Dubai : Saifah Friends, Mangalore Konkans Win Karaval Tourney
Pics by Jovin D'Souza Pangla / Ashok Belman , Gulf Kannadiga
Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Feb 14: The 10th anniversary sport's meet of "Karaval Milan" held at the "Sharjah Wanderers" was an outstanding success in terms of excitement, quality of the games played , organizational skills of the organizers and the support of all the sponsors.
Saifah Friends regarded as the dark horses lived up to their billing and dethroned last year champions "Ace Spikers" in the closest finals in living memory with the scoreline being 12-25, 25-20 & 25-23.
In the women's finals "Mangalore Konkans" created an unprecedented sweep of all the titles in this season by edging Bunts Dubai in a close final 15-12,15-14 and completing their Grand Slam.
The tournament got off to a bright start with a welcome speech by Ms. Janet Sequeira followed by the lighting of the flame by Mr Alfred D Souza ,Managing Director CAB Real Estate a well known personality of UAE, a successful business man with a big heart to support charity related causes.
The oath taking on behalf of the athletes was undertaken by Wilson D'Sa concluding with the encouraging words to all the participants, who also lead the host volleyball team to the semi final.
Alfred D'Souza of "CAB Real Estate" declared the meet open.
Joseph Mathias of "Merit Freight Systems L.L.C." inaugurated the women's Throwball.
The men's volleyball tournament was inaugurated by Lancy Madtha of Integrated Freight Systems LLC and Alfred D'souza of "CAB Real Estate"
The tournament got wings and glamour , courtesy the entry of the "Red Bulls" team who came in their unique "Red Bull" Beetle Car and distributed free Red Bull to invigorate all.
Karaval Milan's innovative game of the season having a mixed throwball tournament turned out to be a roaring success.
The crowds lapped it up and cheered every point with mesmerizing kannada commentary from Melwyn Lewis. As Gilbert Aranha and Ronald Nazareth kept audiences and teams well informed by their regular updates on games, Mr Sudhakar, Alva, match referee, with the assistance of Melwyn D'Souza and Satish Shetty made sure all the games conducted smoothly. Special medical services under the supervision of Gretta D Souza was appreciated by all the teams. The overall supervision and arrangements by Noel D Almeida and Rajan Lewis were praiseworthy.
"Solar Power thunder-ball" pipped "CAB fireball" to emerge as the Mixed Throwball Champion.
In the evening a gala closing ceremony was held on schedule. Karaval Milan Vice president Nanu Marol Thottam welcomed the gathering. President Eric D Souza and Secretary Pius James D Souza honoured the guests with floral bouquets. Alfred D Souza has distributed the Runner Up trophy and Indivisual Trophies to Bunts Dubai and Mrs Juliana Fernandes on behalf of Oliver D Mello – Managing Director Al Munasib Building Materials who has sponsored the Throwball Tournament on behalf of his mother Late Mrs Santhan D Mello has done the honours along with cash prize to the Winners Mangalore Konkans.
Individual titles handed to Irene Quadros of Mangalore Konkans as Best Smasher , Nancy Quadros of Mangalore Konkans as Best Defender , Latha Shetty of Bunts Dubai as Best Allrounder and Sneha Poojary of Jashan Dubai as Best Fair Play Lady, Best Disciplined Team award bagged by United Stars Dubai .
In Volleyball section Joseph Mathias did the honours to Runners Up Ace Spikers and Lancy D Souza gave away the Winning Trophy , individual medals and cash prizes to Winners Saifah Friends. Individual titles awarded to Dheeraj Bangera of Ace Spikers as Best All Rounder , Deepak Shetty of Karaval Milan (B) as Best Spiker , Sarfraz (Sr) of Saifah Friends as Best Lifter and Shamsudheen is nominated for Best Fair play award. Best Disciplined team in Volleyball claimed by St Lawrence.
Lancy D Souza ,Managing Director of Solar Power Automobiles did the honours for mixed throwball winning team ‘Solar Power thunderball ’ and Alfred D Souza to the runners up ‘CAB Fireball’. Best Player in women won by Reshma D Cruz and in men won by Anand Menezes.
Tasty traditional Mangalorean fare was served to one and all by "Canara Restaurant'.
Children were not left out and had their own dedicated games well organized by Surprise Desert Santa's Roland and Stanly by sponsoring the gifts, all witnessed winners receiving the spoils.
The thanksgiving speech was given by the secretary James Pius who thanked all the Main Sponsors, the support Sponsors, Daijiworld for the media coverage, Radios Spice 105.4 FM for their radio coverage, Nama TV, the volunteers led by the President Eric D'souza and last but not the least the participants who played fair and fought hard for every point.
The programme was compered by Rony Baindoor and Janette Sequeira