Media Release

Bangalore, Jun 6: The Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations (FKCA) hosted their annual sports meet "Mangalore Maza 2011" for their member associations on Sunday, June 5.

The event was organized at the sprawling sports complex of St John's Medical College at Koramangala, Bangalore. The inaugural function was graced by chief guest R L Patil, former joint director (training) of the department of youth services and sports, government of Karnataka and the guest of honour Fr Lawrence D'Souza, director of St John's Medical College, Bangalore.

FKCA chairman Valerian Fernandes welcomed the chief guests and the gathering. The match referees were then called on to the stage and honoured with bouquets. Chief sponsor of the event Hyundai Automobiles was also honoured.

In his speech the chief guest commended the work of the Konkani Catholic community under the banner of FKCA in organizing such a sports event for the like-minded people of the community. FKCA secretary Philomena Pereira proposed the vote of thanks.

Leora Saldanha, a rising sports star was the torch bearer of the event and the chief guest lit the torch to declare the event open. All the presidents came forward and the people present took a solemn oath to participate with a sporting spirit and play a fair game. Later the guests and the FKCA office-bearers where introduced to the teams.

After breakfast, the event took off with two matches of cricket for men played simultaneously on two grounds and the women's throwball game played in the adjacent court. Later the registrations for the individual and inter-association games were opened. The games were conducted for people of all ages and gender, which included picking of chocolates for kids below 3 ft, bursting and blowing the balloons, hopping race, sack race, obstacle race, balancing the ball, lemon-n-spoon race, necklace 100 m running race, 50 m running race, and 25 m walking race for the over-60s. Inter-association games included cricket, throwball, bangle relay and 100m race. Couples had brick-walk, hopping race and carrying-the-bride. Mangalorean style food was available at the venue.

10 associations had fielded their teams into the women's throw-ball game and in the finals it was the defending champions Konkani Catholic Association Bangalore (KONCAB) pitted against the Konkani Kutamb, Indiranagar Bangalore. The fine play of KONCAB ladies won them the winners trophy this year too.

Eleven associations fielded their teams in the men's cricket match. In the final match the defending champions Konkani Catholic Association Bangalore (KONCAB) were equally poised with their opponents Konkani Catholic Welfare Association, RT Nagar-Bangalore (KCWA) until the last ball of the match, but the discipline and the calm nerves of KONCAB made them the victors by winning the match by 2 runs.

Prizes were given away to the winners in the ceremony held in late evening. The unstoppable Sezari association of Bommanahalli Bangalore topped the points chart with 49 points in the overall games and snatched away the FKCA Mangalore Maza Champion’s Trophy. FKCA sports secretary Lionel D'Souza compered the event and thanked all the volunteers and participants for making the sport meet a success. After the prize distribution all the people departed from the venue with their heart content from the memorable day.