Muscat Mogaveera Cup – 2015, the much-awaited international volleyball tournament organized by Muscat Mogaveera Koota (MMK), sponsored by patrons of Mangalore Spikers and under the auspices of Muscat Sports Club concluded on 6th November 2015 with much fun and frolic. It was first of a kind tournament wherein in all 10 teams fought for the coveted trophy and cash rewards on 5th and 6th November 2015.
Teams participated were: Team Sohar, Mangalore Spikers, Mushtaq Club Pakistan, Sohar Club, MIP “A”, MIP “B”, MIP “C”, Misbah Muscat, Dubai Challengers and UFSC Friends.
The tournament held at the indoor volleyball stadium of Muscat Sports Club at Wadi Kabir, Sultanate of Oman. It was organized by MMK as part of Silver Jubilee celebrations which is slated to be held on 27th November 2015.
The weather was pleasant, and the excitement and enthusiasm of members and players was abundant. On Thursday, 5th November 2015 at 8 am, Mr. Prakash Naik, Vice President of MMK along with Mrs. Jaya Ramesh Shettigar started the event with a welcome note in presence of distinguished guests, playing teams, committee/sub-committee members and hundreds of sports enthusiasts. Mr. Naik also threw light on the Mogaveera Silver Jubilee Volley Ball Tournament & the idea behind “Mogaveera Cup-2015”.
Inaugural Ceremony:
Mr. S.A.S. Naqvi (Olympian, NIS Patiala, India), Sports Consultant of Oman Hockey Association, officially inaugurated the event by cutting the ribbon and releasing the ball. He was accompanied by distinguished guests, viz, Dr. Satish Nambiar, Hon. Chairman, Indian Social Club, Muscat, Mr. G. V. Ramakrishna, Head National Sales and Expat Services, Bank Muscat, Mr. Nabil Ali Al Balushi, Partner Majan Events Group of Companies and Shaikh Kaleem Saheb, MD Majan Events Group of Companies. Hundred of members /, spectators from the sports fraternity from all communities cheered up the opening ceremony. Thereafter, all the distinguished guests had fun volleying the ball for some time to mark the beginning of matches
At the beginning of inaugural ceremony all the distinguished guests and representatives of various Mangalorean communities and Karnataka organizations were presented with a floral bouquet as a mark of respect.
First round of matches shot off with an exhibition match played between Mangalore Spikers and Sohar team. On the first day 5 matches were played and at the end one team got eliminated and four teams qualified for the second round of matches which were to be played the next day.
Remaining matches commenced at 4 p.m. on Friday, 6th November and continued till late night/early morning of Saturday. The indoor stadium was fully energized with an excellent display of sportive action. While the players enjoyed playing, the spectators enjoyed watching. Presumably, this was the first time that a private group organized such an international volleyball tournament of this magnitude in Muscat, Oman. Kudos to Muscat Mogaveers.
A spectacular show of volleyball action was witnessed on two nights and it was no doubt a thrilling experience to one and all. The effect of this tournament will be cherished by all who experienced it for a long time.
Star attractions Mr. Anup D’Costa, a highly acclaimed Indian National Volleyball Player, Mr. Ashwal Rai, Karnataka State Volleyball Player and Mr. Dhanraj Amin the very popular Libero (defensive) player from India who flew in to Muscal specially to strengthen the team of Mangalore Spikers proved their metal with sheer professionalism. Mr. AnupD’Costa, Mr. Ashwal Rai and Mr. Dhanraj Amin exhibited their wonderful skills and left spectators in awe of their spike, Lifts, smashes and judgment. As the evening drew close, fantastic matches kept rolling, one after another.
Winners
The tournament ended on 6th night with the finale of final match between Mangalore Spikers and Sohar Team. After a close battle and nail biting finish finally Mangalore Spikers clinched the winner’s trophy. Team Sohar bagged the runners-up trophy. The third and fourth place went to Team Misbah and Team Sohar Club respectively. Best Smasher: Mr. Ashwal Rai, Best Allrounder: Mr. Anup D’Costa, Best Lifter: Mr. Adam from Team MIP “B”, Best Libero: Mr. Dhanraj Amin
Prize Distribution Ceremony
Following distinguished guests graced the prize distribution ceremony:
1. Mr. Amur Bin Humaid Bin Abdullah Al Tuqi- General Secretary, Oman Volley Ball Association.
2. Mr. Ahmed Saeed- Oman Volley Ball Association.
3. Mr. Majid Bin Said Al Wahaiby- General Secretary- Muscat Club,
4. Sheikh Kaleem- MD- Majan Events Group of Companies.
Dr. Shekhar Salian – President of MM Koota –Muscat, honoured the distinguished guests with Mementoes for their ardent support, encouragement throughout, and for their gracious presence. Mrs. Jaya Ramesh Shettigar was presented and honoured with a memento for her excellent compering throughout the tournament.
Guest players, Mr. AnupD’Costa, Mr. Ashwal Rai and Dhanraj Amin, were also duly honoured by presenting mementoes.
Vote of Thanks:
The organizers thanked all the members of the Sports Team for providing, assisting, participating and encouraging from the conceptualization of the event to the successful finale of the Mogaveera Cup Indoor Volley Ball Tournament.
They thanked the Teams, Ground Managers, Referees (Mr. Mohd. Al Amry and Mr. Moosa), Scorer, Commentators, Volunteers, Spectators, Photo/ Videographers, Sound & Light, D.J., Stage Setting, Artwork, Printing and all support staff.
They also extended special thanks to sponsors Oman Oasis for providing Water and Juice, Muscat Pharmacy for providing Pocari drink, Sweets of Oman for providing chocolates and Mr. Nagesh Shetty for arranging freezer, Times of Oman, Oman Observer, Daijiworld.Com and Mangalorean.Com for Media Coverage.
Report By: Koni Prakash Naik, Muscat
– Pictures By: Hemanth
