Media Release
Doha, Apr 30: The Goan Welfare Association (GWA) has called off the long-planned 26th annual May Queen Ball in Qatar due to the ongoing Middle East crisis.
The mega event was scheduled to be held on May 8, 2026, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha. It was expected to feature a top Goan band, an international DJ, and Bollywood celebrities, with dignitaries including ministers, diplomats, and MLAs from overseas in attendance.
While the organisers noted that bringing artists from India is technically possible and the necessary permissions were granted by Qatari authorities, flight uncertainties and record-high airline costs posed significant challenges. Furthermore, sponsors and well-wishers requested GWA president Simon D’Silva and his team to cancel this year's edition in favour of a grander celebration in 2027. Despite a year of meticulous planning, the association decided that the unpredictable regional situation made it difficult to host the magnificent event.
The May Queen Ball is a jubilant celebration of culture, music, and unity. Last year, on May 9, 2025, the GWA hosted its landmark 25th-anniversary event at the Giwana Ballroom, Radisson Blu Hotel. The celebration drew a vibrant crowd of Goans and fellow Indians from the region, as well as guests from Australia, the United Kingdom, Goa, and neighboring GCC states including Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
The Indian ambassador to Qatar, Vipul, had graced the silver jubilee event as the chief guest. Although Goa chief minister Dr Pramod Sawant and NRI affairs commissioner Adv Narendra Sawaiker were scheduled to attend, they had to opt out at the last moment due to unforeseen circumstances.
The Goan Welfare Association has been the voice of the Goan community in Qatar for the last 26 years. Under the leadership of Simon D’Silva and the GWA managing committee, the association has been at the forefront of nurturing Goan culture and supporting various social causes.
GWA president Simon D’Silva stated that the May Queen Ball 2027 will return with "double the excitement and electrifying effects," with the team putting in maximum effort to bring bigger artists and higher energy. Meanwhile, the association's next upcoming event, the Sao Joao celebration, is scheduled for June 26, 2026.