Bahrain Hockey Federation Open Tournament Gets Royal Patronage

Mangalore Today News Network

Bahrain, 04 June 2012: First and foremost the Don Bosco Oratory (DBO) – Kuwait team would like to thank the organizers Bahrain Hockey Federation for inviting the team to participate in their open tournament held on June 1, 2012 at St. Christopher Juniors School – Saar, Bahrain. The event was held under the patronage of Shaikh Ahmed Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, General Secretary , Bahrain Olympic Committee who was also the Chief Guest for the event. It was mentioned by one of the organizers, that the Bahrain Hockey Associations is taking positive steps towards the professional management of hockey in Bahrain. The other surprise was the UAE team (Sharjah Youth Hockey Center) a team of young UAE nationals, and it was amazing to see them perform and play good game of Hockey.

 

 

 

 In total 10 teams including teams from Qatar/United Arab Emirates/Pakistan and Kuwait participated in this tournament seeding in two pools. The competition open for all nationals and played in a 7 A side format.  Sharjah Youth Hockey Centre was the only non-Bahraini challengers in this group B includes Design hub, Royal Challengers, Aramex, and Dadabhai Travels all From Bahrain.  Public Security Bahrain, was the only Bahraini team to compete in group A with Don Bosco (red), Don Bosco (Blue) from Kuwait , Waseem Ahmad from Pakistan , Wanderers from Qatar.
 
The Waseem side was the main attraction of the day and were the heavy favorites, as their line up includes ex Pakistan nationals team captain and fellow international stars Kashif Ali and Farooq Ahmed and Olympian Nasir Ahmed.   In an interesting development, the Hockey Committee in Kuwait will meet to form a Kuwait Hockey Committee where the team could participate in such tournaments with experience players here in Kuwait who play for the various clubs.

 Dadabhai Travel Bahrain beat Don Bosco Oratory (Blue) 2 -1 to book their berth in the semi finals to play the hot favorites Waseem Ahmad Pakistan. While Don Bosco Oratory saw their dreams of reaching the Semi Finals crumble. It was in the 7th minute that Dadabhai scored from the left flank, and it was in just 4 second DBO – Blue equalized. It was in the dying minutes of the game that Dadabhai capitalized on a chance and converted the second goal that stayed 2 – 1 until the final hooter.

 The teams (DBO - Blue) were: Jayan Lewis (Goal), Lixon John Maria, Bruno Trinidad, Alexandro Gomes, Zahir, Saqib Ahmed, Mario Fernandes, Peter Fernandes, Shervin D’Souza,  Mahmoud and team Manager Christopher Fernandes.  The DBO – Red comprised of: Gracian D’souza, Leo Rodrigues, Ronny Fernandes, George Fernandes, Sunil Almeida, Munawar Almeida, Liston Raju, Lloyd Fernandes, Sean Quiney, Stevin Correia and Adrian Glovis.

The finals was played between Wanderers (Qatar) and Waseem Ahmad (Pakistan) the young side of Waseem Ahmad with star backed team was no match for the Regional champions (Wanderers) having two national stars Savio and Junaid both Mumbai lads working and playing for Qatar National side. Waseem Ahmed ( Pakistan ) beat the Qatar team 3 – 1 who were more on the defensive giving the Pakistan team to make moves and hold ball possession for most part of the game.

 

 

Courtesy: Bellevision.com