Report: Vijai Dcunha (Muscat/G-kere)
Pics: Joachim D’Souza
Muscat, Feb 18: The much-awaited fun filled community day ‘Mangalorean Milan’, was celebrated by the Mangalore Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP), Sultanate of Oman at the Muscat Sports Club Grounds, Al Wadi Al Kabir, here amidst gaiety, pomp and community spirit.
Pleasant weather prevailed at the Muscat Sports Club Ground, setting the right atmosphere for the entire day's outdoor family event. As the members entered, they were served delicious Mangalurean ‘buns’ and ‘Sajjige Pov’ for breakfast. Registration for the event commenced as early as 9 am. At the registration counters, the community members were divided into six teams with each member given different colored ribbons to identify their respective teams. This entire process was well managed by internal auditor Vijai Dcunha and his team consisting of Molly Pinto, Linda D’Souza, Rinet Menezes and Priya Menezes.
The programme began with a welcome note by the vice president, C S Naveen Mascarenhas. All the executive committee members on stage and spiritual secretary Philomena Saldanha recited prayers invoking God’s blessing for the success of the event. The programme was then officially inaugurated by chief guest Dilip Correa, community
leader and erstwhile MCCP president, who briefly spoke about the community's binding efforts for MCCP through like events and appreciated the efforts put forth by the current executive committee – Team 26.
President Sunil Furtado along with Dilip Correa and the entire executive committee then released a white dove into the sky as a symbol of peace and unity, welcomed the gathering and appreciated the efforts of all. He exhorted all the members to enthusiastically participate in all the games and make the event a success.
Dolly Gomes, a well-known sports enthusiast of Muscat along with community services secretary Suneel (Sam) Menezes skillfully anchored the day’s two main contests namely, men’s volleyball and women’s throwball. She was supported by referees Gowtham Raj and Chandrakant, scorers Shawn Monteiro, Preneta Vunilda Monteiro and Henry Rodrigues and commentator Brian Currie.
The competitions began with men’s volleyball in which four teams competed against each other. The four teams were led by Suneel (Sam) Menezes, Terence D’Souza, Naveen Mascarenhas and Michael Goveas. The matches were intense with lead fluctuating between the competing sides.
The trophy was won by the team led by Terence D’Souza and players Jason Cardoza, Stephan Monteiro, Rajesh D’Costa, Joseph D’Souza, Naveen Braganza and Valerian Lewis.
The first runner-up was the team led by Michael Goveas and players being Glen, Shawn Monteiro, Praveen Monteiro, Wilfred Castelino, Arun and Lancy Saldanha.
The second runner-up was the team led by Suneel (Sam) Menezes and players being Brian Currie, Eugene Sequeira, Paul D’Souza, Vincent D’Costa, Rajesh Mascarenhas and Hancy.
Best player award went to Jason Cardoza.
The most eagerly awaited women’s throwball was the next event. Once again four teams were formed under the captaincies of Jane Castelino, Philomena Saldanha, Molly Pinto and Rinet Menezes. The teams were engaged in stiff competition with each other in a league type format.
The cup was won by the team led by Molly Pinto the players being Jessy Pereira, Reena D’Souza, Nancy D’Souza, Reshma Rebello, Philomena Mendonca, Priya Menezes and Laveena Menezes.
Runner-up team was led by Jane Castelino the players being Anita Lobo, Priya Quadros, Lenny D’Souza, Flavy Fernandes, Brina Pinto, Jesline Pinto, and Agnes Picardo.
Best Player award was given to Jessie Pereira.
Between the matches, sports secretary Terence D’Souza conducted spot games for the audience. Jason Cardoza, Rajesh D’Costa and Herlene Pinto grabbed prizes.
Cultural secretary Dynet Fernandes along with general secretary Jane Castelino and Philomena Saldanha conducted games for the children grouped into four teams.
The children participated with tremendous enthusiasm in Relay Race, Stepping Stones, Cup Pyramid Race, Four leg race and several others. The winners were from the group named 'Chennai Super Kings’ with Andril as captain, Arren as vice captain and Johan, Anisha, Larissa, Sheldon, Lavisha, Sanya, Tanya and Astrida as members.
The event paused for a small lunchbreak with Dynet Fernandes invoking grace before meals. All were served delicious Chicken Biryani supplied and sponsored by one of the famous and well-known restaurants in Muscat 'Mughal Darbar’ (the new Arslan restaurant), which earned everyone's praise. Later, mouthwatering ‘Vorn’ sponsored by Edward and Philomena Mendonca and prepared by Ignatius Celine Lobo and family was served. Jason Cardoza, famously called DJ Jason entertained the crowd with popular Konkani, English and Hindi songs.
