Report By: Vijai Dcunha
Photos by: Jochim Dsouza
The Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP – Sts Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi), recently hosted its annual cricket ‘Premier League -2018’.
The event was organised at the Al Hail Cricket Club grounds, Mabella and was held exclusively for the community members.
The programme commenced early in the day and was compered by Deepak D’Souza, cultural secretary. Melita Alva, general secretary, led the gathering into a prayer, invoking blessings from the almighty.
Ajith Walder, president, welcomed the gathering and wished them a cheerful day and success to all the enthusiastic players. The programme was inaugurated by releasing colourful balloons into the air.
The MCCP Premier League – 2018 was uniquely planned by the MCCP executive committee 2017-18, known by ‘Team 27’, with a fabulous logo inspiring a sportsman spirit among cricket lovers. Ajith D’Costa (sports secretary), a well-known sports personality among the Mangalurean community in Muscat, was the man behind introducing a new concept in this year’s annual cricket, which indeed encouraged a huge participation and witnessed great success as well as received immense praise from the community.
The ‘MCCP Premier League 2018’ logo was exclusively designed by Vijai D’Cunha.
The cricket teams were earlier invited to register in the MCCP official website, which included people of all ages and gender and this was overwhelmingly responded to with an 8 men’s team and a 2 women’s team being registered well before the cut-off date was announced. All the registered teams who were present at the venue, were then placed in two groups for each male and female category to take the league matches against each other. At the beginning of the match Ajith D’Costa explained the rules to all the players.
Deepak D’Souza introduced Manjunath Bhat, Raj Alagiri, Srinivas Prabhu and Jaypal Udeshi as the official match umpires. Reethesh Salian took charge as official scorer.
The main game then progressed with Ajith D’Costa, Deepak D’Souza and Flavia D’Souza in command. The matches were restricted to 5 overs. Some strong batting line-up was displayed by the team ‘Royal Strikers’ and ‘Mangalorean Boys’ with their fabulous batting and good pace bowling.
Loveline Rego, a well-known DJ provided the music to keep the athletes and the spectators cheerful throughout. Larry Rego, Brian Currie and Loveline Rego kept the crowd entertained with their lively commentary. Joachim D’Souza captured the exciting moments of the day on his camera. Lancy Pinto provided the seamless sound system.
Before the session moved to a short lunch break, Dynet Fernandes, cultural secretary said grace before meals. Soon after lunch, the match continued with the same spirit, but turned more interesting when finalists took battle. It was a final the competition deserved, with fans queuing round the block and enjoying the sensational twists and turns throughout.
The post-match session took over by Flavia D’Souza, vice president – cultural, spiritual and community service, who introduced the chief guest, Denis Mascarenhas, managing director of Prestige Projects & Engineering Supplies Co LLC, who in turn spoke briefly on the occasion. This was followed by a vote of thanks by Roshan Telis, vice president- Sports & Finance, who gave due credit to all those who made this event a success. Thereafter, all the event supporters and volunteers were requested to come forward and receive the felicitation by Ajith Walder.
Finally, Melita Alva announced the prizes and trophies for the winners, which were given away by the chief guest Denis Mascarenhas, Ajith Walder and Roshan Tellis.
The details of the prize winners are as follows:
Best batswomen award- Amanda D’Costa from Royal Strikers for 36 runs
Best bowler- women award- Cynthia Saldanha from Royal Strikers for 3 wickets
Best player award- Amanda D’Costa from Royal Strikers for 36 runs, 2 wickets, 1 catch
Best batsmen award- Clive Quadros from Mangalorean Boys for 89 runs
Best Bowler award- Pradeep D’Souza from Mangalorean Boys for 10 wickets
Best player award- Clive Quadros from Mangalorean Boys for 89 runs, 2 wickets
The Malw category championship trophy was bagged by the team ‘Royal Strikers’ led by its captain Hanson D’Souza, his team comprising of Clinton D’Souza, Glenson
Noronha, Ronal Moras, Akshath Castelino, Allen Danthi, Starwin Pinto, Ajay D’Souza, Denzil Lobo, Shailesh D’Silva, Rithesh Crasta, Norman Corda, Liston Pinto, Larry Rego, and Henry Corda.
The male category runners up trophy was won by ‘Mangalorean Boys’, team led by Pradeep Tellis as its captain, comprising of Pramod Valson Cutinha, Pradeep D’Souza, Baptist Saldanha, Jaison Rahul D’Souza, Naveen Baretto, Agnel Dias, Clive Quadros, Vincent Pinto, Akshy Rosario, Vinod D’Souza, Joyal D’Souza, Sunil Fernandes and Rudolf Rodrigues.
The women’s category championship trophy was bagged by ‘Royal Strikers’ team led by Cynthia Saldanha, team comprising of Amanda D’Costa, Carolin Pinto, Clarita Saldanha, Flavia D’Souza, Priya Quadras, Priyanka Mendonca, Preneta Monteiro, Reema Pinto, Larissa Saldanha, Janet Rodrigues, Reshma Rebello and Michelle Pinto.
The women’s category runner’s up trophy was won by ‘Smashers’ team led by Nancy D’Souza, comprising of Anitha Lobo, Elveera Machado, Helen Sequeira, Cynthia Crasta, Flavia Dsouza, Philomena Mendonca, Rochelle Quadras, Jivitha Vas and Violet.
The teams that participated in the event are as below:
Women’s teams:
1. Smashers led by Nancy D’Souza
2. Royal Strikers led by Cynthia Saldanha
Male’s teams:
1. Mangalorean Boys led by Pradeep Tellis
2. Coastal Warriors led by Ajith D’Costa
3. Royal Strikers led by Hanson Hancy D’Souza
4. Mangalorean Friends led by Vikas Fernades
5. United Mangalore Friends led by UMF Arul Lobo
6. VR1 led by Raphael D’Souza
7. Pocari Boys led by Ashok Mathias
8. Jolly Friends led by Deepak D’Souza
Ajith Walder impressed by the overwhelming response to the event said, “Cricket is gaining more popularity and youth are very much attracted to it. Hence, these types of tourneys will help our players to showcase their talents.”
The event was organised with great professionalism by all the team members of the executive committee of MCCP ‘Team-27’ for the year 2018-19, comprising of Ajith Walder as president, Roshan Praveen Tellis, vice president of Sports and Finance, Flavia D’Souza, vice president of cultural, spiritual and community service, Melita Sheela Alva, general secretary, Ashok Kiran Pinto, honorary treasurer, Denzil Nishan Sequeira, internal auditor, Ajith D’Costa, sports secretary, Deepak Ranjan D’Souza, cultural secretary, Walter Mendonca, spiritual secretary, and Dynet Fremcitha Fernandes, community service secretary.
The sponsors for the event were Al Khalili Constructions – Ajith D’Costa, Arabian Concepts Trading – Steevan Andrade, Raj Alagiri, ZamZam Cola – Naina Walder, Muscat Pharmacy – Ashok Mathias, Al Maya Group- Ram Kaurani and Rajendra Chhatani- Thomas from Zahrat Al Rawdha Trading.
The event supported for MCCP online registration and MPL logo design was by Vijai D’Cunha, MPL backdrop design by Dean D’Souza, breakfast/evening snacks by Oman Express, and lunch by Samsara Restaurant.
Team-27 supported by the team of volunteers did a commendable job in organising the event. After the prize distribution all the people departed from the venue contentedly.