Dubai, Feb 9: The annual sports event 'SMMC Sports Fiesta-2024' organised by St Mary's Mangalorean Community (SMMC) Dubai was held on Sunday January 28, at Skyline University College grounds Sharjah, promoting brotherhood among the community belonging to various parishes of UAE.

The day started with an inauguration ceremony, wherein Fr Victor Fernandes, spiritual director of SMMC Dubai, was the chief guest of the day. Hitesh Suvarna of Seamark Shipping LLC, the platinum sponsor of the event, Victor Fernandes of Ideal Loss Adjusters LLC, support sponsor and Dayan D'Souza of Daijiworld, media partner were guests of honour.

SMMC core committee member Clement Cardoza, conducted the opening prayer while Jeevan Vas, SMMC's coordinator welcomed the gathering. Fr Victor Fernandes in his address motivated participants to be confident, positive and display the spirit of sportsmanship. Veronica Mathias, SMMC core committee member carried out the oath taking. The tournament was officially declared open by Fr Victor Fernandes along with the guests of honour.

A total of 40 teams participated in cricket for men and women and volleyball for men with great zeal & enthusiasm. It was indeed a great joy to watch the teams participate in friendly and healthy manner but with a highly competitive and sportive spirit.

As per the format decided earlier in the presence of the competing teams, initial league matches for cricket (men & women) and volleyball were held simultaneously in three lush green grounds for cricket and in volleyball court.

Mangalore Strikers in cricket men, Kelarai Youth Friends (KYF) in cricket women, Leyton Team AB in volleyball (men) emerged as champions of SMMC Sports Fiesta 2024.

Traditional games were organised for children in three categories of different age groups, which were conducted by the youth wing of the community - Konkan Yuva. A team of enthusiastic and creative youth led by Viyon Viegas, carried out the proceedings. About 80 children participated and the zeal and enthusiasm of the children was a sight to behold. All the participating children were presented with medals and treated with sweets, whereas winners were honoured with trophies.

Throughout the day, supporters, guests, prominent members of Konkani community as well Fr Abid Habib, spiritual director of Pakistani community of St Mary's Catholic Church Dubai, visited the venue and were kept engrossed in the spectacular matches between various teams.

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

DJ Vinay kept the ambience lively with music flowing throughout the day and Nagesh captured the apt moments of the entire sports event.

Award ceremony was held after the conclusion of the finals of all three disciplines. The award presentation ceremony started with the felicitation of the match officials with mementoes. SMMC core committee member Savitha Fernandes conducted the vote of thanks. In her address, on behalf of SMMC, expressed her indebted gratitude to all the sponsors, well-wishers, participating teams, match officials, umpires, referees, Victoria Sports officials, SMKV volunteers, Konkan Yuva, emcees, and all those who supported to host this event successfully.

Platinum sponsor: Seamark Shipping LLC - Martin Aranha

Gold Sponsor: Ivory Grand Real Estate LLC - Michael D'Souza

Support Sponsors:

Merit Freight Systems Co LLC - Joseph Mathias
Leyton Shipping LLC - Lancy D'Souza
Ideal Loss Adjusters LLC - Victor Fernandes
Reliable Engineering & Fabrication FZC LLC - James Mendonca

Media Partner: Daijiworld.com

Young and energetic emcee, Lanita Noronha along with Viyon Veigas compered the entire event to perfection and dedicated St Mary's Konkani Community volunteers (SMKV) took care of entire arrangements.

The winners and the outstanding players were awarded with trophies.

The following are the winning teams for each sports category of 'SMMC Sports Fiesta-2024':

Men's Cricket:

Winners: Mangalore Strikers
Runner up: Falcon XI Dubai
Best Batsman: Siji Philip (Falcons XI Dubai)
Best Bowler: Sarin Joy Crasta (DMC)
Player of the Match: Ashok Mathias (Mangalore Strikers)
Player of the tournament: Jijo Kurumattahil George (Falcons XI Dubai)

Women's Cricket:

Winners: Kelarai Youth Friends (KYF)
Runner up: Hawk-eye
Best Batswoman: Joycy Fernandes (DMC)
Best Bowler: Melita Lobo (Hawk-eye)
Player of the Match: Prima Fernandes (KYF)
Player of the tournament: Joycy Fernandes (DMC)

Men's Volleyball:

Winners: Leyton Team AB
Runner up: Karaval Milan A Parker's

Best Attacker: Jan Berlin (Leyton Team AB
Best Setter: Marcus Lyle (Karaval Milan A Parker's)
Best All-rounder: John Carlo Lozada (Leyton Team AB)