MCC Correspondent, Qatar
Doha, Oct 9: Ramadan is looked forward to with great enthusiasm by the Throwball lovers in Qatar, for it is during this Holy month that the prestigious Annual Ladies Throwball Tournament is conducted by the Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC). This year the dates for the tournament were September 28, 29 and October 5 for the preliminary matches and the grand final was held on Friday, October 6. Like last year, the venue chosen for this sporting event was the Birla Public School. Nine teams registered for this tournament and they were divided into two groups as follows:
Group A
Mangalore Cricket Club
Tulu Koota
Qatar Tamizhar Sangham
Super Troopers
Goan Welfare Association
Group B
Konkan Stars
DPS - MIS
Al Maha Club
Dynamix
After the preliminary matches, two of the leading teams from each group were eligible to play in the semifinals. Konkan Stars played against MCC and Tulu Koota played against Dynamix. MCC and Tulu Koota were triumphant in their semi-final matches and thus carved a place for themselves in the prestigious final match.
A formal function was organized on Friday, October 6, 2006 at 6.30 p.m. to declare the ceremony open. H.E. Dr. George Joseph, Indian Ambassador to Qatar and his wife Mrs. Rani George, graced the occasion. Also present on the dais were Mrs. & Mr. Ganesh Srinivasan, Manager, M/s. Gulf Incon, Mrs. Nighat Khalid, Principal, Pakistan Education Centre, Mr. Alan Currie, Financial Manager, Qatar Kentz, President of MCC, Mr. Norbert Corda, Vice President Mr. Sunil D’Silva and Sports Secretary Mr. Ernest Cutinho.
HE Dr George Joseph addressed the gathering and in his address, he emphasized the importance of participating in such events and congratulated MCC on organizing the tournament.
The function was compered by Francis Lobo. On behalf of the Managing Committee of Mangalore Cricket Club, Sunil D’Silva addressed the audience. Ernest Cutinho welcomed the gathering and Riana Pinto, Joint Secretary, proposed the vote of thanks.
The highlight of the evening was the grand march in which all teams participated. Nine different coloured balloons, symbolizing nine different teams, were released by the chief guests along with the captains of each team. Mrs. Rani Joseph, Mrs. Srinivasan and Mrs. Nighat Khalid were joined by the referee Mrs. Shahida, MCC’s Throwball Coordinator Mrs. Violet Veigas and Riana Pinto for an interesting inaugural rally.
The first match on the concluding day of the tournament was played between Konkan Stars and Dynamix, for the third place. After a challenging match, Konkan Stars, who were the runners up in 2005, emerged the second runners up.
The exciting final match was played between Tulu Koota and Mangalore Cricket Club, the reigning champions. And much to the delight of the Tulu Koota supporters, who were all sporting yellow colored t-shirts to show their solidarity with their team, Tulu Koota clinched the nail-biting match. Tulu Koota is the only team to have played in all the five tournaments that have been organized so far. The Throwball team of MCC was formed three years back.
All matches were refereed by Mrs. Shahida of the Pakistan Education Center. Uday Rosario and Florent D’Souza in the commentary box made the atmosphere livelier by their entertaining comments. They were supported by Deon Britto, Alexis D’Souza and Urmila Rosario.
Certificates and trophies were awarded by Mr. Felix Lobo, Past President of MCC, and Mr. Jerry D’Mello, founder member of MCC, to the participants and winners of the Seven-a-Side Cricket Tournament which was held on 25th August 2006.
MCC is grateful to the main sponsors of the event Mr. & Mrs. Alfred and Rita Sequeira of Gulf International Enterprises for their unstinted support towards all community events.
MCC would also like to thank the Co-sponsors of the event M/s. Gulf Incon & M/s. Qatar Kentz. We also thank our well wishers Avis Rent-a-car, Birla Public School, Jumbo Electronics, Hotel Ramada, Mannai Air Travel, Canara Jewellers, Safa Water, Integral Services, Mc Donald's, Hempel Paints, Inspection Corrosion & Engineering Services, Swagath Restaurant, Photo Power & Gulf Times without whose support this tournament would not have been possible.
MCC takes this opportunity to thank the volunteers, the participating teams and the spectators for their support in making this tournament a grand success.