Muscat, Nov 23: The Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP) of Muscat, Oman conducted its Annual Sports Day with a fun-filled celebration that lifted the sporting spirit of the community to a new high. This most popular event of the year was conducted at the Muscat Sports Club, Wadi Kabir with a lot pomp and style to make it a huge success.

The executive committee did not leave any stone unturned to ensure all-round entertainment and non-stop action throughout the day for all the participants. Suraj Rebello and Dolly Gomes, the well-acclaimed duo who had conducted this event in the past, lived upto their reputation by connecting well with the all the present and getting them to participate actively in all the games throughout the day.

It was a day-long programme starting at 10 am with registration of the members for various sports categories followed by breakfast. The inauguration ceremony of the function was conducted by John Mathias, vice president – cultural, spiritual and community services. John Gonsalves, the president of MCCP, welcomed the chief guest of the day, Clifford Sanctis and Fr Alban D’Souza, who is visiting Oman was welcomed by Ophelia Lazarus, vice president-finance and sports. Clifford Sanctis is a reputed industrialist of Oman, especially well-known for his expertise in hydrotech engineering solutions. He has been one of the major benefactors of MCCP in all its activities for several years.

After the welcome address by the president, a few words of encouragement from the chief guest and invocation of God’s blessings on the event by Fr Alban, they formally inaugurated the function by cutting the ribbon.

Suraj Rebello then took the centre stage and introduced the day’s programme to a gathering of about 400 people. Dolly Gomes and Rebello, with the help of volunteers and committee members conducted cricket, throwball and volleyball tournaments. Cricket being the most popular sport with the highest number of participation, had four categories for competition, viz, children, ladies, men and seniors. Throwball generated a lot of interest among the ladies and led to strong competition between the teams. After the completion of cricket and throwball, men competed actively in volleyball. On the sidelines, children below 8 years were engaged in telegames to keep them involved in the proceedings.

The men’s cricket finals was the most awaited game and it lived upto its expectation with tough competition between Teams led by Sunil Furtado and John Mathais with Sunil Furtado’s team triumphing due to strong display of talent by Ashwin , Praveen, Prem Machado and others.

Despite the number of games which were conducted at quarter finals, Semi finals and Final levels, it is much to credit of the organisers that the entire programme could be completed well within the scheduled time. The finale was the much awaited prize distribution ceremony wherein the chief guest Clifford Sanctis accompanied by Lydia Sanctis gave away more than 150 gold and silver medals along with winners and runner-up trophies in each sports category.

Joyson Rodrigues, the sports secretary proposed a vote of thanks for all those who supported conducting this event successfully. John Gonsalves and Stanley Fernandes felicitated some of them for their strong support and help.

All those who were present thoroughly enjoyed the day including the lunch and snacks served during the day. In all, it was a day filled with joy and physical activity for the community members besides the rare chance to showcase their talent in outdoor sports. Humorous live commentary by Peter Fernandes, Praveen Niddodi, Brian Currie, Flavia D’souza and Russel D’souza kept the crowd entertained throughout the day. Henry Rodrigues was the official scorer. Andril Lobo, young DJ for the day supported by Lancy Lobo with his collection of popular Konkani and other music CDs, kept everyone at their toes, entertaining the long day. Gifts bags were distributed to all the children present.

The winners in various games were:

Telegames – Children below 8 years: Shawn Menezes, Anisha D’Costa, Shelton Sequeira, Christine Danthi and Dale Rebello

Cricket – Children category (8-plus years)

Winners (gold medallists): Clive Danthi (captain), Lester Monis, Gail Castelino, Rishitha Picardo, Johan Furtado, Rishaw D’Souza, Malcom D’Souza, Jeslyn Pinto, Rochelle Maria Quadros, Allen Menezes, Aaron Saldanha, Lizy Barboza and Swithin Fernandes.

Runners-up (silver medallists): Andril Lobo (captain), Shane D’Souza, Neil Castelino, Rayan D’Souza, Silvita Sequeira, Craig Mathias, Melrick D’Souza, Lael Alva, Stacy Vaz, Shane Menezes, Lester Sanctis, Natasha Noronha, Lester D’Souza and Bryan D’Souza.

