Report: Vijai Dcunha (Muscat/G-kere)
Pics: Joachim Dsouza
Muscat: 9th Feb 2018; The much awaited ‘Mangalorean Milan’ – a fun filled Community day was celebrated by Mangalore Catholic Centre of the Parish (MCCP – Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Ruwi) at the Muscat Sports Club Grounds – Al Wadi Al Kabir, marked with a substantial feast with variety of Mangalorean style foods, lots of games and fun galore.
The nature visibly kind with the mixed atmosphere of warmth and blissful breeze during early morning hours, but as the sun slowly appeared in the horizon behind the Wadi Kabir mountain ranges, a pleasant weather surrounded around Muscat Sports Club Ground. The preparation and Decoration of the stage and ground commenced during the early hours of the day under the leaderships of Naveen Mascarenhas (V.P Culture), Terence Dsouza (Sports Secretary), Suneel Menezes (Community service secretary) and rest of the Executive committee members and also many volunteers from the Community.
The Registration for the event under the leadership of Vijai Dçunha (Internal Auditor) started at 10.00 am, who was supported by Sunita Furtado, Molly Pinto, Linda Dsouza, Rinet Menezes, and Priya Menezes.
As the Community members started coming in by 10 am, they have been directed to the morning breakfast counter, where delicious Mangalorean style ‘Buns’ and ‘Sajjige Pov’, Tea and coffee were served by the famous ‘Udupi Home Restaurant’. At the registration counters, the community members were formed into 6 groups named as ‘Mandas, ‘Bakryo’, ‘Panpole’, ‘Pathrade’, ‘Mutlin’, and ‘Patholyo’. Each member of the different team had been given different colored ribbons to identify their respective groups.
The program began with an opening welcome note from Naveen Mascarenhas- an orator and a well- known compere, who is also the current vice President (Culture) of MCCP. Alongside all Executive Committee members on stage, Philomena Saldanha (Spiritual Secretary) recited the Prayers invoking God’s blessing for the success of the event. The Program then officially inaugurated by the Chief Guest Dilip Correa, a community leader and erstwhile MCCP president and active social worker as well, who spoke in brief about the community binding efforts of MCCP through like events and appreciated the efforts put forth by the current Executive Committee – Team 26.
Thereafter, President Sunil Furtado released a white dove sent fluttering into the air as a symbol of peace and unity, and who then welcomed the gathering in large numbers and appreciated the efforts put by all Executive committee as well as community members towards stage arrangements, setting up of volleyball and throwball courts, and food stall etc, and encouraged the enthusiastic participation in competitions and support for the success of the event.
The days sports event planned and supported by Suneel Menezes (Throw ball) and Vijai Dcunha (Volleyball) and skillfully anchored by Dolly Gomes, who formed enthusiastic 4 groups each for Volleyball for men and Throw ball for Women. Well-known commentator Brian Curry boosted the vigor in players and zeal among the spectators. Score sheet managed by Shawn Monteiro and Preneta Vunilda Monteiro and official Referees were Gowtham Raj & Chandrakanth. The four-side volleyball tournament held between the groups and the trophy was won by the team lead by Terence Dsouza, and players Jason, Stephen, Rajesh, Joseph, Naveen and Valerian. The Runner-ups were the team lead by Michael Goveas, and players Glen, Shawn, Praveen, Wilfred, Arun and Lancy. The Consolation prize won by the team lead by Suneel (Sam) Menezes, and players were Brian, Eugene, Paul, Vincent, Rajesh and Lancy. Later, the trophy and meddles were handed over by Stanley Fernandes – Member of the MCCP Core Committee and erstwhile MCCP President, followed by Sunil Furtado handing over man of the match trophy to Jason Cardoza.
Similarly, 4 side throw ball tournaments held between the women’s groups and was won by the team lead by Molly Pinto, and the players were Jessy, Reena, Nancy, Reshma, Philomena, Priya and Lavina. Runner-up team lead by Jane Castelino, with players Anita, Priya, Lenny, Flavy, Jesline, and Agnes. The trophy and the meddles were handed over by Jessie Pereira – erstwhile Vice President (Finance) of MCCP, followed by Sunil Furtado handing over allrounder trophy to Jessie Pereira.
After every match interval, Terence Dsouza conducted spot games for the audience, in which Jason Cardoza, Rajesh D’Costa and Herlene Pinto grabbed the Prizes respectively. Dynet Fernandis conducted games for the Children lining them in 4 groups, that included Relay Race, Stepping Stones, Cup Pyramid Race and Four leg race. The winners were from the Group named as “Chennai Super Kings’ with Yohan, Anisha, Larissa, Sheldon, Lavisha, Sanya, Tanya and Asrida being the participants.
