Daijiworld Media Network - Qatar (MSP)

Doha, May 26: The spirit of competition was witnessed in abundance at the MCC Trophies Competition organized at the Ashoka Hall of Indian Cultural Centre here on Friday May 23. A total of 90 participants aggressively competed for MCC trophies in various categories. There was competition in the air but not rivalry. Because, the environment was full of a feelings of brotherhod, togetherness, camaraderie and of a family get-together. This set apart the event from other competitions. 

The first part of the fourth annual talent competitions organized by Mangalore Cricket Club(MCC) for the Konkani speaking Mangalorean Catholic comunity, was of singing and it was a huge success, considering the number of participants and also those who came to cheer them up. The organizers, one of the oldest expatriate clubs in Qatar, who are in their 16th year of existence, must have been overwhelmed with happiness because of the fact that the elegant Ashoka Hall was overflowing with art lovers. The organizers as in the past, succeeded in providing a platform for the community members, particularly young ones, to showcase their talents and win laurels. The high quality of the competition succeeded in winning allround appreciation from the audience.

The programme started with a prayer folowed by the welcome speech delivered by the Club president, Norbert Corda. Culture secretary of the Club, Alwyn D'Souza spelt out the rules and regulations of the competition and introduced the judges. The programme, organized in the evening, started with instrumental solos for the children in the age group between 9 and 12 years of age, followed by the other group, between 13 and 18 years. Solo, duet and group singing competitions for various age groups ensued, with separate categories for male and female competitors.

The all-Mangalorean panel of eminent judges comprised of guitarist par excellence, Lancelot D'Souza, who has shared stages with such stalwarts as Alisha Chinai and Remo Fernandes and has performed  in more than a thousand commercial shows, Joyce Mascarenhas, the Usha Uthup of Qatar, the multi-linguistic singer who sings in Konkani, English, French, Arabic, Malayalam, Tamil and many other languages, Norbert Pereira, the Konkani composer and singer who has performed alongside such  superstars of Konkani stage as Wilfy Rebimbus, Henry D'Souza, Claud D'Souza and Melwin Peris and has released  three of his own Konkani albums  and the young , dashing and dynamic Rupesh D'Souza, who had represented Qatar in Zee TV's 'Saregamapa' reality music show and  is famous for his inimitable style of playing the keyboard and for his melodious voice. 

Jessy Fernandes, Mary Fernandes and Jessy Mendonca were the official time-keepers for the evening. Riana Pinto, joint secretary was the compere.

The winners of the evening were as follows:
 
Instrumental music : 9-12 yrs - 1. Merwick D'Souza, 2. Joanne Sequeira, 3. Elreena Pinto/Amilita Martis.
13-18 years : 1. Elton Selwyn Fernandes.

Singing: Solo for children upto 8 years of age - girls : 1. Adelyn D'Souza, 2. Priya Noronha, 3. Ceanna Aranha/Astra Pinto.
Boys: 1. Nevan D'Souza.

Singing Solo for children from 9 to 12 years - girls : 1. Crystal D'Souza, 2. Richelle Andrade, 3. Sweeny D'Silva.
Boys : Arnon Pinto.

Singing Solo for children between 13 and 18 years : 1. Sana Britto, 2. Rupal Aroza.

SingingChildren Group, 5-12 years: Alreena Pinto and Group comprising of Richelle Andrade, Nadine D'Souza, Jessica D'Souza, Crystal D'Souza, Amilita Martis and Joanne Sequeira.
13-18 years: 1. Sana Britto and group made up of Rupal Aroza and Vanessa Fernandez. 

Adults, female solo : 1. Sony Rodrigues, 2. Nina Fernandes, 3. Jovita Pereira.

Adults, male solo: 1. Vincent Fernandes, 2. Ronald Fernandes, 3. Josslyn D'Mello.

Adults duet: 1. Vincent and Nina Fernandes, 2. Thelma D'Souza and Rita Andrade, 3. Ronald Rodrigues and Wilma Pinto.

Adults group: 1. Ronald Rodrigues and group made of Laveena Rodrigues, Nina Fernandes, Vincent Fernandes,Sunita Lobo, Wilma Pinto and Frederick D'Souza.

The second and concluding part of the competitions for dance, fancy dress and skits, will be held at the same venue at 3.45 pm on Friday May 30.