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Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai

Dubai, Nov 27: The 4th Asian Throwball Championship Tournament was hosted by Asian Throwball Federation, UAE Chapter on November 25 at the indoor grounds of Jumeirah Baccalaureate School, Jumeirah here with good sporting spirit, with 4 national teams participating from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and UAE Expats.

General secretary of Throwball Federation UAE chapter Denzil Fernandes welcomed all the participants and wished all the teams good luck. The tournament was officially inaugurated by Walter Nandalike, chief editor of Daijiworld, and after the inauguration Nandalike requested all the players to take the game in a sportsman spirit and also thanked the UAE federation for conducting such a wonderful event in UAE. Daya Kirodian, vice-president of Throwball Federation UAE Chapter honoured  Walter Nandalike with a memento.

T Ramanna, secretary general of Asian Throwball federation and international Throwball federation, C R Shetty, vice-president of International Throwball federation, Girish Shetty, president of Throwball federation UAE Chapter, Maqbool Ahmed, secretary general of Pakistan Throwball federation, Padma Rathna, secretary general of Sri Lankan Throwball federation, and the officials and technical members from all the 4 countries were present.

The international teams vied with each other to grab the 4th Asian Throwball championship. In the men’s section the Indians and Sri Lankans fought for the final and the fight between Indian men and Sri Lankan men was fantastic. They were one all in the best of three sets. The Indians relied on a breezy start but faced a few anxious moments in the dying moments before dramatically taking the lead in the final services of 25 points to win the championship. In the afternoon, lunch was served at the venue for all the teams and the spectators.

The final match between Indian and Sri Lankan women was witnessed by the chief guest M P Singh, consul from Indian Consulate in the presence of Sudhir Shetty, COO UAE Exchange and Prem Shetty, MD, Heat Shield Co. Even in this final match of 3 sets, both teams were one all, with only the last set left in the play. In the nail biting final set Sri Lankan women stopped Indian women at 23 points and won the 4th Asian Throwball championship.

The closing ceremony was held at the venue and Asian Throwball Federation UAE Chapter treasurer K R Tantry invited the president Girish Shetty, chief guest of the evening M P Singh, T Ramanna, Maqbool Ahmed, Padma Rathna, sponsors Pravin Shetty MD Fortune Group of Hotels, Shekar Shetty, MD, Arab Udupi group of restaurants to the dais. Throwball Federation UAE Chapter president Girish Shetty welcomed all the dignitaries and the international teams, officials, technical supporters, audience and thanked all the participant teams, host country committee members and sponsors for the success of the event. C R Shetty spoke and thanked all the subcontinent countries for participating in this tournament.

M P Singh spoke on the occasion and said that he was delighted to watch the final women's game, and enjoyed the cheers and support to their favourite teams. He thanked the Throwball Federation UAE Chapter for hosting and promoting the game in the Middle East.

M P Singh, T Ramanna, Pravin Shetty, Shekar Shetty, Maqbool Ahmed and Padma Rathna distributed the prizes which comprised medals, certficates and trophy. All the technical and officials from the participating country were honoured with mementos.

Iliyas, Roshan, Marina and Vasu Shetty were honoured with mementos for their technical support for the event.

Girish Shetty heartly thanked the sponsors UAE Exchange, Ramee group of hotels and resorts, Fortune group of hotels (a Praveen Shetty Enterprise), Arab Udupi group of restaurants, ACME building materials, Eurobase Trading, Ghantoot Building materials, Heat Shield company, Lama tours for providing transportation and Chilly Willy for providing energy drinks.

Daya Kirodian proposed the vote of thanks. He thanked all the officials, management of JBS School, NMC for providing first aid and para medical aid, sponsors, and thanked daijiworld and Gulf Kannadiga for supporting the event.

Host Country Federation Committee members Kushal Shetty, Manohar Hegde, Jayanth Shetty, Satish Shetty put their full efforts in making this event a success.

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