Dubai, Feb 23: The annual sports event "SMMC Sports Fiesta-2023" of St Mary's Mangalorean Community (SMMC) Dubai was held on February 12 at Skyline College University College grounds upholding the aspects of sporting events.

Fr Denis Saldanha, spiritual director of Konkani community, St Michael's Church, Sharjah, was the chief guest of the day. Hitesh Suvarna of Seamark Shipping LLC, Flavia Mathias of Merit Freight Systems Co LLC,  Lancy D'Souza of Leyton Shipping LLC, James Mendonca of Reliable Engineering & Fabrication FZC, Victor Fernandes of Ideal Loss Adjusters LLC were guests of honour.

Jeevan Vas, coordinator of SMMC along with the executive committee and volunteers of SMKV graced the occasion.

During the inaugural ceremony, SMMC Core member Clement Cardoza, graced the event with the opening prayer while Jeevan Vas, SMMC's coordinator welcomed the gathering. Fr Denis Saldanha in his address motivated participants to be confident, positive and display the spirit of sportsmanship.

He appreciated SMMC's efforts in organizing such a mega sports event. Loyson D'Cunha, the sports secretary of SMMC carried out the oath taking ceremony. The tournament was officially declared open by Fr Denis Saldanha along with sponsors of the event.

The inaugural programme was compered by Ivy Dsouza. Thereafter, the events of the day began and all the participants actively participated in the sporting extravaganza with zeal and enthusiasm. A total of 60 teams participated in various sporting events such cricket for men & women, volleyball for men and throwball for women.

As per the fixtures stated earlier in the tournament format, initial league matches for cricket (men & women), volleyball and throwball started simultaneously in four lush green grass grounds.

Poonthura Cricket Club (PCC) in Cricket men, Kelarai Youth Friends (KYF) in Cricket women, Leyton Team AB in volleyball (Men) and Team Merit Freight in Throwball (Women) were declared as winners of this Sports Fiesta.

Throughout the day, supporters, guests and prominent members of Konkani community visited the venue and were kept engrossed in the spectacular matches between various teams of cricket, volleyball and throwball.

Match officials Cleevan Mendonca and Noel Almeida along with their team took care of umpiring, referees, live scoring on circheroes.com and commentary of the entire event.

DJ Nelson kept the music flowing throughout the day and Franklin Rodrigues, FRS Studio captured the lively moments of the entire sports event.

This sport event also included traditional games for children under four categories which was conducted by youth wing of our community-Konkan Yuva. The zeal and enthusiasm of the children was fabulous. All children were presented with medals and sweets, whereas winners were honoured with trophies.

In the evening, the award presentation ceremony started with felicitation to sponsors, well-wishers and match officials of the event with mementoes. SMMC secretary Wilma Miranda in her thank you note expressed her indebted gratitude to all the sponsors, well-wishers, participating teams, match officials, umpires, referees, Victoria Sports officials, volunteers, Konkan Yuva, emcees, and all those who supported to host this event successfully.

Lanita Noronha compered the valedictory programme.

Platinum sponsor for this event: Seamark Shipping LLC- Martin Aranha,
Support Sponsors: Merit Freight Systems Co. LLC- Joseph Mathias, Leyton
Shipping LLC- Lancy D'Souza, Well-wishers: Ideal Loss Adjusters LLC- Victor
Fernandes, Ivory Grand Hotel Apartments LLC- Michael D'Souza, Reliable
Engineering & Fabrication FZC LLC- James Mendonca. Media
partner: Daijiworld.com, Walter D'Souza Nandalike.

Young and energetic emcees, Lanita Noronha, Ivy Dsouza & Viyon
Veigas compered the entire event to perfection and dedicated SMKV
volunteers took care of entire arrangements. Shetty Lunch Home arranged
breakfast, sumptuous lunch and evening snacks for teams, volunteers, and the crowd.

The winners of the various sport events & outstanding players were awarded with trophies and cash prizes by Fr Victor Fernandes, spiritual director of SMMC along with representatives of Platinum and support sponsors.

The following are the Winning teams for each sports category of "SMMC Sports Fiesta-2023":

Men's Cricket:
Winners: Poonthura Cricket Club (PCC)
1st Runner up: Team KY
2nd Runner up: Eagles Abu Dhabi
Best Batsman: Novel Akshay D'Souza, Arabian Bosco Legends
Best Bowler: Remesh Resin, Poonthura Cricket Club (PCC)
Player of the Match: Vinu Papachan, Poonthura Cricket Club (PCC)
Player of the tournament: Remesh Resin, Poonthura Cricket Club (PCC)
Fair play Award: Flacons XI, Dubai

Women's Cricket:
Winners: Kelarai Youth Friends (KYF)
Runner up: Leyton Team AB
Best Batswoman: Janice Miranda, Leyton Team AB

Best Bowler: Josvita Edlyne D'Souza, KYF
Player of the Match: Josvita Edlyne D'Souza, KYF
Player of the tournament: Janice Miranda, Leyton Team AB
Fair play Award: Globelink Weststar Team

Men's Volleyball:
Winners: Leyton Team AB
Runner up: Smart Plus
Best Attacker: Jan Berlin Baldemoro Paglinawan, Leyton Team AB
Best Setter: Marcus Lyle Gabriel Dimaranan, Leyton Team AB
Best All-rounder: Sailesh D'Souza, Smart Plus
Fair play Award: Milagreans Kallianpur

Women's Throwball:
Winners: Team Merit Freight
Runner up: Noble Warriors
Best Striker: Jain Nishal D'Souza, Team Merit Freight
Best Defender: Josvita Edlyne D'Souza, Noble Warriors
Best All-rounder: Roshani Nathalia Rodrigues, Team Merit Freight
Fair play Award: Team Merit Freight