The Don Bosco Oratory – Kuwait, a prominent and pragmatic organization in the field of sports and education concluded their 10th Annual Open Basketball Tournament for Men.
Always encouraging and pioneering the young towards athletics, the tournament’s finale was held at Indian English Academy School (IEAS), Salmiya yesterday.

The tournament that now permits each team to field one Non Indian national to participate has given a new element to the competition. This year teams showcased players of various nationals such as Kuwait, Pakistani, Jordanian, taking the competition one level higher. The officials nominated for the tournament were from the Philippines Basketball Referee association.

This years finals like the previous years was a one not to miss. And both the deserving finalist PAC-MAN and the Don Bosco Oratory (B) displayed sheer grit and determination for the golden ware in one of the most memorable and exciting finals ever played.

DBO came into the finals as the under dogs after been overpowered by Pac-Man in the group stages and besides having a lot to prove, needed a much sharper strategy to turn tables this time against the likes of Imran and Rajesh. But improved performances in the semi finals played a vital role in developing a positive mindset and attitude for the team.

But as things could be spelled, PAC MAN started the game on a dominant note, wasting no time in taking a convincing first quarter lead. DBO who came in without their play maker Srimram, who traveled on an emergency to India, were showing signs of his importance. However it was DBO’s inspirational and unstoppable center-forward, Nimar, along with Michael who took charge with some fine defensive and attacking strategies that lead to surprising comeback. And a brilliant Third quarter by DBO sealed the game in their favor as the closing scores read 60 – 52.

It was a well deserved victory for the DBO, who have clinched the golden ware for the first time in 10 years.

The third and forth place game played between DBO – A and Street Squad was dominated by Street Squad from the very start. Powerhouse of the Street Squad, Titi and Melvin, lead from the front and ensured they maintained a convincing 13 points lead through out the match. At the final hooter the match ended 62 to 39. The young DBO team, although brimming with talent had a lot to learn from their mistakes and will hopefully come out sharper in the next tournaments.

(a) Abel (DBO –A) and (b) Anwar (Pac-Man) were announced as Promising players of the tournament and The Player of the Grande finale was awarded to Nimar of DBO – B. Our chief guest Rev. Fr. Francisco Pereira – sdb was the Chief Guest for the event.

Next year DBO promises a whole lot of changes to the court and tournament to make the championship more competitive and exciting. The organizers thank the School for the premises and their tournament sponsor Mr. Cliff Sequeira for his support.