Media Release
Bahrain, Aug 19: The Indian Club Bahrain grounds were buzzing with cricket paraphernalia on Monday, August 12, 2019, (2nd day of Eid) from 5.30 am onwards to the late hours of the day. Over 22 cricket teams, each 7-a-side participating, from the Sacred Heart Church Parish Community, vying for the prestigious Monthi Fest 2019 trophy. It was hectic activity on the ground with cricketers from each team bowling, batting and fielding with gusto notwithstanding the heat and humidity of the day, with all the cricket expertise they could gather to win the trophy displayed majestically on the podium.
The day long tournament comprised of 31 matches played on a knock-out basis at the Indian Club grounds. The matches between teams included 6 losers matches, 8 pre-quarters, 4 quarterfinals, 2 semifinals and the grand finale match between the Sacred Heart Team and the defending Champions, Namma Kudla B Team. The audience was engrossed with continuous enthusiastic noisy participation laced all along by the cryptic and humorous running commentary from the commentators at the cricket table box. The screams of joy and applause from the audience for the fours and sixers that came off the batsmen and the wonderful bowling from the bowlers showed the keen interest taken by a cross-section of the parish community with so much fun and entertainment for everyone. With breakfast and a sumptuous biryani lunch, it was a comprehensive cricket package of fun for everyone with the Indian Club ground ambience.
The event was organized by the Konkani community of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bahrain led by its spiritual director Fr Darel Fernandes and Convenor Henry Castelino. The Indian Club provided their open-air grounds facilities for the tournament.
The Cricket teams that participated the 7-a-side tournament, at random order, were:
Seven Star
Mangalore Challengers
Zinj Friends A
Zinj Friends B
Karami Strickers A
Karami Strickers B
Urdu Community
Bellevision
Konkani Stars
Mangalore Warriors
Tamil Community
Karnataka Social Club
United Mangalore
Star Cricketers
United Seven
Shining Star
Sacred Heart Team
Titans
Santhekatte Friends
BMMI
Namma Kudla A
Namma Kudla B
The results of the Tournament:
Winners of the Monthi Fest trophy: Sacred Heart Team
Runners-Up Trophy: Namma Kudla B Team
Man of the series: Vivinjith D'Souza (Namma Kudla B Team)
Man of the Match: Richard Lobo (Sacred Heart Team)
Best Bowler of the Tournament: Vivinjith D'Souza (Namma Kudla B Team)
Best Batsman of the Tournament: Richard Lobo (Sacred Heart Team)
The Tournament was graced by visiting priest, Fr Savio, Indian Club vice president, and other parish community dignitaries and well-wishers. The responsibility of the eventfully memorable tournament was taken by Gilbert Sequeira, Kiran D’Souza & Team.
Trophies and Medals were distributed to the winning and runners-up team as well as those who won the individual best performances. Sharmila D’Souza hosted the closing ceremony.
Thanks to the sporting efforts of the Konkani community organizers who were on their feet to ensure every single aspect of the event were smoothly conducted and the Indian Club for their immense generosity that made it possible to hold the event with precision, vibrancy, cricketing din, and décor to conclude another memorable eventful day-long cricket tournament.