Fog Lane Park , Manchester - Report by Sujith Rodrigues
It is said, “Talent Wins Games, but Teamwork and Intelligence Wins Championships”, in that spirit the Konkani cultural association of Manchester United Kingdom (KCA UK) successfully conducted the annual sports meet 2023 for its members on June 3rd, 2023, at Fog Lane Park in Manchester. The sports meet this year too as in the past saw enthusiastic patriation from great numbers from Konkani speaking families living in midlands & northwest towns of England & ushered a great sense of community bonding in the country
The mega event began with a prayer invoking God’s blessings followed by Zumba display by all age groups led by passionate instructor Steffi Martis
The President Marina Monis extended a cordial welcome & introduced the KCA committee to the participants. The sports day was officially declared by announcing the health & safety rules governing the event of the day by Reena Pinto.
All the participants actively participated in the sporting extravaganza with zeal and enthusiasm wearing the KCA T-shirts organised for the event. A total of 150 members participated in various sports & track events such as cricket, throwball & running races planned for all ages throughout the day.
Match officials Milton Dsouza, Valerian Dsouza, Ronald Lobo, Joseph Sequeira, Stany Mendonca, Lainet Pinto, Arshiya Pereira, Savitha Dsouza along with their team took care of umpiring, referees, live scoring of all the sports events. Tariq lodi & Austin Rodrigues kept audience engaged from start to finish with their quality commentary with a sense of humour.
KCA Music band led by Mukesh a well-known Bollywood artist in UK along with Rajesh Mascarenhas & Clifton Fernandes kept the music flowing throughout the day cheering the crowd with live singing by the popular singers of KCA. A delicious lunch was served to all the members which was organised by Santhosh Pinto.
Coelho's Clicks – Wilson captured the lively moments of the entire sports event.
The event also included games for children under seven categories which was conducted by Sonal Mendonca. It was a delight to see the excitement with which children challenged themselves to compete variety of races such as relay, fun games and running race. All children were presented with medals and sweets.
In the evening, the award presentation ceremony started with thanks giving by Anthony Mary in her thank you note she expressed her gratitude to Manchester council, Jyothi Mendonca for organising breakfast & snacks, Laveena Monis, Vimala Chinappa & Sharon Sequeira, Lainet Pinto & Reena Rodrigues for providing tea & snacks. A special thanks to Santhosh Pinto for arranging the sound system for the event, Stany Rodrigues & Vinod Dsouza for their impressive work in ground set up & managing the ground safety & Ronald Lobo for budgeting & raising the funds for the event; not but least Diana Monis for being an event first aider.
KCA applauded the commitment and dedication of all its members, especially Joseph Sequeira who spearheaded the sporting day meticulously, well-wishers, participating teams, match officials, umpires, referees, volunteers who worked hard to organize an event of this magnitude and make it a memorable day for everyone. Sujith Rodrigues compered the valedictory programme.
The winners of the various sport events & outstanding players were awarded with trophies & medals. The racing events were honoured with Bronze, silver & Gold medals. All the Children below 7 years were awarded with a medal for their impressive participation in the children’s games.
The following are the Winning teams & solos for each sports & track category
Cricket
Winners: Team 1 captain – Mr Arun & team
Runner up: Team 2 Captain – Mr Jamesion & team
Player of the Match – Mr Rachit Patel
Throwball
Winners: Marina Monis & team
Runner up: Anthony Mary & team
Player of the Match – Laveena Monis
Track Event – Women & children
Race below 13 Years
Gold – Raizel Rodrigues
Silver – Leanne Fernandes
Bronze – Melisa
Race Teens
Gold – Richelle Rodrigues
Silver – Annabella Dsouza
Bronze – Steffi Pinto
Race Women
Gold – Rita Frank
Silver – Reena Rodrigues
Bronze – Gracy Menezes
Track Event – Men & children
Race below 13 Years
Gold – Ashton Pinto
Silver – Ashton Dsouza
Bronze – Ethan Sequeira
Race Teens
Gold – Joel Saldhana
Silver – Rishawn Dsouza
Bronze – Sean Rodrigues
Race Men
Gold – Rachit Patel
Silver – Prashanth Dsouza
Bronze – Wilson Coelho
