KIFF LEAGUE COMPLETES 1ST
PHASE FOR LATE JP D’MELLO ROLLING TROPHY FOR SEASON 2012-2013. 8 TEAMS QUALIFY
FOR QUATERFINALS.
After grueling 2
months of intense action sometimes amidst unforgivable climatic conditions,
Kuwait Indian Football Federation completed the 1st phase of its
prestigious League for the Late JP D’Mello Rolling Trophy for season 2012-2013
held at the MOH Sabah grounds in Shuwaikh, Kuwait.
The League phase took
off on 5th October 2012 and culminated on 7th December
2012. 18 clubs affiliated to KIFF for season 2012-2013 displayed their grit and
determination continuously for two long months in the round robin league format
to qualify for the quarterfinal knockout stage wherein only 8 teams came out
trumps. 33 matches were played and 86 goals scored. 33 Man of the Match awards
sponsored by Integrated Logistics were presented by different prominent
personalities to the players who performed their best on the day. Housie
Snowball (bingo) with a special prize of an air ticket on sector Kwt-Mum-Kwt on
Jet Airways sponsored by Al Qatan Travels is carried forward to the final
stage.
Indian Strikers |
Real Betalbatim |
The following clubs
have qualified to the quarterfinal stage. Group A Indian Strikers & Real
Betalbatim, Group B Navelim Youth Center and Kerala Challengers, Group C United
Friends & Kuwait Goan Association, Group D AVC- Kuwait & GOA Maroons.
The matches were supervised expertly by Indian Football Referees
Association-Kuwait (IFRA) and most noteworthy that all matches were conducted
with utmost refereeing precision applying the latest FIFA approved laws of the
game. IFRA is an Indian professional refereeing body in the State of Kuwait and
once of its kind in the entire Gulf region.
It may be noted that
Kuwait Indian Football Federation is the only professional Indian expatriate
federation in the entire Middle East conducting football activities with
registered players on their rooster and also supported by GFA and AIFF. More
than 300 players spanning the entire country of India ply their trade with KIFF
in the current season. Elections are held every year at the AGM to elect a new
managing committee which oversees the footballing activities and the current
season 2012-2013 is led by Mr. Fidelis Fernandes as its President.
The second and final knockout stage will begin in May 2013
before the season ends in June 2013. KIFF introduced the fair play rules for
the Fair Play Trophy to make the game more palatable to the fans and the clubs
and the final results will be declared at the culmination stage in June 2013.
All the matches held as of todate have been played in a true sportsmanship
spirit by all the affiliates.
Navelim Youth Centre |
Kuwait Goan Association |
The KIFF Managing
Committee for season 2012-2013 is headed by the Hon. President Mr. Fidelis
Fernandes (KGA) along with Hon. Vice President Mr. Derrick Gomedes (RBFC) Hon.
Gen. Secretary Mr. Praveen Kumar (Sparx) Hon. Sports Secretary Mr. Kevin Vaz
(AVC) Hon. Treasurer Mr. Adly D’Lima (UG) Hon. Registrar Mr. Stevin Fernandes
(DBO) Hon. P.R.O Mr. Julio Cardozo (GOA) Hon. Asst. Sports Secretary Joseph
Gomes (DHL) and Hon. Reliever Mr. Seby Dias (Curtocares United)
Goa Maroons |
The 18 affiliates
comprises of Goan Overseas Association, United Goans Centre, YRC Rising Stars,
Navelim Youth Center, CRC Chinchinim, Curtorcares United, United Friends Club,
Kuwait Goans Association, FC Sparx, Indian Strikers FC,DHL Football Club, AVC
Overseas Sports and Cultural Association, Skynet Raiders Soccer Club, Santos
United, Don Bosco Oratory, Malabar United FC, Real Betalbatim Football Club and
Kerala Challengers.
As KIFF league
takes a breather till May 2013, three 11 a side tournaments, three non regular
tournaments organized by different affiliates and Veterans tournament organized
by KIFF and all affiliated to the Federation will be held during this period and all the
matches will take place at the MOH Al Sabah grounds.
Report by: Xavier Furtado
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