Kuwait Indian Football Federation

Monday, June 3, 2013

INDIAN STRIKERS AND NAVELIM YOUTH CENTRE IN KIFF FINAL

J.P.DMELLO ROLLING TROPHY

INDIAN STRIKERS AND NAVELIM YOUTH CENTRE IN FINAL

Sunil Chhetri to grace finals at Al-Qadsyia Stadium

Navelim Youth Centre trashed United Friends Club 5-0 and Indian Strikers edged Goa Maroons 2-0 in semi-finals of KIFF league for the J.P. D’Mello Trophy organized by Kuwait Indian Football Federation and played last Friday at the MOH Grounds in Shuwaikh. The final of this prestigious year long tournament played under the auspices of KIFF and officiated by the Indian Football Referees Association will be held at the Qadsyia Stadium on Friday, 14^th June 2013 at 6:00pm. The tournament is sponsored by Gulf Cable Electrical Industries Company.

NYC won 5-0

In the first semi-final, Navelim Youth Centre boosted by the presence of playmakers Bernardo Pires and Sanford Cardoz in midfield and backed by the likes of Duarte Ferrao and Alfred Pires in defense have jelled well as the season has progressed and have peaked at the right time making them firm favorites against Indian Strikers FC the first Keralite team to play the final of the KIFF league. United Friends Club who have featured regularly in the last four had no answer to the Navelim onslaught with man of the match Simao Gauncar feeding his teammates to score at will. Sanford scored the first from a goalmouth melee and Bernardo made it 2-0 when he latched on to a sublime pass from Simao to score one of the goals of the tournament. Bernardo scored again and Cruzedio and Joaquim completed the rout. The match was officiated by Philip Ferrao in the centre and assisted by Francis and Alvaro on the lines. Franky Sequeira a former KIFF member on a visit to Kuwait gave away the Man of the Match trophy to Simao Gaunkar of NYC.

Cleevan DÇunhabecame the youngest player to represent a team in the KIFF League when he came in as a second half substitute for Goa Maroons. Cleevan is only 13 and has a bright future ahead of him

Anasameen was declared Man of the Match and received his award from Xavier Furtado the Vice President of AVC Sports and Cultural Association.

UFC LOST 0-5

Bernardo latched on to a sublime pass from Simao to score one of the goals of the tournament.

The match was officiated by Sarto Baptista and he was ably assisted by Christopher Fernandes and Vincent Pereira on the lines.

Franky Sequeira a former KIFF member on a visit to Kuwait gave away the Man of the Match trophy to Simao Gaunkar of NYC.

In the second semi-final, former champions Goa Maroons were left ruing the numerous chances missed in the first half by their forwards Joe Gomes and Durvesh as Indian Strikers scored just before half time when their star forward Amasameen struck from a counter attack to send shockwaves in the Maroons camp. Anthony Adimai and Roy Pathroso playing their hearts out literally took Maroons out of the equation when Anasameen scored again in the 10^th minute of the second half from a brilliant back heel pass by Biju. Goa Maroons missing the presence of Steven Rodrigues, who was out with two yellow cards have only themselves to blame as chance after chance went begging. Young Cleevan DÇunha, Larry and Roger coming in as second half substitutes failed to make a difference for Goa Maroons and in the end Indian Strikers FC won comfortably. The match was officiated by Sarto Baptista and he was ably assisted by Christopher Fernandes and Vincent Pereira on the lines. Anasameen was declared Man of the Match and received his award from Xavier Furtado the Vice President of AVC Sports and Cultural Association.

The finals between Navelim Youth Centre and Indian Strikers promises to be an exciting affair with a buildup of the Goa versus Kerala angle and is expected to be well attended with both teams having tremendous support and will be played on 14/6/2013 at the Al-Qadsyia Stadium (Hawally) at 6:00pm. The final will be graced by H.E the ambassador of India to Kuwait Shri Satish C. Mehta as the chief guest, Mr. Naser Omran Kanan of Gulf Cable Electrical Industries as the guest of honor and flamboyant and popular soccer star and India football team captain Sunil Chettri. .

Report by:-

Julio Cardoso

Kuwait

Sunday, May 19, 2013

GOA MAROONS, UFC, NYC AND INDIAN STRIKERS IN LAST FOUR

J.P.DMELLO ROLLING TROPHY

GOA MAROONS, UFC, NYC AND INDIAN STRIKERS IN LAST FOUR

In exciting quarter final matches of KIFF league for the J.P. D’Mello Trophy organized by Kuwait Indian Football Federation and played last Friday at the MOH Grounds in Shuwaikh, Goa Maroons upset Kerala Challengers 3-2 while Navelim Youth Centre edged AVC Sports & Cultural Association 1-0 and Indian Strikers trashed Kuwait Goan Association 5-2 to join United Friends Club in the last four.

Indian Strikers

In the first match of the day, KGA and Indian Strikers started and ended the first half on equal terms with the score level 2-2; before Indian Strikers went on to add three more in the second half to take the game away from KGA. Agnelo Martins and Cheslee scored for KGA while Aiva Sameen and Roy Pathroso scored two each for the winners and Sainudeen scored one. Roy Pathroso was declared Man of the Match and received his award sponsored by Integrated Logistics Company, from the hands of Indian Strikers President William Stronach. The match was officiated by IFRA officials, Francis Fernandes, Tiago and Julio Cardoso.