Cricket – Ladies’ category

Winners (gold medallists): Anitha Danthi (captain), Cynthia Saldhana, Priyanka Mendonca, Shaila D’Souza, Jacintha Periera, Philomena Mendonca, Monica Pereira, Sunitha Serrao, Michelle Gonsalves, Elvira Machado, Reshma Rebello, Neslin Moras, Meera Saldanha, Cynthia D’Souza, Cynthia Martis, Elvira D’Souza, Caroline Pinto, Agnes Picardo, Sunitha D’Souza and Molly Pinto.

Runners-up (silver medallists): Anitha Lobo (captain), Priya Quadros, Prenitha Monteiro, Flavia D’Souza, Shalet Noronha, Trescilla Menezes, Janet D’Souza, Rebecca, Monica Fernandes, Reshma D’costa, Melita Alva, Laveena Menezes, Jyotsna D’Souza, Jacintha Mathias, Helen Sequeira, Lilly D’Souza, Shalet Sequeira, Flavia Castelino, Nirmala Fernandes and Asha Noronha.

Cricket – Seniors

Winners (gold medallists): Stephen Rodrigues (captain), Manual Monis, Alphonso Rodrigues, Felix D’Souza, Henry L Sequeira, Stany Pereira, Rony Lobo, Cyril Sequeira, Rony Picardo and Brian Curri.

Runners-up (silver medallists): John Gonsalves (captain), Rudolph Rodrigues, Alban D’Souza, Lancy Barboza, Gabriel Lima, Eugine Sequeira, Arthur Saldanha, Victor Mascarenhas, Thomas D’Souza and Ivan Gonsalves.

Cricket – Men’s category

Winners (gold medallists): Sunil Furtado (captain), Ashwin Lobo, Wilfred Castelino, Joel Almeida, Roshan D’Souza, Norman Prem Machado, Praveen Roche, Joel D’Souza, Jeston Gonsalves and Joachim Lobo.

Runners-up (silver medallists): John Mathias (captain), Rajesh D’costa, Alister Pinto, Agnel Dias, Gavin Lima, Prakash D’Souza, Loyal, Jonathan Benett and Naveen Fernandes.

Throwball

Winners (gold medallists): Anitha Danthi (captain), Jessy Pereira, Monica Fernandes, Jacintha Pereira, Cynthia D’Souza, Flavia Fernandes, Rita Coelho, Tressy Menezes, Jacintha Mathias and Sunitha D’Souza.

Runners-up (silver medallists): Priya Menezes (captain), Prenita Monteiro, Janet D’Souza, Jyostna D’Souza, Nirmala Fernandes, Asha Noronha, Laveena Menezes, Neslin Moras, Cynthia Saldanha and Molly Pinto.

Volleyball

Winners (gold medallists): John Mathias (captain), Rolson Cardozo, Loyal D’Sa, Noel D’Souza, Steven Rodrigues, Joel Almeida, Jonathan Benett, Rakesh Coelho, Wilfred Crasta, Gavin and Praveen Niddodi.

Runners-up (silver medallists): Sudhir K P (captain), Joel D’Souza, Joseph D’Souza, Roshan, Prakash D’Souza, Michael Goveas, Rajesh Mascerenhas, Shailesh, Ajith Walder, Ivan Gonsalves, Naveen Rony and Ajith D’Costa.

The main sponsor for the day was Clifford Sanctis – M/s Hydrotec International LLC. Other sponsors for the event were Dosteen Doors, Aaram for Modern Technology, Innovative Business Technologies, Mustafa Sultan Exchange, Sports 4 All, Jessie Pereira, IFFCO Distribution LLC, National Tea Co (Mumtaz Tea) and Oasis Water Company.

The general sponsors for all MCCP events during the year are Renna Mobile, Omantel, Hyssna International LLC, National Finance Company SAOG, Muscat Golden Services LLC, Technofit Group, Hydrotec International LLC, Zahrat Al Rawdha Trading, Prestige Engineering Projects, Sky United Logistics, Muscat Pharmacy & Stores LLC, Areej Vegetable Oils and Derivatives SAOG.