Qatar: Konkan Stars - Winners of the 6th Annual Ladies Throwball Tournament
Photographs: Melwyn Fernandes
Report: MCC Correspondent, Qatar
Doha, Oct 28: The four-day tournament culminated with the clash of the titans, Konkan Stars and the home team, MCC, at the finals of the tournament which was held on Friday, October 26, 2007 at the Birla Public School grounds. In a nailbiting final which tested the strength and intelligence of both teams,Konkan Stars triumphed and were declared the winners of the tournament. Tulu Koota won their match against Al Maha Club and were declared the second runners up.
The nine participating teams were divided into two groups and Konkan Stars and MCC made it to the top of their respective groups without having lost any of their league matches. Konkan Stars played with Al Maha Club and MCC had to fight it out with Tulu Koota, the winners of last year's tournament, in the semi-finals.
The solemn inaugural ceremony was held after the semi-final matches. The chief guest of the evening was Ravindra P Jaiswal, First Secretary (Political), Indian Embassy. Other guests of honor and dignitaries on stage were Allen Currie, Farukh Sardar, N.K. Wahi, Wilfred Fernandes, Divaker Poojary and Arvind Patil. Also present on the dais were Sunil D'Silva, Vice President, Jerry Dmello, advisor and Norbert Corda, President of Mangalore Cricket Club. Rita Andrade was the anchor for the evening. The Sports Secretary Cyril D'Souza welcomed the participating teams, dignitaries and the spectators. Norbert Corda delivered the presidential address. Rajwinder Jaiswal, in his address, commended the efforts of Mangalore Cricket Club for having organized the impressive ladies throwball tournament.
Joyce Alvares conducted the grand march after which the guests were introduced to the teams. As a symbolic gesture nine different colored balloons representing the nine participating teams were released by the referee Mrs. Shaheeda Fathima, Pakistan Education Center, the captains of the nine teams, Riana Pinto, Joint Secretary and Violet Veigas, Joint Sports Secretary. The tournament was officially declared open with a rally between
the Club representatives, referee and the captains on court.
Riana Pinto proposed the vote of thanks. Uday Rosario provided lively commentary on all four days of the matches and was ably supported by Florent D'Souza.
The main sponsors of the tournament were Mr. Alfred Sequeira, Gulf International Enterprises and Mr.& Mrs. Arthur Mendonca. The tournament was co-sponsored by Qatar Kentz, Integral Services Co., Ramada Hotel, Ali Bin
Ali Travels and Mannai Air Travels.
Mangalore Cricket Club is grateful to Birla Public School for having provided the venue and to its well-wishes for their support in making this tournament a grand success.
Final Result:
Konkan Stars(Winners):
Dorothy Quadors(Captain), Wilma Dsouza, Dolly Lobo, Susan Rodrigues, Anitha Rebimbus, Florida Silva, Stephany Lobo, Leena Lobo, Freeda Lazarus, Geetha Kumari, Anitha Pinto, Divya Menon
Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC) (First Runners Up):
Lily Dsouza (Captain), Amitha Dsouza, Thelma Dsouza, Clara Castelino, Joanne Rodricks, Sumalatha Ashok, Judith Dsouza, Deena Shingare, Flavia Fernandes, Thresya Varghese, Maria Dsouza, Queenie Pereira
Tulu Koota(Second Runners Up):
Sudha Shetty (Captain), Shobha Shetty, Sarita Shetty, Milan Arun, Bharathi Shetty, Vani Prakash, Veena Rao, Jyothi Shetty, Vijaya Shetty, Usha Shetty, Akshatha Hegde, Shalini