Annual Cricket Tournament of Mangalore Balaga – Sohar
by Clarence Pinto
Pics Raizen D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network
Sohar, Oman, Oct 30: The Mangaloreans living and working around Sohar and its surrounding Batinah Ragion had a great opportunity to spend a day of fun and entertainment by participating in Sohar Cricket Tournament at Al Arabi Grounds – opposite Safeer Centre - Sohar.
The program commenced at 2.30 p.m. with gathering of the cricket enthusiasts and players at the main entrance of the grounds. K. N. Sudhir anchored the program and welcomed the audience. He gave brief profiles of all committee members of Mangalore Balaga. He also introduced the new president of Mangalore Balaga – Richard D Souza, a dynamic leader and community activist for the last few years in the region.
Richard D Souza in his welcome speech thanked all the supporters and sponsors for their wholehearted support. He also narrated the progressive plans outlined for the balaga and its members in the coming year.
The official inauguration of the tournament conducted by Mrs. Jane & Mr. Richard D souza by cutting the ribbon. Opening batting was done by Richard D Souza and bowling was carried out by Prakash Rai – General Secretary of the Balaga.
There were eight teams in the tournament and they are :
1. Asrar Friends Team A
2. Asrar Friends Team B
3. Royal Friends Sohar
4. Mangalore Friends Sohar
5. Namma Kudla
6. Attackers Sohar
7. S.T.S. Sohar
8. Sannaya Friends.
After the initial rounds of matches, the first semifinal match was held between Asrar Friends Team B and Mangalore Friends and the second match was held Asrar Friends Team A and Namma Kudla. In the interesting final match, Mangalore Friends led by Sudhir Naik beat Namma Kudla by 112 runs and won the trophy.
There were awards for various categories and trophies were presented. The award for the highest number of sixers in the final match, sponsored by Richard D Souza – Bajpe ( Shinas), was gone to Nitin Karkera and Sudhir Nayak both of Mangalore Friends team. The award for the highest number of wickets taken in the final match, sponsored by Lancy Lobo – Bondel (Shinas) was presented to Mohan of Mangalore friends. The prestigious match of the match award, sponsored by Frank Lobo – Liwa, was presented to Nitin Karkera for his overall match performance.
The tournament coordinators were Shaju Achar and Manjunath Rao. The umpires for the tournament were K. N. Sudir, Krishnaprasad, Naveen D Souza and Nagesh Achar. The scores were tabulated by Prakash Rai where as the commentators were Nithin Salian in English and Mangunath Rao in Tulu and Kannada.
The prize distribution ceremony, compered by Manjunath Rao, was held at the end of the tournament. The trophies and medals to the winners were presented by Frank Lobo – past president of Mangalore Balaga and a dynamic social activist of the region, Richard D Souza, Prakash Rai, K N Sudhir, Krishnaprasad and Narayan Kotian – immediate past president of the Balaga.
During the ceremony, Nehal Kotian, son of Sudhir Kotian was felicitated for his success in the recently conducted badminton tournament by Indian Social Club – Sohar. Nehal had won the first prize in the 14 to 18 years category. Sudhir Kotian received the trophy on behalf of his father.
Richard D Souza proposed vote of thanks and expressed his gratitude for the generous support by all the members and well wishers. He also announced the forthcoming annual program of Balaga on first day of Eid in November 2010 and urged all the members to attend in large numbers.
There were entertaining throwball matches for ladies and children in the flood light and everyone enjoyed the same. At the end sumptuous dinner was served by the Balaga members.
The sponsors of the tournament were Richard Dsouza – Shinas, Frank Lobo – Liwa, Narayan Kotian – Gadhafan, Umesh Poojari – Gadhafan. Jagadish Kotian – Asrar, Vittal Poojari – Asrar, Tharnath- Asrar, Bisnoi – Sanaiya, Harichandra – Sanaiya and Ronald Mascarenhas - Dubai