Media release
Dammam, Apr 22: Fun, frolic, enthusiasm and a spirit of eagerness prevailed in the much-awaited annual MASA sports day 2019 for Mangalureans residing in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia at the lush green meadows of area 91 in Dammam on April 12.
The tranquil cool weather and excitement of spirited members young and old brought in a competitive atmosphere all through the day.
Around 9 am, MASA president Naveen Bhandary inaugurated the event with a welcome note in presence of advisory committee members Ravi Karkera, Dayanand Shriyan, Narendra Shetty, Sadashiv Poojary and the ex-com members Gopal Shetty, Sathish Bajal, Praveen Peter Aranha, Viraj Kumar Shetty, Ameer Hussain, Naveen Shetty, Dayanand Chowta, Sunil Puthran, Puttaraju, Usman Hosangadi, Salim Puttur and Ganesh Karkera.
Sports committee head Ameer Hussain welcomed the guests and read out the rules and events for the day. Advisory committee members Ravi Karkera, Dayanand Shriyan, Sadashiv Poojary and Narendra Shetty added their note of advice to the members and participants to enjoy the day, be competitive and display high spirits with a caution to be serious but not too serious.
Participants and members were divided into four houses Red, Green, Blue & Yellow. Ravi Karkera announced the names of House Leaders as Shruthi Raghavendhran Bhat – Red House, Naseema Salim Puttur - Green house, Prita Arun Bangera - Blue house and Sarika Naveen Salian - Yellow house.
The games were organized very professionally by the event organizing teams led by sports committee head Ameer Hussain.
Individual events were conducted in the morning session, while group games started after the Friday prayer and lunch break. Just before the group games started there was an interesting surprise game where contestant had to tie the sack and roll for around 50 meters. The day continued with a variety of games for all age groups.
As the day progressed, the peaceful weather turned into glaring heat with temperatures soaring nevertheless, the atmosphere turned into a virtual battlefield charged with electrifying energy and sporting spirit. Afternoon session began with giving away the medals for winners of morning session followed by ladies’ cricket among each house which was entertaining and worth watching. Spectators could witness few stunning catches and superb batting and fielding by the young and energetic ladies. The final match was won by Red House and runners up by Green House.
The support and encouragement from each of the houses to their team members to win the medals was worth watching. Fully charged up members old and young, the teens and the kids were all cheered on by their respective houses and made the event a grand success.
Watching children test their power in the tug of war event was very entertaining, and after that it was the turn of the ladies to showcase their strength tugging at the rope. The highly tensed men's tug of war was no less than a war. Each participant fought it out with a laudable sporting spirit giving all they had to muscle their team and add points in their kitty which could help them overall for winning the team championship.
Group game, dodge ball for ladies and children too saw some tough competition among the houses and was fully enjoyed by the participants and the viewers.
The House championship was won by Blue House led by Prita Arun Bangera while the Green House led by Naseema Salim Puttur bagged the runners up, Red House led by Shruthi Bhat secured third place and Yellow House led by Sarika Naveen Salian ended up with fourth place.
First, second and third place individual group winners were invited to the victory stand and were awarded with bouquets and medals. The champion trophies will be presented on the MASA Annual Day which will be held in December 2019.
Departing veteran members Jagajeevan Ram Karkera, Olga D’sa her kids Violla and Winston, Pratiksha daughter of Niranjan Karkera leaving the kingdom for good were honored by MASA with bouquets and shawls for their untiring dedication and service to MASA.
Delicious breakfast, lunch, snacks, coffee and tea was served throughout the day.
As been the tradition MASA also honoured the Rajesh Shetty couple for completing 21 years of wedding bliss with the ritual cake cutting.
Before the medal distribution in the evening, sports committee head Ameer Hussain thanked all the sponsors for generous contribution and read out their names. Sponsors were:M/S Artland Transport Company, M/S Intermodal Services of SA, Ravi Karkera, Dayanand Shriyan, Ameer Hussain, Naveen Bhandary, Sunil Puthran, Yogesh Poojary, Gopal Shetty & Group, Sheikh Moideen & Group, Nesma Group, Khobar Friends, Ganesh Karkera, Vishwanath Suvarna.
Vote of thanks was rendered by president Naveen Bhandary and finally the singing of national anthem to draw curtains for another memorable feather in MASA accomplishment.