Exhilarating Kudla Cup unites Mangaloreans in Muscat
Report: Prescilla Menezes
Pics: Dilip Correa
Muscat, Feb 12: ‘Diversity brings the world together’… as the adage goes, again this year the Mangalorean communities residing in Muscat amalgamated through the super sporting event Kudlar Cup 2014, to celebrate the joy of unity in diversity in the golden land of Oman. The trio of buddies, a unit by themselves Kudla Friends-Muscat Srikanth Shetty, Yuvaraj Salian and Suraj Rebello organized this universal event of high magnitude which can be rightly called as ‘Sports Fest’ of the Coastal Karnataka. The popular trio structured and delivered yet another macro event through their untiring efforts, and almost all the communities of Kudla (in the region of South Kanara and Udupi districts) residing in Muscat united at one venue, thus fostering and strengthening the bond between communities while away from home.
The Kudla Sports Fest was scheduled in parts at different intervals, to enable electrified entertainment and high number participation from the communities such as Oman Billawas, Oman Bunts, Muscat Mogaveers, Mangalorean Catholic Community (MCCP), Beary Community of Muscat, South Kanara Muslim Brothers, Kulal, Shettigars, Vishwakarma and Bovi.
The tournament categories were:
1) Cricket for men & women – Date: 17.01.2014 to 31.01.2014.
2) Volleyball for men
3) throwball for women
4) Lagori (Seven Tiles) for men.
5) Slow Cycle Relay Race for men and women
6) Tug of War for men and women
Cricket Tournament was held from January 17 to January 31 at GPDCO cricket ground. The trophy and prize distribution for this category was managed along with the other categories, at the closing ceremony on the final day.
On Thursday February 6, Kudla Cup 2014 Fest Part 2 began. The event kick started at 9 pm in a floodlit, cold, windy yet a pleasant atmosphere at Wadi Kabir Sports Grounds - Muscat. A weekend had already started in a different unique style. The crowd started moving in steadily and the stands at the stadium in no time were jam packed. The teams and participants reported well within the time and were warming up, creating an awesome serious sports feel; nonetheless it portrayed an ambience of mini Olympics!
The ceremony commenced at 9 pm. The entire event was anchored by the maestro Suraj Rebello. The teams along with supporters lined up for a March-past (parade of teams) and oath, which was an absolute treat for eyes to watch. The organizers felt this was essential for enticing the serious feeling and incite the sports competitiveness, for the glory of unity of communities and sports.
At the inauguration, the colourful balloons were let loose in the air flying high that reached the dark sky at rocket speed as if they were also in a mood of playing with the moon and the stars … nature’s motivation for high spirits! The welcome address by Suraj was followed by the inaugural speech of chief guest Shrinath Hebbar renowned Builder and Property Developer of Land Trades, Mangalore; being the main event sponsor. Special thanks was mentioned to Chidananda Naik, area manager of M Pallonji - Qatar who has been a staunch supporter of all events executed by Kudla Friends-Muscat.
The oath on behalf of all the participants was undertaken by Celine D’souza and a motivational jingle ‘East or West – Kudla is the Best’ was chanted by Suraj to poke the spirits of participants and supporters.
After this exciting start the various events lined up for the evening quickly progressed and went on till early morning 4am. The preliminary rounds started with popular and recreational sports throwball – women's category and furthered with volleyball – men's category. Lagori – men and slow cycle race – men and women, a new attraction on the cards, followed on. The crowd enjoyed every moment as their teams performed and supported them all along. This was an absolute witness of unity in diversity!
Five teams for throwball and ten of Volleyball teams played with high spirits and intense focus, some of them spanking the ball really well. The format of the game was league matches and with tennis points.
There were six teams in men’s Category and 4 teams in women’s category for slow cycle relay race, each team comprised of 4 players.
There were 8 teams for lagori, each team comprised of 7 players. This was the most enjoyed tournament of the event, a proper Kudla feeling emerged being a local sport back home in India.
After an exhaustive first day of part 2 on Thursday that went unto early morning of Friday February 7, the teams and supporters vacated the stadium, looking ahead for the next spirit filled deciding day that would bring them the joy and satisfaction for all the sweat shed and the hard work in practicing all the way through the days & nights. With the same enthusiasm and high spirits, the communities gathered back again at the grounds on Friday, February 7 at 10 am for the tournaments’ semi-finals and finals.
