71st Indian Independence hockey festival held
MUSCAT: The hockey festival organised for the 12th year in row on the occasion of the 71st Indian Independence Day concluded with a grand celebration at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher last Friday.
The event was organised by Team Coorg and Friends of Naqvi group under the patronage of Indian Embassy and with the support of Oman Hockey Association. Sushma Pandey, wife of Indian Ambassador Indramani Pande, was the chief guest distributed the prizes.
Dr Narinder Batra, President of International Hockey Federation and Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) CEO Dato Sree Tayyab Ikram, had sent a joint message of greetings on the occasion.
Team Coorg Muscat edged Oman Veterans 1-0 to win the Independence Day Cup 2017.
The Ambassador’s Cup was claimed by Ambassador’s XI.
A women’s exhibition match was played between Indian School Al Seeb and Indian School Mabella teams.
Hockey India associate vice-president Devender Pratap Singh Tomar and Madhya Bharat Hockey Association manager Niranjan Singh Gurjar, were the guests of honour.
Dr Wahid al Kharuosi, Chairman of Oman Cancer Association who also served as the president of Asian Federation of Sports Medicine, Oman Hockey Association Chief Talib bin Khamis al Wahaibi, Indian Social Club Chairman Dr Satish Nambiar, Yasser Abdullah al Halwani, Vice-Chairman of Ahli Sidab Club interim committee, and Oman Hockey Veterans member Mustafa al Lawati were the other guests of honour.
Mustafa al Lawati, on behalf of Oman Hockey Veterans Committee, honoured the organisers Bellu Kuttappa, Osama Rawat, and SAS Naqvi with glittering traditional Omani swords and khanjars. Mustafa had contributed gift coupon of RO 100 from Mona Lisa for the school participants.
Dr J Retnakumar, Managing Director of cultural organisation ‘Bhavalaya’ was honoured for his contribution to the traditional arts, culture and music.
The principals of Indian schools were feted. DN Rao principal of ISWK, Ravi Jayanthi, president, School Management Committee of Indian School Al Seeb, were present.
Hockey enthusiast Mohammed Punjabi and sports commentator Thacher were presented mementos.
The youth awards, for the talented youngsters of the Indian community, went to tennis and table tennis player Sanskar Dubey and athlete Antonio Thomas Biju.
This year’s festival is mainly sponsored by Future Group of Companies and supported by Bank Muscat, Khimji Group, Raha Poly Products, Oman United Insurance, Mohammed Rafiq and Partners, Al Ansari Group, Muscat Services LLC, Al Omaniya Financial Services, Future Plastics, Muscat Pharmacy (Pocari Sweat), Femec, Quality Printers and Oasis Water. Rafiq Saleh