Media Release

Bahrain, Sep 1: The Indian Club Bahrain grounds was buzzing with cricket paraphernalia on Friday August 26, from the evening onwards to the late hours of the day with 18 cricket Teams, each 7-a-side participating, from the Sacred Heart Church parish community, vying for the prestigious Monthi Fest 2022 Trophy. It was hectic activity on the ground with cricketeers from each team bowling, batting and fielding with gusto notwithstanding the heat and humidity of the day, with all the cricket expertise they could gather to covet the trophy which was majestically displayed on the podium and seemed so close to snatch. 

The day long tournament comprised of 28 matches played on a knock-out basis at the Indian Club grounds. The matches between teams included 5 losers matches, 8 pre-quarters, 4 quarterfinals, 2 semifinals and the grand finale match between the Namma Kudla A Team and the defending champions, Sacred Heart Boys Team. The audience were engrossed with continuous enthusiastic noisy participation laced all along by the cryptic and humorous running commentary from the commentators at the cricket table box. The screams of joy and applause from the audience for the fours and sixers that came off the batsmen and wonderful bowling from the bowlers, showed the keen interest taken by a cross section of the parish community with so much fun and entertainment for everyone! With breakfast, it was a comprehensive cricket package of fun for everyone with the Indian Club Ground ambience. The event was organised by the Konkani community of Sacred Heart Church parish led by its spiritual director Fr Darel Fernandes and convenor Henry Castelino. The Indian Club provided their open-air grounds facilities for the tournament.

The results of the Tournament:
Winners of the Monthi fest Trophy: Namma Kudla A-Team
Runners-Up Trophy: Sacred Heart Boys Team
Man of the series: Binu (Sacred Heart Boys Team)
Best Bowler of the Tournament: Glen Dsouza (Namma Kudla A Team)
Best Batsman of the Tournament: Vivian Rodrigues (Namma Kudla A Team)
Best All-rounder: Richard (Sacred Heart Boys Team)

The tournament was graced by Fr Darel Fernandes, Indian Club president, general secretary and other parish community dignitaries and well-wishers. The main organisers of the eventfully memorable tournament were Sujay Pinto, Remi Pinto and Gilbert Sequeira.

Vilcita Barboza, member of Bahrain national women’s cricket was the chief guest for the closing prize distribution ceremony. Trophies and medals were distributed to winning and runners-up team as well as those who won the individual best performances. Anand Lobo hosted the closing ceremony.

Thanks to the sporting efforts of the Konkani community organisers who were on their feet to ensure every single aspect of the event was smoothly conducted and the Indian Club for their immense generosity that made it possible to hold the event with precision, vibrancy, cricketing din and décor to conclude another memorable eventful day-long cricket tournament.