCP, and Prem Colaco. Clifford Sanctis in his speech encouraged the community members to participate in these sports events to enhance the community spirit.
Suraj Rebello and Dolly Gomes were the main coordinators of the tournament. They commanded and controlled the whole event with a professional touch. The umpires were Satish, Vinayak, Owen Louis and Saleem Hanson. The special commentary during the matches were given by Russel D'Souza, Donald Pinto and Rohan. Russel, as usual, entertained the whole crowd with his witty notes.
There were ten teams in the men’s category and team captains were Wilson D'Souza, Thomas Pinto, Alex Crasta. Ajith Walder, Samuel D'Silva, Sylvester Alva, Ivan Moras, Benedict Pereira, Lawrence Alva and Prem Colaco.
The ladies category had four teams and the team captains were Eula Pinto, Celine D'Souza, Prescilla Menezes and Mariette Fernandes.
Matches were entertaining. Young cricketers from the Coastal Karnataka showcased their talents in the series of matches. In the finals of the men’s category, there was a tough fight between Lawrence Alva’s team and Sylvester Alva’s team. Both the teams had brilliant bowlers and strong batsmen. Ultimately, Lawrence Alva’s team secured the first place with a good and tactful cricket.
The prize distribution ceremony was held after the tournament. The chief guest of the ceremony were Mrs and Mr Vincent Prescilla Machado and their daughter Gloria Machado. Vincent Machado is a good cricket player and great supporter of Konkani programs and cultural events in Oman and India. Suraj Rebello and Prem Colaco conducted the prize distribution ceremony. The core committee members Henry Martis, Donald Pinto, Suraj Rebello and Clarence Pinto were also present.
Stanley Fernandes unveiled the special programs of the 20th year like mega cultural event titled Ustav, the Mangalorean Day and other enthralling events. November 18 being the National Day of the Sultanate of Oman, Lawrence Alva congratulated the country of residence and wished every Omani citizen a prosperous life. Mariete Fernandes proposed vote of thanks.
The executive committee team comprising Vice President Sports and Finance: Eulalia Pinto, Vice President – Cultural, Spiritual and Community Services - Lawrence Alva, General Secretary - Prescilla Menezes, Honorary Treasurer - Benedict Pereira, Internal Auditor - Wilson Mark D'Souza, Cultural Secretary - Ambrose Ivan Moras, Sports Secretary - Prem Colaco, Spiritual Secretary- Mariete P N Fernandes and Community Services Secretary - Ophilia Lazarus are doing a great job for the community. As one senior member of the community said, it is not easy to organize any event for the community with selfless motives and without personal benefits. In the past 19 years many have worked for the community with zeal and dedication, and this tradition is carried forward by this committee also. Mangaloreans in Oman should be grateful to every member who worked in the past for the progress of MCCP.
The main sponsors of 20th Cricket Mania were Mr and Mrs Vincent Machado and Family. The supporting sponsors were Cletus and Melanie Tauro, Melwin and Twinkle Pereira, Muscat Pharmacy and Enhance
The mega sponsors of MCCP’s annual programs are Ronald Colaco and family – Dubai and Bank Muscat SAOG. The main sponsors are Leo Quadros – Addhia Trading and Contracting Co LLC - Oman and Canterbury Castles – Bangalore, Omantel SAOG, Raphael D'Souza – Muscat Golden Services LLC, Ligory D Mello and Family – Technofit LLC, Muscat Pharmacy and Stores LLC, Clifford Sanctis and Fly – Hydrotec International Co. LLC. The co-sponsors are National Bank of Oman, Denis Mascarenhas and fly – Prestige Projects and Engineering Supplies Co. LLC, Michael Pinto – Ideal Tailors LLC, James Mendonca and Fly – Dubai, Leo Rodrigues and Fly – Abu Dhabi, Daniel Fernandes and Fly, Huawei Technologies and Al Hajery Trading LLC
The final results are as follows:
Men's category– Winners
Lawrence Alva – Captain
Loyson D'Souza
Dhillan Vaz
Noel D'Souza
Rakesh Coello
Glason Misquith
Roshan J. D’Souza
Avinash Menezes
Joseph D’Souza
Alban Menezes
Simon Saldanha
Runners-up
Sylvester Alva – Captain
Praveen Louis
Roshan Stany Corda
LloyD'Sequeira
Francis D'Souza (Junior)
Francis D'Souza
Prakash
James
Eugene Sequeira
Francis D Mello
Alphonse Rodrigues
Ladies Category: Winners
Eula Pinto – Captain
Priya Quadros
Shalet Noronha
Flavia Menezes
Amand a Pinto
Lucy Sequeira
Lydia Nancy
Adriana Noronha
Irene D'Souza
Elvira D'Souza
Jancintha Mascarenhas
Jancintha Mathais
Runners-up
Celine D'Souza – Captain
Flavia D'Souza
Sunitha Nazareth
Rita Gama
Asha Noronha
Liza Mathias
Sunitha D'Souza
Ruwaina D'Souza
Helen Sequeira
Ashlita D'Souza
Judith