Goa Maroons

Roy Patroso of Indian Strikers receiving his Man of the Match award from William Stronach

Gaby of Goa Maroons receiving his Man of the Match award from Tony Gonsalves

Navelim Youth Centre

In the second match at 8:45am, former champions Navelim Youth Centre took one step closer to the final when they edged strong contenders AVC 1-0. The all important goal was scored by Cruzedio in the second half when he latched on to a pass from new signing Sanford Cardozo to side step Vincy in the AVC defense and score past the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Alvaro Dias to set up a mouth watering semi final clash with UFC. United Friends Club (UFC) last week had beaten Real Betalbatim in the tie-breaker after normal time had not produced any result and the man of the match was Ramson Costa the goalkeeper of Real Betalbatim and he received his award from Mario Carneiro. Cruzedio was declared man of the match and received his award from Julio Cardoso. The match was officiated by Tiago and he was assisted by Michael and David on the lines.

Man of the Match Ramson Costa of Real Betalbatim receiving his award from Mario Carneiro

Cruzedio of NYC was declared Man of the Match

In the final match of the day, 10 men Goa Maroons came from behind to shock Kerala Challengers 3-2 in an exciting encounter. Kerala Challengers got the first goal in the 10^th minute of the first half when Sumesh scored from a free kick . Maroons equalized almost immediately when Ian scored from the penalty spot after diminutive forward Joe was brought down in the box. Kerala Challengers made it 2-1 when Abdul Thuyadi beat the Maroons offside trap and scored on the stroke of half time. In the second half Maroons were reduced to 10 men when Steven Rodrigues was send off by referee Michael for a second booking and when it seemed that Kerala Challengers would qualify for the semi finals, hard working Gaby scored one of the most bizarre goal this season when he back heeled a cross from Larry to level the score 2-2 and take the game to extra time. It was in the dying minutes of extra time that Joe was again brought down in the penalty area and Ian made no mistake in scoring from the penalty spot to give Maroons a famous win and qualification to the semi finals. Kerala Challengers easily one of the strongest team in the league will rue the missed chances they had in the second half. Gaby was rightly declared man of the match and received his award from Tony Gonsalves the ex-president of United Goans Centre. The match was officiated by Michael Dias and he was assisted by Nikush and Francis on the lines.

United Friends Club

The semi finals are slated for 31/5/2013 with UFC taking on Navelim Youth Centre at 6:45am followed by Indian Strikers playing Goa Maroons at 8:45am. The finals of this prestigious tournament will be held on 14/6/2013 at one of the major stadium in Kuwait. This year’s final will be graced by the popular soccer star and India football captain Sunil Chettri who is a household name in India and overseas. Chettri was recently instrumental in helping Churchill Bros of Goa lift the I-League title and is one among only three Indian Players who had an overseas stint with foreign clubs. He first played in American Major League Soccer club Kansas City Wizards in 2010, and had a brief stint with Sporting B’s in Portugal before returning to India.

Report by:-

Julio Cardoso

Kuwait

Saturday, May 4, 2013

KIFF LEAGUE FOR THE JP DMELLO TROPHY CONTINUES

KIFF LEAGUE - SCHEDULE FOR QUARTERS / SEMIS / FINALS:-

Program before the start of KIFF LEAGUE final 2012

Last year, Arjuna awardee Bruno Coutinho was the special invitee for KIFF League final

The prestigious KIFF League for the JP D'Mello trophy which took a break to complete the regular tournaments will re-start this coming week with 8 strong teams battling it out for the final spots.

Quarters:-
1) 10/5/2013 United Friends Club v/s real Betalbatim at 6:45am
2) 17/5/2013 Indian Strikers v/s Kuwait goan Association at 6:54am
3) 17/5/2013 Navelim Youth Centre v/s AVC Sports & Cultural Association at 8:15am
4) 17/5/2013 Kerala Challengers v/s Goa Maroons at 9:45am

Semis:-
5) 31/5/2013 Winners of match # 1 v/s Winners of match # 3 at 6:45am
6) 31/5/2013 Winners of match # 2 v/s Winners of match # 4 at 8:30am

Finals:-
7) 14/6/2013 Winners of Match # 5 v/s Winners of match # 6 at 7:00pm

The grand final will hopefully be held at one of the large stadiums in Kuwait and the KIFF president and managing committee are working hard to ensure the event is will be a grand success. Watch this space for more details about pre-match program and a special surprise.

Good luck to all the qualifiers and lets all play in the spirit of the game. Cheers!!!

Monday, April 15, 2013

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

Saturday, April 13, 2013

NYC FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT , FIRST ROUND RESULTS

YRC Rising Stars

IFRA Officials

Goa Maroons

Toss time

Skynet Raiders

DHL FC

NAVELIM YOUTH CENTRE

RESULTS OF FIRST ROUND MATCHES PLAYED AT MOH GROUNDS ON 12/4/2013:-

1) Goa Maroons beat YRC Rising Stars 4-1
2) Skynet Raiders won against DHL FC 3-0
3) Sparx beat United Goans Centre 2-0

Coming Friday schedule:-

1) Kerala Challengers take on CRC Chinchinim at 6:45am
2) Curtorcares United play AVC Sports & Cultural Association at 8:15am
3) United Friends Club will meet real Betalbati FC at 9:45am

Good luck to all