Don Bosco lift coveted CRC Trophy

20^th Edition 9-aside Football Tournament

Don Bosco lift coveted CRC Trophy

Kuwait: Don Bosco Oratory emerged champions of the 20^th Edition CRC Chinchinim 9-aside Football Tournament beating Skynet Raiders in the tie-breaker in the finals played at MoH grounds, Shuwaikh.

The tie-breaker was enforced after the teams failed to break the deadlock in a pulsating final. Don Bosco turned out better shooters from the spot. Godfrey Aguair and Roney excelled for Don Bosco, while Skynet goalkeeper Melvin showed immense reflexes throughout the tournament.

Earlier, in the semifinals, Don Bosco defeated Indian Strikers while Skynet Raiders overcame inform AVC to reach the finals.

A number of dignitaries and presidents of participating clubs attended the finals.  Glittering prizes and trophies were awarded to the winners and runners-up.

Samson of Skynet was awarded Man of the Match while Godfrey Aguiar was adjudged best defender of the tournament.

CRC Chinchinim President Mr. Bosco Leitao spoke on the occasion and also proposed a Vote of Thanks. Vice President of the CRC Chinchinim Mr. Venancio Pereira, Anthony H. Viegas – Sports-Incharge, Gen. Secretary Mr. Olvin Leitao, Lester Fernandes – Team coordinators, Anthony Fernandes – Team Manager, and other members of the club were also present on the occasion.

Mr. Aleixo Minguel Fernandes, CRC Chinchinim’s longest serving player and member was felicitated on the occasion at the hands of Mr. Olvin Leitao.

The prestigious and popular CRC established 'Athlete of the Year' award instituted since 1994 was presented to Mr. Fidelis Fernandes, President of Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF), for yeomen services rendered in the promotion of football among Indian expatriates.

The award was presented at the hands of CRC Chinchinim President Mr. Bosco Leitao.

Fidelis Fernandes awarded Athlete of the Year

Fidelis Fernandes hails from Colva, Salcette, Goa and has been President of KIFF for 4 consecutive years. He is associated with KIFF for several years in various positions and has been elected in the past to executive committees of New Goan Overseas Association (1987), Goan Welfare Society (GWS) (1989), Colva United Centre-Kuwait (2005), Kuwait Goan Association (KGA), among others.

Though he is not a sportsman himself, during his younger days till now, Fidelis has been prominent as a well known sports administrator. Throughout his career in Goa,  in his village, he was known to organise sports events at every level --  and mainly in his village school Infant Jesus High School.

He was elected general secretary of Sporting Club of Colva, back home in Goa, in the year 1973.

Inheriting his father’s aptitude for sports, Fidelis embarked in the promotion of Football among expatriates.  His major step in this direction was the formation of one sports body called New Goan Overseas Association (NGOA) to promote football.  In 1990, under his Presidency, NGOA football team created a unique record by being the first Kuwait Goan team to play exhibition matches in Bahrain.

Fidelis came into more limelight as an able sports administrator after the invasion and liberation of Kuwait when he joined Goan Overseas Association as its Sports Secretary.  He helped Goa Maroons to develop vastly and win laurels in Kuwait and elsewhere in the Gulf.  He organised an athletic event in 2002 at Sour grounds for Indian students studying in different Indian schools in Kuwait. In 1995 he joined KIFF and in 2003 under his initiative, KIFF invited All India Football Federation secretary Mr. Alberto Colaco to visit Kuwait to witness KIFF finals.

In 2009, Fidelis was elected as president of KIFF and he is still occupying the hot KIFF presidents post with very great efficiency uniting not only Goan but also other Indians under one banner.

Apparently, Fidelis is also the founder President of the Konkani Heritage Kuwait (KHK) which has, in the past, presented Konkani tiatrs, one-act play competitions, singing competitions, and Konkani ‘songit sanz’ (musical) shows in Kuwait under his able direction.

Following is the list of 'Athlete of the Year' award winners. 
1. Alcantra Barretto (Navelim Youth Centre) -1995 
2. Francis Machado (CRC Chinchinim) - 1996 
3. V.K.Vohra (ex-President of KIFF) - 1997 
4. Inacio Faleiro (ex-President of KIFF) - 1998 
5. Tony Coutinho (GOA Maroons) - 1999 
6. Judas Fernandes (CRC Chinchinim) - 2000 
7. Cajetan Godinho (Veterans XI) - 2001 
8. Joseph Salema (United Goans Centre) - 2002 
9. Sarto Baptista (United Friends Club) - 2003 
10. Gasper Crasto (Navelim Youth Centre) - 2004 
11. Gajendra Pillay (GOA Maroons) - 2005 
12. Tony Dias (ex-President KIFF & Santos FC) - 2006 
13. Julio Cardoso (GOA Maroons) - 2007 
14. Tony Gonsalves (United Goans) - 2008 
15. Avelino Dias (Navelim Youth Centre) - 2009 
16. Anthony Rebello (Curtorcares United) - 2010
17. Americo Fernandes (Navelim Youth Centre) – 2011

18. Fidelis Fernandes – 2012-13

About CRC Chinchinim

Cultural and Recreational club of Chinchinim as the name indicates is an organization for Chinchonkars based in Kuwait.

Founded in 1992, by only a handful of Chinchonkars, CRCC Kuwait started initially as a Football club. At the same time they also founded the CRC football tournament also known as the BBK trophy because of the financial backing by the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait.

The club also organizes annual picnics for its members and their families in addition to other get-togethers held during the year.

Remarkably, CRCC Kuwait has only had two presidents since its birth. Anselmo Furtado and Bosco Leitao. They, along with the backing of other committed members, have helped make the CRCC name one of class and prestige.

From the very beginning CRCC had established a scholarship fund for the bright and upcoming students of the Chinchinim village. This scholarship was awarded to Chinchinim student toppers in all the various schools in the village back home.

In addition to helping the village, the club has also aided other organizations when in need. This has not been limited to Goan organizations or needs only. The club also looks after its members in Kuwait and uses its collective influence to assist everyone.

Report by: Gaspar Crasto / Kuwait