Doha: The ATS-Tulu Koota Qatar (TKQ-ATS) emerged as the champion defending SKMWA team in the Third Peace Trophy-2017 Kabaddi Tourney final held at the Al Jazeera Academy on Friday, January 13. 
The tournament was hosted by South Kanara Muslim Welfare Association (SKMWA), a socio-cultural association affiliated to the Indian Embassy. TKQ-ATS defeated team SKMWA for the second consecutive year in the finals to win the prestigious tournament.
The tournament commenced with the teams lining up at the ground for the National Anthems of Qatar and India. Ravi Shetty, President of Tulu Koota; Abdulla Monu, President of KMCA; Ventaka Rao, Senior Vice President of KSQ; Naeer Pasha, President of QISF and Navanith Shetty, President of Bunts Qatar were the guests of honour present on the dais. The tournament was inaugurated by releasing doves.
ATS-TKQ, QISF, KSQ, KMCA, HSC and the host SKMWA were the teams that participated in the event. Sports Secretary Karim conducted the oath-taking ceremony for the teams. Elyas Beary, General Secretary of SKMWA, hosted the session.
Matches were played as a league and top two teams from each group qualified for the semi-finals. The semi-finals were played between ATS-Tulu Koota and KMCA and HSC and SKMWA. The most-awaited final was played between ATS-Tulu Koota (ATS-TKQ) and SKMWA. The nail biting matches kept the audience in full spirit until end of the tournament. The final matches were played for 15 minutes each with two sessions whereas all other league matches were played for 10 minutes with two sessions each.
Talented Arafath and Saleem kept the audience entertained with their running commentary while the score panel was controlled by Vijay Rai, Sunil Bhandary and Nitesh D. Sound system was provided by Anil Boloor. The referee panel was led by main referee Mansoor Inthi. The first aid team was led by Naseem Al Rabeeh Medical Centre. Abdul Rasheed and Ramachandra Shetty were the ground supporters/ coordinators.
The valedictory function was held after the final match. SKMWA President Suhaib Ahmed welcomed the gathering. Chief Guest for the evening’s prize distribution ceremony Milan Arun, President of ICC congratulated the winning teams as well as SKMWA for organising such a great event to support the kabaddi players. Ravi Shetty, MD and ATS Group and Mohammed Sherif, Proprietor, Global Sources Industrial services were the guests of honour. A memento was presented from SKMWA to all the sponsors for the event.
During this event, SKMWA felicitated Niyaz Ahmed and Ravi Shetty for winning the Rajyotsava Award 2016 from Chikkamagaluru and Dakshina Kannada respectively. The profile of Niyaz Ahmed was read by Abdul Sattar and felicitation was jointly done by Abdulla Monu, Sheriff K and Ismail Jokatte.
Ravi Shetty’s introduction was done by Nasir Ullal and felicitation was jointly accorded by Abdul Majeed Mudabidri, Nasir Manjeshwar and Mohammed Shameem.
The “Fair Play Award” instituted in loving memory of the former vice president Late Basheer Ahmed was won by QISF.
The “best raider” of the tournament title went to Yatin Kumar from ATS-TKQ, and the “All Rounder” award was bagged by Shailesh Shetty of Tulu Koota-ATS, while the award for the “best catcher” of the tournament went to Zamer Ahmed of SKMWA. The winner’s trophy was handed over by Chief Guest Milan Arun to the winners.
Abdul Majeed Hydros compered the prize distribution ceremony while prominent member and past president of the Association and Sports Secretary Abdul Kasim Udupi concluded the event with a vote of thanks.
All Karnataka-based association presidents and executive committee members witnessed the tournament. Hundreds of Kabaddi lovers gathered at the venue to watch their favorite teams in action. Many branded gifts were awarded to lucky draw winners among viewers.
Main sponsor of the event was Sameer Badruddin of Bombay Silk Centre and gold sponsors were Ravi Shetty, MD, ATS Group and Mohammed Sherif, Proprietor, Global Sources Industrial services.
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