The event paused for a small break for lunch. Dynet Fernandis (Cultural Secretary) conducted the prayer before meals, soon then all were served with delicious Chicken Biriyani and Raitha (Curds) supplied and sponsored by one of the famous and well-known restaurant in Muscat “Mughal Darbar’, which gained all out praise by each and every one. Later, mouthwatering ‘Vorn’ was served (Courtesy Edward and Philomena Mendonca). Jason Cardoza – famously called DJ Jason lavishly run series of most popular Mangalorean Konkani and English DJ songs which soften the ears and entertained the audience throughout.
Post lunch smartly begin with a march past by the 6 groups holding the respective Group colour bearing flags matching to the ribbons distributed during the registration. Later, Terence Dsouza in his witty style conducted the Fun sports for the 6 groups who were graded through points, and the games included were Bottle Filling by sponge, walk by a stick between legs by 3, Tire throw, Walk by Batting the Table tennis ball between two and drop to the bucket, stepping through baskets quickly replaced till a point assisted by 2, ball to the stumps and Tug of War. Couple game also conducted which was won by Shawn Monteiro, Anil Castelino and Pravin Pinto.
Before the prize distribution ceremony, Francis Pinto (Honorary Treasurer) proposed Vote of thanks and called all the event sponsors on stage, whom Sunil Furtado (President) honoured them with a flower bouquet. John Gonsalves was honoured for Judging the Valentine’s day message contest. Later, Naveen Mascarenhas and Terence Dsouza called all the winning teams and individual winners on stage, whom the prizes, trophies and meddles were handed over.
Winners of the pre-event contests in Crib Competition (held during Christmas season) were given away with the prizes by Sunil Furtado. First prize won by Jayson Jaideep, second prize shared between Meghan Dsouza and Naveen-Suman Mathias, third prize won by Astrida Dsouza, and consolation won prize by Walter Dsouza and Fredrick. The Valentine Day Message contest won by Tina Saldanha (English) and Wilson Kinnigoli (Konkani).
Throughout the evening Mangalorean favourite ‘Golibaje’ and ‘Neerullibaje’ with Tea and coffee was served by ‘Udupi Home Restaurant’. Each and every moment of this day was completely enjoyed by the whole Mangalorean Community. It was a non-stop entertaining program for all the participants.
The event was sponsored by; Marmul Hospitality Group-Travel, Holidays, Money Exchange, Real Estate and Hotel Golden Oasis (Courtesy Vijai Dcunha), “Mughal Darbar’ New Arsalan Restaurant (Courtesy Godwin), Al Nadha Restaurant (Courtesy Prem Colaco), Malbar Gold (Courtesy Philomena Mendonca), Zahrat Printers (Courtesy Raphael Quadros), Ooredoo (Courtesy Suneel Menezes), Al Maya LLC, Al Reef LLC, Pran Juice Company, National Detergent Co, Muscat Pharmacy, Four seasons (Courtesy Sunil D’sa), and Al Areej Vegetable Oils (Courtesy Jessie Pereira), George Andrade (Sweets of Oman) and Briston Noronha (Al Mudhish LLC).
The support was also offered by Joachim D Souza (Photography), Suresh (Breakfast/Snacks), Zezito (Sound System), Saira Dsouza, Edward and Philomena Mendonca (Vorn), Lionel (procuring Trophies), Clifford Castelino, Nirmala Goveas, Deepak Dsouza, Yuvaraj (Kudla Cup), Joylin Gonsalves (Banner design) and Prakash D’Sa.
The sponsors for the year are:
Platinum sponsor: Muscat Golden Services LLC (Raphael D’Souza)
Gold sponsors: Omantel (courtesy Eula Pinto) and Technofit Trading LLC (Liguory and Margaret D’Mello)
Silver sponsors: Marmul Hospitality group of travels, Exchange & Hotel Golden Oasis (Mabel Pinto – courtesy Vijai D’Cunha), National Finance Company SAOG (Robert Pancras – courtesy Francis Pinto)
Bronze sponsors: Sea Pearls LLC (Riyas – courtesy Francis Pinto), Prestige Projects and Engineering Supplies Co LLC (Denis Mascarenhas) and Zahrat Al Rawdha Trading (Raphael Quadras)