Muscat: MCCP annual cricket tourney a great success
Report: Celine D'Souza
Pics: Dilip Correa
Muscat, Nov 11: The Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP – Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi) organized its first outdoor activity for the current year and conducted an annual cricket mania for its members and their families on Friday November 8 at the Wadi Kabir Sports Ground.
Cricket has ruled the hearts of many and is deep rooted in our blood. It not only unites us on one platform but sets an extraordinary feeling which no other game does.
Two counters were set at the venue to facilitate ease of registration by efficient ladies of the community Felcy Frank, Shaila D’souza, Anitha Lobo, Meena Lobo and Joyce Gonsalves.
A delectable breakfast sponsored by Al Wahaj Family Restaurant courtesy John was served to one and all.
The sports team of MCCP, that is, vice-president sports and finance committees, Ophelia Lazarus and sports secretary John Mathias have been steering the EC team and toiling hard ever since the sport activities have been announced. They have been breaking the task into small minuscule tasks to other committee members in order to make this event a success.
The initial part of the program was ably compered by none other than the sports secretary himself John Mathias in his exceptional and perfect style.
Suraj Rebello and Dolly Gomes, names conversant to MCCP especially when sports activities are in progress, were the main anchors of this event and in their unique and impeccable style administered the formation of teams and took control of the day’s event.
A prayer thanking the eternal creator for all glory and blessings was recited by Spiritual Director, Fr Wilson Rumao.
The inaugural ceremony was aptly done by the chief guest and the main sponsor for this event Vincent Machado and his wife who have been backing MCCP cricket tournaments ever since its inception along with Fr Wilson Rumao, president Lancy Lobo and his team.
In his welcome address, president Lancy Lobo thanked the members for their support and rightly said, “This game is all about to spread unity, love and happiness amongst our members”.
A demo session of the game was piloted by the spiritual director Fr Wilson Rumao and the chief guest Vincent Machado.
Upon completion of the initial inaugural part, the main game progressed with Suraj Rebello and Dolly Gomes in command.
The games were conducted on knock out basis with each team playing for 6 over’s. In the men's category, there wer 8 teams and some strong batting line-up of MCCP Tendulkars, Dhonis and Kohlis captivating hearts with their fabulous batting and good pace bowling.
The highlight of the game was exhibited by Fr Wilson Rumao who in his energetic spirit bowled out one of the batsmen from the opposition team in the first game, much to the cheerf and delight of the crowd.
In the children's category, there were some fantastic players lined up with good batting and bowling steering the game to victory. The children's cricket was very well conducted by Sudhir K P and supported by Jonathan Bennett and Sharon Alva.
The tiny tots were also included in the game and had to hit the stumps. It was a pleasure to watch the excited kids aiming at it.
Ladies came out to the crease in full swing and vigor; some of them hitting spectacular shots much to the delight of the highly impressed crowd.
There was a fantastic team of umpires who officiated the matches with their flawless umpiring and performing remarkably well. They delivered their roles with such keen interest that the need for a third empire did not arise! The team consisted of Hanson Hancy, Alwyn Coutinho, Ravin Rodrigues and Sharon Alva.
There were some extraordinary players in all teams giving out some helicopter shots making the MCCP fans go crazy.
To keep track of safety and well-being of the players, there was a dedicated field nurse in place. Asha Noronha was ready to cater with her fully-equipped medical kit, though none was found injured on the ground.
Commentators play a vital role in cricket. Their enthusiasm and sense of humor has a great impact on listeners. With 4 commentators - Russel D’Souza, Brian Currie, Flavia D’Souza and Peter Fernandes - behind the scenes the game generated a feeling of excitement and fun.
At regular intervals, there was some mixing and playing of music and also while the game was in progress soft music played in the background keeping the crowd lively, thanks to Loveline Rego and his brilliant DJ services.
The score card with updated scores was recorded and aptly done in detail by score-keeper of the day Henry Rodrigues.
To promote the upcoming Christmas party, coupons were on sale, handled by Joylin Gonsalves.
MCCP acknowledges the faithful band of volunteers who supported this event and enormously appreciates them. They were as follows: Sunil D’souza, Nixon Lobo, Cyril Britto, Naveen Sequeira, Sharon Alva, Ashok Pinto, Avinash Lobo, Wilson Lobo, Sylvan Lobo and Joyal D’souza and Melwyn Lobo.
The sponsors for the event were Zaharat Al Rawda Trading – courtesy Raphael Quadros, Technical Trading Co – courtesy Peter and Jacintha Serrao, IFFCO Distribution Oman, Al Wahaj Family Restaurant - courtesy John, Nestle Oman – courtesy Mariette Fernandes, and Swagath Restaurant.
The sponsors for the year are Areej Vegetable Oils and Derivatives – mega sponsor, and Omantel – courtesy Eula Pinto – main sponsor, and co-sponsors Muscat Pharmacy, Sky United Logisitics – Dilip Correa.
Vote of thanks was done extremely well by Ophelia Lazarus giving due credit to all those who made this event a success.
Dilip Correa and Joachim D’souza captured the events with their fabulous photography.
Despite a busy day, the prize distribution ceremony was well controlled with the same dynamism and energy by Suraj Rebello with Stanley Fernandes, core committee member and Jessie Pereira, another vibrant member being the guest of honour giving out trophies to the winners and runners-up along with the president and his team.
All in all, MCCP cricket mania was an entertaining game with full of energy.
Men category winners:
Alwyn Pinto - captain
Lloyd Sequeira
Avinash Lobo
Praveen Lewis
Shane Pinto
Wilson Fernandes
Vincent Gama
Clarence Lobo
Jason Pinto
George Martis
Rony Lobo
Wilson D’souza
Maxim Menezes
Alban D’souza
Sachin Lobo
Men's category runners-up:
Lancy Lobo - captain
Reizen Pereira
Robert D’souza
Deepak D’souza
Thomas Pinto
Noel Machado
Sylvan Lobo
Prasanth D’souza
Ajith D’costa
Jason Mathias
Nixon Lobo
Jeevan Saldanha
Alphonse Rodrigues
Jonathan Bennett
Ladies category winners:
Reena D’souza - captain
Cynthia Saldanha
Shalet Sequeira
Severine Gonsalves
Leema Fernandes
Avitha Fernandes
Joan Rego
Agnes Picardo
Jessy Serrao
Ophelia Lobo
Felcy Frank
Reeda Vaz
Ladies category runners-up:
Ophelia Lazarus - captain
Priya Quadras
Meena Lobo
Anitha Dantis
Tina Saldanha
Jyotsna D’souza
Philomena Moras
Lucy Sequeira
Nirmala Fernandes
Rita Gama
Vinitha Tellis
Alice Almeida
Children category winners:
Royston Fernandes - captain
Ryan Nazareth
Joel Menezes
Michelle Gonsalves
Priyanka Mendonca
Rebecca D’souza
Chris D’souza
Clive Austin Danthi
Gail Castelino
Craig Mathias
Lizy Barboza
Alrean Moras
Glen Menezes
Stevan D’souza
Rishon D’souza
Darren Lewis
Children category runners-up:
Christon Rodrigues - captain
Rivaldo D’silva
Andril Lobo
Ralitsa Correa
Jenilda Mathias
Andrea Noronha
Neil Fernandes
Silvita Sequeira
Rishita Picardo
Neil Castelino
Rochelle Maria Quadras
Natasha Noronha
Stacy Vaz
Shane Menezes
Jesline Pinto
Auraltina Rodrigues
Shane D’souza
Hitting the stumps category:
Nikhil Norona
Nicole D’souza
Tanish Saldanha