Kunjal Friends and team Dragon Queens lift MAK Champions Trophy 2017
Kuwait: Mogaveers Association Kuwait, the community welfare association of non-resident Mogaveers, based in Kuwait, organized its first indoor, national level Volleyball and Throw Ball Tournament under the title of “MAK Champion Trophy 2017″ on 25th February 2017. The tournament was held at the indoor volleyball ground of American International School (A.I.S) at Maidan Hawally, Kuwait.
MAK Champion Trophy 2017, Volleyball and Throw Ball Tournament was the first event organized by the Mogaveers Association Kuwait after its commencement in September 2016. A total of fourteen Volleyball teams and nine Throwball teams participated and fought for the coveted trophy and cash rewards.
The day-long tournament commenced at 7:30 am with a grand opening ceremony followed by National Anthem. The host of the event Penny Rebello began the event with a welcome note in the presence of all the distinguished guests, participating teams, the referees, representatives/members from various associations, committee members and initiated the proceedings of the tournament. The guests conveyed their best wishes and good luck to the participating teams and organizers. Spectators and supporters of the participating teams all cheered the opening ceremony. It was a day filled with enthusiasm, fun and frolic for all.
Ramesh Kidiyoor, President of Mogaveers Association Kuwait, in his speech expressed his best wishes for the teams and declared the tournament open. Along with the guests Hassan Yusuf, Ex-president of Karnataka Muslim Welfare Association, Dilip Nair, General Secretary – Indian Volley Ball Association Kuwait and Jimmy George Foundation and Satishchandra Shetty, Lawrence Saldanha, President Ramesh Kidiyoor, inaugurated the event with cutting the ribbon and releasing the ball.
At the beginning of the inaugural ceremony all the distinguished guests along with Premkumar, Principal – Bharatiya Vidya, Bhavan, Srinath M.R, President, Jeetendra Ariga, Wilson D’Souza, President – Tulukoota Kuwait, Yedunath Alva, President – Buntara Sangha Kuwait, Raghu Poojari, President – Billava Sangha Kuwait, Sudhakar Shetty, Elias Sanctis, Prominent NRIs and all the refrees, Suresh, Alex, Ajith Kumar and Penny Rebello were presented with a floral bouquet as a mark of respect.
The participating volleyball teams were Al Ghanim, Bunts Smashers, Kerala Sports Club, Kunjal Friends, Dhoom Fighters, Pro-Sports Strikers, Prosports United, Prosports, Tamil Volley, Strikers Kuwait, Riggae Volley, Al Sayer, Abu Halifa Strikers and Indian Dentist Alliance Kuwait.
The participating throw ball teams were AECK, Dragon Queens, Purple Mischief, Red Hawks, Kuwait Konkans, Dhoom Fighters, Prosports, Strikers-Salmiya Friends and Starz.
The first round of volleyball match shot off between team Kunjal Friend and team Tamil Volley and the first round of throw ball match was between team Strikers (Salmiya Friends) and team AECK. The teams played with full enthusiasm and viewers enjoyed and experienced the spectacular show. As the day progressed, matches kept rolling one after another.
Winners
The volleyball tournament ended with a finale of final matches between team Kunjal Friends and team Abu Halifa Strikers. After a tough battle between the two strong teams, team Kunjal Friends finally bagged the winner’s trophy and team Abu Halifa Strikers were declared 1st Runners up. The 2nd runner up trophy was won by Al Ghanim team. Best All Rounder: Mohammed Rizwan (Kunjal Friends), Best Setter: Samad Khan (Kunjal Friends), Best Attacker: Achut Sresta (Al Ghanim), Best Promising Player: Harish (Abu Halifa Strikers).
On the other hand, throw ball tournament ended with a finale of final matches between team Dragon Queens and team Starz. Both the teams were equally strong and after a tough fight, team Dragon Queens finally took away the winner’s trophy and team Starz were declared the 1st Runners up and team Kuwait Konkans took the 2nd Runners up position. Best All Rounder trophy was given to Joyce from team Dragon Queens. The tournament ended up with the prize distribution ceremony concluded by photography sessions of the winners and the committee members.
Mogaveers Association Kuwait thanks all the well-wishers, supporters, volunteers, members, participating teams, coaches, team managers for the successful finale of MAK Champion Trophy 2017. MAK would also like to thank Anand for sound/music, Gokul Bhat for providing transportation and photographers, Prashanth Periera, Praveen, Deon Machado and Jaison. Finally, special thanks to American International School for providing the venue for the tournament.
by Rekha Suvarna