Amidst tough competition, the event picked up momentum and viewers at the stands were excited to watch their teams performing with serious competitive spirit. Throughout the matches, referees Viju, Gautham and Srikanth monitored for a perfect result, abiding by the rules of the games. Accordingly the scorers Harish Shetty and Wilson, in a professional manner kept the score record perfectly.
To ease the tensed atmosphere and enhance sporting spirit DJ Loveline Rego entertained the crowd with sensational and lively music from beginning to end with popular foot tapping numbers loved by all age people. Ganesh Shetty (Omasco) and Walter supported flawlessly with sound and lighting, that is critical at any event.
Refreshments and light beverages were served to satisfy the hungry which doubled the energy of players and crowd to perform / cheer well, all day long.
Commentator for the day Shivaprasad Shetty attracted interest of all gathered through his humour filled live and running commentary in combination of Tulu, Kannada and English languages.
The Kudla voice 2013 title winners and popular participants, performed at the venue to entertain the gathering through scintillating foot-tapping live music. The crowd could not resist themselves in the cold evening, thusthrowing away the decked warm clothes, almost all danced to the tune and music, enjoying themselves creating a perfect party mood.
Suraj, Srikanth and Yuvaraj along with the crew of eminent volunteers were with eyes fully on, when games were in progress. Entire team worked in a professional manner being very supportive with their efforts and adept ideas. They were in full control of the event and handled formation of teams and briefed the rules to all the teams precisely therefore ambiguity was ruled out. They also monitored closely to ensure zero injuries or casualties at the venue.
After a long tiring day, Tug of War for both and men & women a popular event welcome by all… was a befitting final sport to sum up the Sport Fest.. True sportsmanship and numerous talents, were witnessed at the venue.
The closing ceremony was well managed by famous Kudlite Umesh, in his usual humour filled Tulu poetic style igniting the ideal feeling of KUDLA. There was also singing by Voice of Kudla winners Chaitra, Jonathan and Zeba. The end result is most awaited by all players. The prize distribution was carried out meticulously. The trophies and prizes were awarded to winners, runners-up and Best Players of all the games held during the Annual Kudla Cup’2014, in an appropriate manner by Suraj Rebello.
During this session, the sponsors, supporters and volunteers were acknowledged and felicitated with bouquets. The elite supporters who graced the Kudla Sports’ Fest were Ashok Suvarna, S K Poojary, Ramesh Shettigar, Dr C K Anchan, Jaya Ramesh, Tharanath Kotian, Stanley Fernandes, Henry Martis, Denis Alva, Lancy Lobo, Dr Vijendra Rao, Ajith Pandit, general manager of Lulu Darsait, Brinston Noronha and George Andrade, assistant sales manager of Sweets of Oman.
The Kudla Friends-Muscat is attributed for exerting its services tirelessly and catering the families of all communities belonging to South Kanara and Udupi district through a mix of cultural and sports events, to eradicate the differences of caste and creed within the community and grow stronger as one unit, outside our home country ‘INDIA’,an essential identity for all of us. A big ovation to the Trio Suraj Rebello, Srikanth Shetty and Yuvaraj Salian – the Kudla Friends of Muscat.
Results
Cricket – Men's Category:
Winners: Vishwakarma XI
Runners up: Muscat Mogaveers
Best Player of the Tournament: Praveen (Vishwakarma)
Special Appreciation : Praveen (Muscat Mogaveers)
Cricket – Women' Category:
Winners:Mangalorean Catholic Community(MCCP)
Runners-up: Oman Billawas
Best Player of the Tournament: Cynthia (MCCP)
Special Appreciation : Anusha Arun (Oman Billawas)
Volleyball (men):
Winners: Muscat Mogaveers
Runners-up: Oman Billawas
Best Player of the Tournament: Sharath (Muscat Mogaveers)
Special Appreciation: Jithesh (Oman Billawas)
Throwball (women):
Winners: Mangalorean Catholic Community (MCCP)
Runners-up: Muscat Mogaveers
Best Player of the Tournament: Prenetha (MCCP)
Special Appreciation : Sujatha (Muscat Mogaveers)
Slow Cycle Relay Race: Men
Winners: Oman Billawas
Runners-up: Muscat Mogaveers
Slow Cycle Relay Race: Women
Winners: Bunts
Runners-up: Mangalorean Catholic Community (MCCP)
Lagori (Three Tiles): Men
Winners: Shettigar
Runners-up: Mangalorean Catholic Community (MCCP)
Tug of War: Men
Winners: Mangalorean Catholic Community (MCCP)
Runners-up: Bunts
Tug of War: Women
Winners: Mangalorean Catholic Community (MCCP)
Runners-up: Bunts