Doha: ATS-Tulu Koota Qatar lifted Tulukoota’s 7th Annual Kabaddi champions trophy after defeating SKMWA team in the finals held on 27th February at the Al-Jazeera Academy ground, Abu Hamour-Qatar.
Ekalavya Awardee and 2007 World Cup Gold Medal Kabaddi Team Member Udaya Chowta was chief guest of the day. Tulukoota president Ravi Shetty delivered welcome keynote. Sports coordinator Asmath Ali and vice-president Prakash Rao escorted guests of honour, KSQ president Deepak Shetty, Bunts Qatar president Prakash chandra Ajila, SKMWA president Abdul Majid and founder member of Tulukoota Shankar Shetty.
The six invited teams Maharashtra Mandal Qatar, Alliance Project Solutions, Qatar Tamizhar Sangam, ATS-Tulu Koota Qatar, Karnataka Sangha Qatar (KSQ), and South Kanara Muslim Welfare Association (SKMWA) competed in the tournament.
The teams were taken into the ground in a beautiful procession by the tournament director and ex-president Ramachandra Shetty. Tulu Koota general secretary Kiran Anand conducted the draw of lots. Tulu Koota joint secretary Abdulla Monu administered the oath to all the captains of teams and the participants.
SKMWA, ATS-Tulu Koota, KSQ and QTS qualified for the semi-finals. The first semi-final match was played between SKMWA and KSQ, where, after some nail-biting moments SKMWA defeated KSQ by only 3 points (23-20). Another semi-final match was between ATS-Tulu Koota and QTS, where ATS-Tulu Koota thrashed QTS by 20 points (51-21).
Meanwhile Tulu Koota’s Green campaign coordinator Chaithali Suhas Shetty spoke on environment protection and pledged to save water and electricity.
The most awaited final match was held between ATS-Tulukoota and SKMWA, ATS-Tulu Koota won the Champions title after defeating SKMWA by a score of 34-18.
The program was followed by a valedictory function, President Ravi shetty, Vice-president Prakash Rao and sports coordinator Asmath Ali escorted Guest of Honour Mr. Aditya staff officer of Indian Embassy and Chief Guest Udaya Chowta to the dias. ICBF president Arvind Patil, ICC general secretary Divakar Poojary and KMCA president Niyaz Ahmed were present on the dias.
Chief guest Uday Chowta congratulated the participants as well as the winners. He thanked and congratulated Tulu Koota for organizing and inviting him as chief guest for the tournament. He urged the players to play the game to build harmony among the community members.
Members of the winning team ATS-Tulu Koota: Chandrashekar Shetty (Team Manager), Sukesh Kumar (captain), Abdul Asik Ibrahim, Sandeep Ganesh, Sudheer Lakshmana, Shailesh Kumar Shetty, Chandrahasa, Yatin Kumar Ullal, Vishal Navinchandra, Zainuabn Aboobakar and Salim.
Runner-up team SKMWA members: Abdul Kasim Udupi (Team Manager), Adam Bava (captain), Mohammed Haneef, Mohd Arief, Razak Kasim, Rasheed Abdul Hameed, Mohammed Musthafa, Mansoor, Anwar T A, Badruddin and Ismail Ziad.
Shailesh Kumar Shetty of ATS-Tulu Koota bagged ‘best raider’ of the tournament award, ‘best catcher’ was Ismail Ziad of SKMWA while the ‘player of the tournament’ title was bagged by Abdul Asik Ibrahim of ATS-Tuu Koota.
Talented Satyanarayan Hegde and Naveen Shetty kept the audience entertained with their running commentary. While Archana N Shetty and Padmashree R Shetty compered the whole day’s events.
The referee panel was led by J Antony, and he was assisted by Dony, Donald and Rifaz. The first aid medical team was led by Rehman Bantwal.
Sridhar Naik and Mohan Jeppinamogaru coordinated various activities among the volunteers.