Post-lunch session began enthusiastically with a march past by the six teams namley ‘Mandas’, ‘Bakhryo’, ‘Panpole’, ‘Pathrade’, ‘Mutlin’ and ‘Patholyo’ with each team holding the respective group's coloured flag and a placard announcing their team’s name.
Later, Terence D’Souza in his jovial style conducted fun sports for the six groups who were graded by points. The games included bottle filling by sponge, walking with a stick between the legs, tyre throw, walking by batting the table tennis ball, stepping through baskets, ball to the stumps and finally, tug of War.
The day being on the eve of Valentine’s had a special game for the couples, wherein the skills of the lady were tested by dressing up her man as a woman. With twenty couples competing, it made the judges’ job very challenging. The best couple prizes were won by Shawn Monteiro followed by Anil Castelino and Pravin Pinto.
Before the prize distribution ceremony, honorary treasurer Francis Pinto delivered the vote of thanks and called all the event sponsors on stage. The president honoured them with a flower bouquet. Vijai Dcunha (Marmaul Hospitality Group), George Andrade (Sweets of Oman), Brinston Noronha (Al Mudhish), Flynn D’Lima (Al Hamadi), Edward and Philomena Mendonca, Lynel Lobo, Stanley Fernandes, Jessie Pereira, Prem Colaco, Sunil D’Sa, Wilfred and John Gonsalves were honoured for judging the Valentine’s Day message contest. Later, Naveen Mascarenhas and Terence D’Souza invited on stage all the winning teams and individual winners of the prizes, trophies and medals.
Winners of the crib competition (held during Christmas) were awarded prizes.
First prize was won by Jayson Jaideep
Second prize was shared between Megan D’Souza and Naveen-Suman Mathias
Third prize was won by Astrida D’Souza
Walter D’Souza and Fredrick were given consolation prizes.
Another pre-event contest was the Valentine’s Day message contest.
Tina Saldanha won the English language contest
Wilson Kinnigoli won the Konkani language contest
Both the winners regaled the audience by reciting winning poems written by them.
Throughout the evening, Mangalurean favourite ‘Golibaje’ and ‘Neerullibaje’ were served tea and coffee. Each and every moment of the day was thoroughly enjoyed by the whole Mangalurean community as it provided non-stop entertainment to all the participants. All the participants were handed goody bags containing several useful utility and food items sponsored by various well-wishers.
The event was sponsored by Mughal Darbar- The new Arslan Restaurant (courtesy Godwin), Marmul Hospitality Group-Travel, Holidays, Money Exchange, Real Estate and Hotel Golden Oasis (courtesy Vijai Dcunha), Ooredoo (courtesy Suneel Menezes), Bestline Printers (courtesy Suneel Menezes), Al Areej Vegetable Oils (courtesy Jessie Pereira), Sweets of Oman by George Andrade (courtesy Naveen Mascarehnas), Al Mudhish LLC by Brinston Noronha (courtesy Nirmala Goveas), National Detergent Co (courtesy Nirmala Goveas), Muscat Pharmacy (courtesy Clifford Castelino), Al Hamadi Enterpries by Flynn DLima (courtesy Stanley Fernandes), Pran Juice Company, Four Seasons (courtesy Sunil D’sa), Al Maya LLC (courtesy Thomas DSouza), Al Reef LLC (courtesy Thomas DSouza), Malabar Gold (courtesy Philomena Mendonca)and Al Nahda Resort & Spa (courtesy Prem Colaco).
Support was offered by Joachim D’Souza (photography), Udupi Home Restaurant (breakfast/snacks), Zezito (sound system), Saira D’Souza, Clifford Castelino, Nirmala Goveas, Deepak D’Souza, Yuvaraj (Kudla Cup) and Joylin Gonsalves (banner design).
The voluneers for the event were Sharon Alva, Ivan Milbarg, Praveen Monteiro, John Secundas, Robert Saldanha, Raja and Lancy Saldanha.
The sponsors for the year are:
Platinum sponsor: Muscat Golden Services LLC (Raphael D’Souza)
Gold sponsors: Omantel (courtesy Eula Pinto) and Technofit Trading LLC (Liguory and Margaret D’Mello)
Silver sponsors: Marmul Hospitality group of travels, Exchange & Hotel Golden Oasis (Mabel Pinto - courtesy Vijai D’Cunha), National Finance Company SAOG (Robert Pancras - courtesy Francis Pinto) Bronze sponsors: Sea Pearls LLC (Riyas - courtesy Francis Pinto), Prestige Projects and Engineering Supplies Co LLC (Denis Mascarenhas) and Zahrat Al Rawdha Trading (Raphael Quadras)