Muscat:
Team Coorg overcame Oman Veterans XI to win the top honours in the Republic Day of India Hockey Festival at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Friday.
The annual Festival was organised by Friends of Naqvi Group and Team Coorg under the patronage of Indian Embassy.
In a closely-contested final of the Republic Day of India Trophy, Team Coorg outlasted Oman Veterans XI for a 5-4 victory and to lift the title for the second successive time. Belu Kutappa winning the best player award came as an icing on the cake for the triumphant Team Coorg.
Meanwhile, there was a double delight for Indian School Al Seeb with their boys team winning the Ambassador’s Cup for men after defeating Indian School Maabella and the girls squad lifting the Ambassador’s Cup for women by beating Indian School Maabella.
Chief guest Indian Ambassador Indramani Pandey presided over the Festival, which was also graced by Oman Hockey Association chairman Talib Al Wahaibi and former Oman Olympic Committee vice-chairman and chairman of football and athletic associations Sheikh Soud Al Rawahi as guests of honour and Syed Anwar Ahsan, an Oman Cricket official and General Manager of Raha Poly Products, as the special guest.
During the presentation ceremony, the organisers also honoured distinguished personalities from the Indian community, including Dr. Benny Panakkal, eminent cardiologist and Medical Director of Badr Al Saama Hospital, Dr. Satish Nambiar, Chairman of Indian Social Club (ISC), Leena Francis, Principal of Indian School Al Seeb. Indian School Muscat’s musical talent Santrupth Vedanthi and MK Iqbal, famous cricket coach and Ranji Trophy player from Tamil Nadu, and Inayat Naqvi, former national hockey level player from India, were also feted during the ceremony.
Mohammed Noordeen, General Manager of the Future Group of Companies was awarded the trophy and memento for being the main sponsors. The event is co-sponsored Bank Muscat, Raha Poly Products, ROCA (Khimji Ramdas Group), Monalisa Grand Mall, Mohammed Rafiq & Partners, UTSC, Team Coorg Muscat, Pocari Sweat (Muscat Pharmacy), Oasis Water Company, Al Omaniya Financial Services, Oman Hockey Association, Al Ansari Group of Companies and Oman United Insurance.
source: http://www.timesofoman.com / Times of Oman / Home> Sports> Hockey / by Times News Service / January 14th, 2018
