Media Release
Bahrain, Sep 18: The Indian Club has been crowned winners of the Spectrum Group Eid 5- A Side Rink Hockey tournament organized by the Bahrain Hockey Association at Indian Club on Monday September 13 and Tuesday 14.
Considered tournament favourites and playing home ground advantage, the Indian Club led by talisman captain Avalon Martin, shook off a nervous start to the tournament by comfortably beating the tournament surprise outfit, Royal Challengers of Bahrain.
With a final score line of 9 – 3 , the Royal Challengers offered little resistance to the attacking style of the seasoned Indian Club players, despite a hat-trick by their mercurial forward and former Pakistan international, Zakir Khan and fullback, Charles Forward. Adopting a total attacking style of hockey, the champions who were backed by some of Bahrain’s most well known seasoned players such as Garner, Anthony , Alwyn, Victor and Eddie displayed stunning rink hockey plays as veteran Cassius netted in 4 goals to claim the tournament trophy .
In another close encounter for the third place playoff, the House of Travel Hungry Hamours beat newcomers the Daredevils on penalties (2-0) after a scoreless draw at the end of extra time. Goalkeeper Anson Sequeira pulled off two magnificent saves to secure the advantage with penalty takers Kevin D’Cunha and James Carless converting two penalty strokes to give the Hamours the third place.
The Most Valuable Player of the Tournament went to Avalon Martin of the Indian Club and Best Goalkeeper Award went to newcomer sensation, Jason D’Souza of the Daredevils.
Chief guest for the tournament, Rana Khan – Charge D’Affairs of the Pakistani Embassy, praised the dedication of hockey players in Bahrain in keeping the sport alive and urged the community to get more involved in reviving hockey in a big way. Guest of honour for the tournament was Fr Dinesh Mendonca, parish priest of the Sacred Heart Church, Bahrain.
Main sponsor for the event, Spectrum Group’s managing director - Franklin Alby also applauded the commitment of the Bahrain Hockey Association in promoting the sport. Co sponsors for the tournament were Gulf Weekly, Radio Voice and 4 Shots Photography. BHA president Garner Vaz thanked all sponsors, teams and volunteers for their valuable contribution and added that an open International tournament will be hosted in the month of November.