Media Release
Kuwait, Mar 9: Affiliated to Indian Embassy Kuwait, is the community welfare association of non-resident Mogaveera’s based in Kuwait. For the ninth time MAK organized, the national level volleyball & throwball tournament under the title of ‘MAK Champion Trophy 2025’ on February 25. The tournament was held at Aspire Indian International School, Jleeb Al Shuoukh, Kuwait.
The tournament coincided with the celebration of National Day of Kuwait. The weather was pleasant, the participants and the MAK members were all geared up for the tournament.
The long day tournament commenced with the grand opening ceremony headed by Suresh Salian. On behalf of MAK management committee Kavitha Kidiyoor, the host for the day welcomed gathering, which was followed by Kuwait & Indian national anthems.
The opening ceremony started off with the guest and the management committee. The medals and trophies of the tournament were unveiled by sports secretary Amruthraj Suvarna, Jaya Kotian along with guest and MAK management. Nurses Vinitha Nisha D’Souza and Pauline Benedicta Mendes were honored for their humanitarian services towards the society by the MAK management.
The chief guest of the day, Kaizar Shakir is the director and chief financial officer of Dar Gulf Consult of engineering consultancy. Next guest for the tournament, Dr Surendra Nayak is working as consultant, histopathology at maternity Al Sabha Hospital- ministry of health, since 2002.
Devdas Kapikad who is also known as “Telikeda Bolli” a Tulu film and theatre actor, director, writer, producer, lyricist and singer, was in Kuwait and also graced the event with his appreciating words along with Abdul Razak, former president of Tulu Koota.
The other guest for the day were Raj Bhandary, president, BPP Karnataka wing Kuwait, Shankar Shetty, president, Tulukoota, Amarnath Suvarna, president of Billava Sangha Kuwait, Vijay Kairangala, advisor, BPP, Harish Shetty, manager, Shahi Tandoori, Sowmya Prabhu and Nirmala Machado, managers from Visions Direct Logistics Co and Sushma Manoj, former president, Billava Sangha, Yadunath Alva, former president, Bantara Sangha along with his wife Shalini Yadunath Alva, Wilson D’Souza, former president, Tulu Koota, Tharendra Shettigar, president of Kannada Koota Kuwait, Preethi Shetty, vice president, Kannada Koota, Savinay, vice president, BPP, Bharath Shettigar, convenor, BPP, Rajesh Hegde, welfare convenor, BPP, Srinath Prabhu, cultural secretary, Tulu Koota, Jagadeeshwar Shanbouge, general secretary, Tulu Koota and Madhav Naik, TPI president.
The guest conveyed their best wishes and good luck to the participating teams and organizers. Poonam Mendon, president of MAK, in her speech, welcomed the gathering, stressed the importance of playing with true sportsman sprit. She also thanked all the teams for their support as this event is done for MAK welfare projects.
Convenor Ramesh Kidiyoor wished all teams and announced the opening of the tournament.
The president of MAK, management committee along with the chief guests inaugurated the volley ball and throwball court by serving the ball.
The participating volleyball teams were as below:
(1) Tamil Tigers (2) Volley Lovers (3) BPP Friends (4) Saja Volleys (5) Bayan Salmiya
The participating throwball teams were as below:
(1) Kuwait Konkans - A (2) Kuwait Konkans- B (3) Panthers (4) Power Stars (5) Dragon Queens (6) Queens Ayansh (7) Alfa (8) Skyhawks (9) Super Smashers (10) G G Titans (11) Vaigai.
The volley ball inaugural first round match started between Volley Lovers & BPP Friends, the first round of throwball inaugural match was between Skyhawks and Kuwait Konkans A. The teams played with full enthusiasm, and viewers enjoyed and experienced the spectacular show. As the day progressed matches kept rolling one after another.
The main sponsors of the event were: Vision Direct Logistics Services Company, Shahi Thandoori Restaurant-Hawally.
The referees for volley ball were Alexander Mathew & Abilash Mathew.
The referees for throwball were Seema Miranda & Dr T Ramesh Kumar.
The scorers for throwball teams were Kavitha Kidiyoor , Guna Chethan , Smitha Lakshmish & Dr Rani Vikyath. The announcements were done by Girish Mehta.
The scorers for volleyball teams were Santhosh Kunder, Rakshith, Chethan, Rajesh.
The announcements were done by Santhosh Kunder & Siraj.
Sumptuous breakfast, lunch, & snacks was provided by China Metro.
Beautiful moments of the day were captured by Calvin D’Souza.
Sound system and wonderful back ground music by Kiran Kumar.
Winners
In spite of the drastic weather conditions the volleyball ended with the final match between Bayan Salmiya & Saja Group. After a tough battle between the two strong teams, Saja Group bagged the winner’s trophy & Bayan Salmiya were declared the first runner up. The second runners up trophy was won by Tamil Tigers. MAK player of the tournament for volleyball was secured by Vibin from Saja Group.
On the other hand, throwball tournament ended with the final match between Queen Ayansh & Alfa. Queen Ayansh bagged the winner’s trophy. First runners up were won by Alfa and Kuwait Konkans A stood up as the second runners. MAK player of the tournament for throwball was secured by Vinita Nisha D’Souza from Queen Ayansh.
Prize distribution ceremony:
The MAK Management members along with guest awarded the trophies & medals to winners, whereas the MAK members gave away the trophies & medals to runners up teams and individual achievers.
A raffle draw was conducted by MAK & the winners are as below
1st prize: Deeksha
2nd Prize: Ishani Kunder
3rd prize: S Dawood Ali
The 10 consolation prize winners were- Mahadev, Baskar Amin, Calvin D’Souza, Sunish C S , Chaturvi, Ishani Kunder, Sunil Kunder ,Shithil Hegde ,Sudesh P, Harish .
During the vote of thanks, general secretary Smitha Lakshmish Kumar thanked each and every one who were responsible for the success of the tournament, participants, sponsors, organizers, MAK volunteer, MAK management committee and executive committee. Finally, a special thanks was given to the management and staff of ASPIRE Bilingual School for the awesome venue.