Oman Wires It's all about Oman
Chief guest H E Indra Mani Pandey, India’s Ambassador to Oman, presided more than the festival and his graceful character added glamour to the occasion. Captain Talib al Wahaibi, chairman of Oman Hockey Association and a dynamic sports character, was the guest of honour.
Sheikh Soud al Rawahi yet another respected sports administrator who was the former vice president of the Oman Olympic Committee as nicely as president of Oman Football Association and Oman Athletic Association was also a guest of honour. Syed Anwar Ahsan, a major cricket official and common manager of Raha Poly Products, was an esteemed guest. He has been a powerful supporter and sponsor for the previous numerous years.
In a most uncommon and noble gesture, Dr Narendra Batra, President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and Dato Sree Tayyab Ikram, CEO of Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) and member of FIH Executive Committee, had sent greetings for the good results of this Republic Day Hockey Festival in a joint message to the organisers. This is the second time that the FIH has recognised the Hockey Festivals getting organised below the patronage of the Indian Embassy in Muscat by the Friends of Naqvi Group and Team Coorg.
The festival commenced with the rendering of the National anthems of the sultanate and India by the Students Musical Choir of Indian School, Seeb. Deeba Hasan welcomed the distinguished guests. S A S Naqvi, chief organiser escorted H E Pandey along with the guests of honour for the introduction of the teams which incorporated Team Coorg Muscat, Oman Veterans XI, UTSC, Indian Schools, Seeb Boys and Girls, Indian School, Ma’abela Boys and Girls as nicely as the Musical Choir.
The organisers also honoured distinguished personalities from the Indian neighborhood for their meritorious solutions and contributions. H E Pandey presented mementos to the guests of honour.
H E Pandey presented the awards. Dr Benny Panakkal, eminent chief cardiologist and healthcare director, Badr al Samaa Hospital was honoured for his humanitarian solutions in the healthcare field. Dr Satish Nambiar, chairman of Indian Social Club and a nicely-recognized figure who has been serving the Indian neighborhood for the previous 30 years, was honoured for his selfless contribution to the society. S Inayat Naqvi, former National Hockey level player from India, who specially flew in to help in organisation of the festival was also honoured.
Information Source: Muscat Daily
