the goan I network
MARGAO
KK Boys Santa Cruz broke little sweat as they defeated Mangalore Spikers 20-25, 28-26, 25-15, 25-19 to win the All India Invitational volleyball tournament, organised in memory of ex-volleyball player Xavier Dias by MB United Sports & Cultural Club, Murida, Cuncolim.
In the final at floodlit court at Murida on Sunday, Mangalore Spikers won the opening set against KK Boys but soon the Santa Cruz team swung the match their favour by winning the second set as the crowds backed the Goan team to the hilt.
Sanjith Shetty, Shudhir Shetty and Praful were the better performers for Mangalore Spikers as they won the first set. After losing the first set, KK Boys -- with former internatonal Sohan Kumar (Railways), S Mohit (ONGC) and Shubham -- smashed the backbone of Mangalore Spikers to level the second set. Set three was once again dominated by the KK Boys as Sohan Kumar and Shubham gave no chance to Mangalore Spikers to wrest the set. The fourth set saw explosive spikes from S Mohit and Shubham as the Goan team wrapped up the match and
the title.
KK Boys, Santa Cruz bagged Rs one lakh and a glittering trophy while Mangalore Spikers were richer by Rs 60,000 and a trophy. Individual prizes were awarded to: Best lifter - Vikas of KK Boys, Santa Cruz, Best defender - Vikram of Manglore Spikers, Best smasher - Shubham of KK Boys, Best player - Shubham of KK Boys, and Best player of the tournament - Rakash of Manglore Spikers. All were awarded a cash prize of Rs 5,000 each.
Sammy Tavares, Deputy Suptd of Police, Crime Branch; Vishnu Dessai, Ojaswi Fal Dessai and Dielle Jade Martins were felicitated at the hands of Cuncolim MLA Clafasio Dias. Later Dias gave away the prizes in the presence of Police Inspector Santosh Dessai, Tony Fernandes, Benjamim Silva. Sudesh Bhise handed over the runners-up trophy.
