Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
Pics: Sunil Crasto
Doha, Nov 15: Champions are the ones who hold on to their nerves even when they are in hot waters and come out with flying colours despite having their backs against the wall most of the times. MCC ladies throwball team proved that they are the real champions as they remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and reigned supreme to retain the title at the 14th Annual Ladies Open Throwball Tournament organized by Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC) at the old Ideal Indian School grounds here on November 12 and 13.
The finals played again this year between the bitter on-field rivals Tulu Koota team led by gusty Vijaya Shetty and defending champions MCC team led by feisty Indira Kunder, downed TKQ team where the latter overcame a spirited challenge from Tulu Koota to be crowned as Throwball Champions consecutive for 2nd year. The nail biting finals first set will not be easily forgotten by Tulu Koota team as they were close to winning the set with a score on 24/24 and then could not recover in the 2nd set. MCC ladies held on to their nerves till the very end to retain their Champions Trophy though both teams were equally good and matched each other in every department and tested all players strength with long rallies in midst of the cheering and excited crowd. The final match score was MCC/TKQ- 27/25 and 25/14.
Earlier in the semi-finals played on same day, November 13, Tulu Koota defeated Al Khor Community team in a thrilling match while host MCC defeated Konkan Stars team in a well fought match to reach the finals.
The annual tourney, one of the most popular events among the Mangalurean community in Qatar was inaugurated on Thursday November 12 evening with an welcome note from MCC president Norbert Corda to the gathering and opened the event. MCC sports secretary Alexis Castelino then introduced the six teams - Al Khor Community led by Kannika Shetty, Al Maha Club led by Flavia Fernandes, Konkan Stars led by Susan Rodrigues, Karnataka Sangha Qatar led by Shailaja Ranjith, Tulu Koota Qatar led by Vijaya Shetty and the host MCC team led by Indira Kunder.
Sports secretary Alexis Castelino then conducted the Oath-taking ceremony of all match officials, team captains and managers on behalf of their teams which was followed by the league matches.
In the leagues matches played on Nov 12th, in Group A MCC defeated Al Maha Club and Al Khor Community teams to reach the semi finals, while in Group B Tulu Koota defeated Konkan Stars and Karnataka Sangha to enter the semis. Konkan Stars team played a tough match with Karnataka Sangha where each team won a set each and then Konkan Stars grabbing the third set to their credit to enter the semifinals.
Special attraction of the evening were the cheer girls Delvia Lobo, Viola Monteiro, Delicia Serrao, Deann Menezes and Swen D'Souza who cheered the teams and the crowd with their beautiful dances to some good numbers choreographed by Melicia Menezes.
Before the finals, in the official stage programme MCC President Norbert Corda, Vice President
Prakash Noronha and Sports secretary Alexis Castelino escorted the Chief guest Jotshna Dey, President of Indian Women’s Association Guest of Honour Arvind Patil , President of Indian Community Benevolent Fund, Main sponsor Alfred and Rita Sequiera of Gulf International Enterprises, Prestige Sponsors Franky Quadros, Proprietor of Al Amer Garage and Transport, Henry D’Souza, Finace Executive of Al Balagh Contracting, Co-Sponsor Alan Currie, Finance Manager of Qatar Kentz, to the stage. They were greeted with flower bouquets by our tiny tots. March past was conducted wherein all the teams joined the grand march led by Joint Sports Secretary Violet Veigas to the thunderous applaud of the audience.
President Norbert Corda then delivered the presidential message welcoming the guests, teams and the gathering with a message to uphold the sportsmanship values. Guest of Honour Arvind Patil addressed the gathering and commended MCC for conducting this ladies only event among the Karnataka clubs and in Qatar which is very much awaited tournament which also brings all Karnataka based clubs together and spreads peace and harmony. Chief Guest Jotshna Dey in her address note thanked MCC for conducting this tournament for the past 14 years and congratulated all the teams for their participation in this sports event and wished the best for the finalist teams.
All the teams were honoured by Chief Guest Jotshna Dey with a memento for their participation, President then honoured the Main and Prestige sponsors while the Co-Sponsors were honoured by Arvind Patil with a memento. Various Karnataka based club Presidents namely Tulu Koota Qatar, Karnataka Sangha Qatar, Karnataka Muslim Welfare Association, South Kanara Muslim Welfare Association, Bunts Qatar and ICC Secretary who attended were greeted with flower bouquets by MCC Executive Committee members. Niyaz Ahmed, President of KMCA was recognized for his exceptional support to the club in helping to secure the ground and support facilities.
Sports Secretary Alexis Castelino then proposed the vote of thanks. The participating team captains along with guests released balloons as a symbol of team spirit and peace. The team captains then introduced their team players to the guests and Chief Guest Jotshna Dey and Main Sponsor Rita Sequeira tossed the ball to the captains declaring the final match open.
After the thrilling finals, the prize distribution ceremony was presided over by main sponsor Alfred and Rita Sequeira, Prestige Sponsor Franky Quadros, President Norbert Corda and Vice President Prakash Noronha. Alexis Castelino honoured the match referee Lynel Jaison Lobo for officiating all matches of the tournament with a memento. Franky Quadros presented Best smasher award to Indira Kunder of MCC Team, Best Player award to Angela Dias of MCC Team, Best Catcher award to Vijaya Shetty of Tulu Koota team and Late Prakash Ajila Memorial Best Fair play team was awarded to Al Khor Community Team.
Rita Sequeira presented the medals, certificates and trophy to Runners–up Tulu Koota team and Norbert Corda presented the Winners MCC team with medals and certificates.
Alfred Sequeira presented the Champions trophy to the reigning champions MCC team
TKQ team led by captain Vijaya Shetty, Shobha Shetty, Vani Rao, Lily D’Souza, Akshaya Shetty, Akhila Rao, Padmashree Shetty, Bharathi Shetty, Vandana Hegde, Praveena Shetty, Reshma Rao, Soumini, Malathi Puthran, Jyothi Shetty, Maina Shetty and team Manager Veena Rao. .
MCC ladies team led by captain Indira Kunder, Angela Dias, Sunitha Tellis, Evette Quadros, Mabel Almeida, Winnie Saldanha, Aarti Fernandes, Premila D'Souza, Prameela Vas, Maria D'Souza, Treesa Goveas, Sunita D'Souza, Siji Sunny and Violet Veigas as team manager.
The stage programme was compered by MCC cultural secretary Riana Pinto. The sports officials were John Britto, Vincent Castelino, Cyril D’Souza, Ryan Renjar, Arun D’Souza and Vijay D’Souza. The commentators desk was managed by Mishal Lovely Lobo and Clara Castelino while the scoreboard was managed by Vanessa Saldanha, Divya Noronha and Suraj and Veena Noronha.
MCC thanked its main sponsor Alfred and Rita Sequeira, Gulf International Enterprises for its continued patronage for 14 years, Prestige Sponsors Space Trading, Al Amer Garage and Transport, Al Balagh Contracting, co-sponsors Qatar Kentz, Radisson Blu Hotel, Integral Food Services and support sponsors Euro Spare Parts, Golden Trading and Decoration, Wings International Trading and Contracting, Canara Jewellers, Akshaya Jewellers, Intermodal Services and Integral Uniforms.
Tulu Koota Qatar also continued its environment campaigns on the final day of the tournament.
The organizers thanked the team of volunteers in a special way for all the hard work put in for the success of the tournament. MCC also thanked the chief guest and other esteemed guests, the sponsors, the participating teams and their officials and all those who have helped in making this mega sporting event a grand success.