Doha: Tulu Koota Qatar reign supreme at MCC Throwball Tourney
Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
Pics: Kiran Vas
Doha, Nov 2: Champions are the ones who hold on to their nerves even when they are in hot waters and come out with flying colours despite having their backs against the wall most of the times. The ladies and men's throwball teams of Tulu Koota Qatar proved that they are the real champions as they defeated their opponent and reigned supreme at the 12th Ladies and Inaugural Men’s Throwball Tournament organized by Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC) at the old Ideal Indian School grounds here on Friday November 1 evening.
Men's final was played between Tulu Koota and Karnataka Sangha Qatar and ladies Finals was between Tulu Koota and MCC.
The ladies finals between bitter rivals MCC and Tulu Koota Qatar went down to the wire as expected and the latter overcame a spirited challenge from MCC to be crowned champions for the 6th time. The thrilling finals will be not be easily forgotten by the MCC team as they were close to winning with a lead in the third set and yet missed the chance to retain the Champions Trophy. The finals proves that it was by far the toughest match between two equally good teams that matched each other in every department and tested all players strength with long rallies in midst of the cheering and excited crowd. The ladies final match score was TKQ/MCC - 27/29 , 25/12, 15/10.
Despite being defeated by MCC in the league stage in straight sets and trailing by a set and playing against the host team that had immense fan following in the final, Tulu Koota ladies team led impressively by Vijaya Shetty played great on big points and emerged as champions.
Tulu Koota Mmens team led by Ravi Shetty played a champion’s game with the support of boisterous crowd that cheered, danced and rejoiced at each point. and men’s final match score was TKQ/KSQ - 25/16, 25/18. Men’s throwball tournament was conducted on a knock-out basis. Matches were played between TKQ Vs MCC, KSQ Vs AMC and AKC played against the winners KSQ and KSQ fought it out and reached to the finals against TKQ. It was the ample proof for the tough contest that decided the winner despite equally tough teams.
The annual tourney, one of the most popular events among the Mangalorean community in Qatar was inaugurated on Thursday October 31 evening after MCC president Sunil D'Silva had welcomed the gathering. MCC sports secretary John Britto then introduced the eight ladies teams - Al Khor Community, Al Maha Club, Karavali Veterans, Karavali Juniors, World of Women(WOW), Karnataka Sangha Qatar (KSQ), Tulu Koota Qatar (TKQ) and the host MCC; and men's team - Tulu Koota Qatar, Karnataka Sangha Qatar, Al Maha Club, Al Khor Community and host MCC Team.
The match officials, team captains and managers on behalf of their teams then participated in the oath-taking ceremony conducted by sports secretary John Britto before the inaugural matches between Tulu Koota Qatar and Karavali Veterans (court 1) and MCC and Al Maha Club (court 2).
The valedictory ceremony was presided over by president Sunil D’Silva and was attended by chief guest P S Sasi Kumar, chief of mission, Indian embassy, main sponsor Alfred Sequiera of Gulf International Enterprises, Allen Currie, finance director of Qatar Kentz, Farukh Sardar, General Manager of Mannai Air Travels joined by sports secretary John Britto on the dias. John Britto welcomed and thanked the participating teams for their true sportsmanship. The chief guest in his address was in full praise for MCC for conducting this tournament. He was impressed with the enthusiasm of the participating teams and was thrilled with the final matches. He emphasized that MCC is one of the active socio-cultural club in Doha and was in full praise for Karnataka people in the field of sports. Sana Britto was the compere. She then conducted the march past of all teams which was led by Joint Sports Secretary Winnie Saldanha leading all 13 teams to the front along with the loud cheering from the crowd. Joint secretary Ryan Renjar proposed the vote of thanks.
The participating team captains along with guests released balloons as a symbol of team spirit and peace. The guests then tossed the ball to the captains of the finalist teams declaring the final match open.
TKQ men's team was led by captain Ravi Shetty, Seetharam Shetty, Kiran Anand, Sukesh Suvarna, Shobith Shetty, Ramachandra Shetty, Arun Kotian, Nitesh D, Sahir, Sudhakar Shetty, Sujith Shetty, Sunil Bhandari, with Prakash Rao as team manager
KSQ men's team was led by captain Sanjay Kudri, Anil Kumar Boloor, Arun Kumar, Deepak Shetty, Tufail M Matheen, Shashi Kiran, Anil Devadiga, Rohit Shetty, Kaushik Rao, Nanda Kumar Shetty, Jawhar S and Yashpal Puthran.
TKQ ladies team led by captain Vijaya Shetty, Shobha Shetty, Bharthi Shetty, Akshaya Shetty, Aruna Shetty, Jeevitha Shetty, Padmashree Shetty, Akshatha Hegde, Jyothi Shetty, Vani Rao, Lilly D'Souza, Milan Arun and Preethi Shetty.
MCC ladies team led by captain Evette Quadros, Angela Dias, Sunitha Tellis, Mabel Almeida, Maria D'Souza, Thelma D'Souza, Winnie Saldanha, Premila D'Souza, Treesa Goveas, Sweetha D'Silva, Jesveena Mathias, Sunita D'Souza and Riana Pinto as team manager.
After the thrilling finals, the prize distribution ceremony was presided over by Alfred Sequeira, Aruna K , Jerald D’Mello, President Sunil D’Silva and Vice President Ronald Saldanha. John Britto honoured the match referees ,Lynel Jaison Lobo and Joseph Glary D’Souza for officiating all matches of the tournament with a memento. Referee Lynel then presented the Ladies Best smasher award to Angela Dias of MCC Team, Ladies Best Player award to Akshata Hegde of Tulukoota team and Best Fair play team to Al Khor Community Ladies team. Joseph D’Souza then presented the Men Best smasher award to Kiran Anand (TKQ), Men Best Player award to Sukesh Suvarna (TKQ) and Best Fair play team to Karnataka Sangha Qatar Team.
Sports secretary then presented all men’s team with participation certificates while Sunil D’Silva presented certificates to ladies team.
Aruna K presented the runners–up KSQ men’s team and Jerald D’Mello presented ladies runners-up MCC team with certificates and medals. Aruna K gifted the best 4 teams with gift vouchers.
Alfred Sequeira presented the winners both ladies and men Tulu koota Qatar team with certificates, medals, gifts and the trophy.
Gulf International Enterprises was the main sponsor while Qatar Kentz, Radisson Blu Hotel, Gulf Agency Co, M Pallonji Qatar, Mannai Air Travel, Beauty and Shapers Salon were the co-sponsors of this tournament. Henry D’Souza, Integral Services, Canara Jewellery, Dandy Juices, Lipton Tea and ATS Trading were the support sponsors.
The organizers thanked the team of volunteers in a special way for all the hard work put in for the success of the tournament. MCC also thanked the chief guest and other esteemed guests, the sponsors, the participating teams and their officials and all those who have helped in making this mega sporting event a grand success.