Dubai, May 1: SMMC (St Mary's Mangalorean Community) organized a day-long indoor cricket and throw ball tournament 'SMMC Sports 2018' on April 27. As many as 30 Catholic and Christian teams all over from UAE participated in the event at Insportz Sports Club. Rising Stars, Konkans Dubai, Coastal Friends emerged winners in cricket, throw ball (women) and throw ball (men) respectively. 

As various sports team members arrived in the morning, registration process was carried out by efficient SMMC volunteers. Dubai's cheerful compere Vernon D'Souza initiated the opening ceremony with the introduction of SMMC. Boniface Carlo, SMMC sports convener, rendered the welcome address. SMMC spiritual director Fr Robert Lasrado, recited the opening prayer and conveyed the message narrating the importance of the event which brings closeness in the UAE Konkani community.

Vernon D'Souza introduced all the participating teams. SMMC's vice coordinator Joseph Mathias carried out the oath taking ceremony. Insportz briefed to the participating teams about the rules and regulations for the tournament. As per the fixtures stated earlier in the tournament format, initial matches for cricket and throw ball started simultaneously in five courts. The tournament was officially declared open by Fr Robert Lasrado and SMMC core team symbolically batting at the cricket court and passing the ball at the throw ball court.

Throughout the day, supporters, guests and prominent members of Konkan community visited the venue and were kept engrossed in the spectacular matches between various teams of cricket (men), throw ball (Men) and throw ball (women).

In the evening, vivacious compere Lanita Noronha started the award presentation ceremony. SMMC programme convener Diany D'Souza thanked all the sponsors, participating teams, Insportz authorities, volunteers, comperes and all those contributed to the success of the event.

Sponsors of event were felicitated with mementos by the spiritual director Fr Robert Lasrado. Main sponsor of the event was Martin Aranha, Globelink West Star Shipping; co-sponsors were Sydney Lewis, SJ Lewis Engineering Consultants Dubai, Joseph Mathias, Merit Freight Systems Co LLC Dubai, Johnson Arabia Dubai and Michael D'Souza, Ivory Grand Hotel Apartments; well-wishers were Boniface Carlo, Middle East Hospitality Services LLC, Florida Global Technical Services, Leo D'Souza, Philomena Pereira, Francis Cyril D'Souza and K Lawrence D'Souza; and the media sponsor was Daijiworld. Clara Fernandes and Vincent Lobo were felicitated as they rendered their service as referees for the throw ball matches throughout the day.

Winners, runners-up teams, each player of all winner and runners-up teams and outstanding players were awarded with trophies presented by SMMC's spiritual director Fr Robert Lasrado, coordinator Jerina Lewis and vice-coordinator Joseph Mathias.

The results of SMMC Sports 2018 as follows:

Cricket:

Winner: Rising Stars, Dubai
Runner-up: ANIB Challengers, Dubai
Best Bowler: Leonid Sequiera, ANIB Challengers, Dubai 
Best Batsman: Raju Jose, Rising Stars, Dubai 
Player of the Tournament: Isuru, Rising Stars, Dubai

Throw ball (Women):

Winner: Konkans Dubai, Dubai
Runner-up: MKD, Dubai
Best Defender: Jasmitha Mendonca, Konkans Dubai, Dubai 
Best Spiker: Flavia Mathias, MKD Dubai 
Best All-rounder: Tina Dsouza, Konkans Dubai, Dubai

Throw ball (Men):

Winner: Coastal Friends, Dubai
Runner-up: MKD, Dubai
Best Defender: Rafael Pereira, MKD, Dubai
Best Spiker: Richard, MKD - Dubai 
Best All-rounder: Ullas, Coastal Friends, Dubai