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Doha, Nov 6: 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. MCC ladies throw-ball team proved that they are the real champions as they remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and reigned supreme to retain the title for the consecutive third time at the 15th Annual Ladies Open Throwball Tournament organized by Mangalore Cricket Club (MCC) held on November 3 and 4 at the Old Indian School grounds.

The annual tourney, one of the most popular events among the Mangalurean community in Qatar was inaugurated on Thursday November 3 evening with an welcome note from the MCC president Prakash Noronha to the gathering. MCC sports secretary Cyril D’souza introduced the five teams of the tournament being Al-Khor Community led by Kannika Shetty, Konkan Stars led by Wilma D’souza, Karnataka Sangha Qatar led by Shailaja Ranjith, Tulu Koota Qatar led by Vijaya Shetty and the host MCC team led by Indira Kunder.

Joint Sports secretary Naveen D’souza conducted the Oath-taking ceremony along with the match officials, team captains and managers on behalf of their teams. This was followed by the round robin league matches in which the 5 teams comprising Tulu Koota Qatar, Karnataka Sangha Qatar, Konkan Star, Al-Khor Community and the host team Mangalore Cricket Club which remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. Tulu Koota Qatar and Mangalore Cricket club qualified for the finals.

The finals played again this year between the bitter on-field rivals Tulu Koota team led by gusty Vijaya Shetty and defending champions MCC team led by feisty Indira Kunder, downed TKQ team where the latter overcame a spirited challenge from Tulu Koota to be crowned as throw-ball champions consecutive for 3rd year. The nail biting finals first set score between MCC and TQ was 25/13 and the 2nd set was 25/27. MCC ladies held on to their nerves till the very end to retain their Champions Trophy though both teams were equally good and matched each other in every department and tested all players strength with long rallies in midst of the cheering and excited crowd and ended with 15/11. Winning team captain Indira Kunder once again proved Best Captain among the all Special attraction of the evening were the cheer girls Vanessa Fernandes, Lara D’souza, Nikita Rego, Navitha Rego and Viola Monteiro who cheered the teams and the crowd with their beautiful dances to some good numbers choreographed by Jyothi D’souza and Prabha Rego.

Before the finals, in the official stage programme MCC President Prakash Noronha, and Sports secretary Cyril D’souza escorted the Chief guest Girish Kumar, President of Indian Cultural Association (ICC) , Main sponsor Alfred and Rita Sequeira of Gulf International Enterprises, Prestige Sponsor Franky Quadros, Proprietor of Al Amer Garage and Transport, Co-Sponsor Alan Currie, Finance Manager of SNC Lavalin, to the stage. They were greeted with flower bouquets by our tiny tots. March past was conducted wherein all the teams joined the grand march to the thunderous applaud of the audience.

President Prakash Noronha then delivered the presidential message welcoming the guests, teams and the gathering with a message to uphold the sportsmanship values. Chief Guest Girish Kumar in his address note thanked MCC for conducting this tournament for the past 15 years and congratulated all the teams for their participation in this sports event and wished the best for the finalist teams.

All the teams were honoured by the Chief Guest Girish Kumar with a memento for their participation, President then honoured the Main and Prestige sponsors while the Co-Sponsors were honoured by with a memento.

Main Sponsor Alfred & Rita Sequeira of Gulf international Enterprises were specially honoured for being the patron and main Sponsor continuously for all 15 editions of MCC Annual Open ladies throw-ball Tournament honoured with a shawl & memento and a fruit basket.

Joint Sports Secretary Naveen D’souza then proposed the vote of thanks. The participating team captains along with guests released balloons as a symbol of team spirit and peace. The team captains then introduced their team players to the guests and Chief Guest Girish Kumar and Main Sponsor Rita Sequeira tossed the ball to the captains declaring the final match open.

After the thrilling finals, the prize distribution ceremony was presided over by main sponsor Alfred and Rita Sequeira, Prestige Sponsor Franky Quadros and the President Prakash Noronha. Cyril D’souza honoured the match referee Lynel Jaison Lobo for officiating all matches of the tournament with a memento. Richard D’souza presented the best smasher award to Angela Dias of MCC Team, KSQ President H.K Madhu presented best all rounder award to Swetha Shetty, TKQ President Ravi Shetty presented the best catcher to Suma Mahesh of MCC. Best Fair play team was awarded to Konkan Star Team.

Rita Sequeira presented the medals, certificates and trophy to Runners–up Tulu Koota team and Prakash Noronha presented the Winners MCC team with medals and certificates.

Alfred Sequeira presented the Champions trophy to the reigning champions MCC team.

MCC Team :

Indira Kunder - Captain, Angela Antony, Mable Pereira, Maria D’Souza, Winnie Saldanha, Sunitha Tellis, Suma Mahesh, ,Aarti Fernandes, Siji Sunny, Treesa Goveas, Sunita D’Souza, Ashik Linda Lobo, Delita D’Souza, Sharon Lobo and Team Manager Riana Pinto. Team Coach Alexis Castelino.

It is noteworthy that Indira Kunder was the captain of the team in all the three consecutive victories.

Tulukoota Team:

Vijaya Shetty - Captain, Shobha Shetty, Akshaya Shetty, Bharathi Shetty, Vani Prakash Rao, Jyothi Shetty, Shilpa Shetty, Reshma Sunil, Padmashree Shetty, Chandrakala Shetty, Praveena Shetty, Swetha Shetty, Aruna Shetty, Preethi Shetty and Team Coach : Prakash Rao.

The stage programme was well conducted by the young and energetic Wilma D’souza.

The sports officials were John Britto and Vincent Mendonca as the rotation officers, Ryan Renjar, Arun D’Souza, Vijay D’Souza and Errol as the linesmen. The commentators desk was managed by Mishal Lovely Lobo, Mahesh Prabhu, Abdul Salam, while the scoreboard was managed by Jessy Mendonca & Dephny Lobo and the registration desk was handled by Vanessa Saldanha.

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.

MCC thanks its sponsors Main Sponsor - Alfred & Rita Sequeira - Gulf international Enterprises, Prestige Sponsor: Francis Quadros - Al Amer Garage & Transport and Jerald D’Mello - J & J Infrastructure. Co-Sponsors: Alan Currie - SNC Lavalin
Wilfred Fernandes - Radisson Blu and Doha Bank.

Other Sponsors: Advanced Technical service (Ravi Shetty) ,Euro Parts (Abdulla Monu), Integral Food Services (William Aranha), Golden trading & Decoration (Asmath Ali), Wing International Trading and Contracting, Canara Jewellers, Bombay Silk Centre, Akshaya Jewellers, Oxy Print house, Integral Uniform, Intermodel Service Company, DHL Qatar, Dandy Ice cream.

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