Muscat:
Indian Ambassador XI and Team Coorg hogged the limelight at the eighth Republic Day of India Hockey Festival at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher.
The festival was organised by Team Coorg and Friends of Naqvi Group to mark the 60th year of Indo-Oman diplomatic relations and 66th Republic Day of India under the patronage of Indian Embassy and the Oman Hockey Association (OHA).
Indian Ambassador J.S. Mukul was the chief guest and OHA chairman Sheikh Mahfoodh Juma Al Juma was the guest of honour.
The festival was supported by Mohammed Rafiq & Partners LLC, Dr. Mujeeb Hussain (Amana Modern Medical Center), Sandeeep Gupta of Global Pioneer Solutions (GPS), Pocari Sweat (Muscat Pharmacy) and Quality Printing Press.
The matches were played in a festive atmosphere and hockey lovers and their families turned up in large numbers to witness the keenly fought matches.
In the first match, the Indian Ambassador XI met their match in the young Indian School Al Seeb and the full time score read 2-2. The Ambassador XI managed to retain the Ambassador Cup 2015 which they had won in 2014 also, prevailing by a 3-2 margin in thrilling penalty shootout.
In the second match, Team Coorg (Muscat) faced Beatrice Sports Club in an exciting tie for the Republic Day Cup 2015. Team Coorg met a strong challenge from Beatrice Sports Club and the final result of 3-2 in favour of the Team Coorg is an indicator of the closely contested match.
The proceedings commenced with a two minute silence in memory of the departed King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. The choir from Indian School Al Seeb rendered the national anthems of Oman and India and were awarded with certificates signed by the Indian Ambassador.
A novel competition was organised on the occasion for young students and participants for correct recitation of the Indian National Anthem and all participants were awarded certificates by J.S. Mukul and Sheikh Mahfoodh Ali Juma Al Juma.
The organisers also came up with a unique gesture to honour several personalities for their contribution to promotion of hockey — Mustafa Lawati (former OHA general secretary), Mohammed Shambeh Al Raisi (former member of FIH Development Committee), Abdul Rehman (former national coach and international umpire), Belu Kuttappa (Manager, Team Coorg), Mohammed Osama Rawat (Festival Coordinator), Shakunthala Boppanna (athlete and national player) and Mohammed Irfan (Organizing Committee). Media personalities were also honoured.
Inayat Naqvi, former Bombay XI player and national umpire, was presented with a memento for his admirable services as the trustee of the NGO Abhi Foundation for supporting under privileged children and providing them with free kit for hockey, football and athletics and appointing trained coaches for them.
The Ambassador of India expressed his gratitude for celebrating Republic Day of India and congratulated all participants, spectators and sponsors. Sheikh Mahfoodh Ali Juma Al Juma also praised the organisation of the festival and congratulated the Indian Ambassador.
SAS Naqvi, former technical advisor of Oman Olympic Committee and now a sports consultant, proposed vote of thanks and acknowledged the support and services rendered by the sponsors, participants and media, while thanking the special guests
source: http://www.timesofoman.com / Times of Oman / Home> Sports / by Times News Service / January 27th, 2015
