KIFF HOLD AGM - FIDELIS FERNANDES RE-ELECTED AS PRESIDENT

FIDELIS FERNANDES ELECTED KIFF PRESIDENT FOR 5^th CONSECUTIVE TERM

The old Managing Committee for 2012-13 Season

On the eve of its 30^th Anniversary, Kuwait Indian Football Federation Kuwait (KIFF) held their Annual General Body Meeting on 23^rd August 2013 at the Royale Terrace Hall Salmiya and Mr. Fidelis Fernandes was elected unopposed as the President for season 2013-2014. This is the 5^th consecutive term for Mr. Fidelis Fernandes as the President of KIFF and once again the members of the federation unanimously reaffirmed its trust in Mr. Fernandes to carry out its activities successfully among the Indian Expatriate community in the State of Kuwait. The house also elected unopposed Mr. Derrick Gomindes as its Vice-President and Mr. Kevin Vaz as the Sports Secretary for the 2^nd consecutive term respectively. In addition the members also elected Mr. Shyam Kumar as the Treasurer, Mr. Agnelo D’Cunha as the General Secretary and Mr. Joe Pereira, Mr. Salvador Dias, Mr. Domnick Pereira and Mr. Joseph Gomes as Executive Members of the Managing Committee of KIFF for season 2013-2014. The elections were supervised by KIFF’s founder member Mr. V.K. Vohra .

The house also elected Mr. Xavier Furtado and Amaldo Fernandes as Auditors. The Advisory Committee members are Mr. V.K. Vohra, Mr. Raymond D’Sa, Mr. Lawrence Pinto and Mr. Tony Corriea. The Technical Committee comprises of Mr. Demin D’Cruz, Mr. Lawrence Pinto, Mr. Raymond D’Sa and Mr. Milagres Pereira. All the elected members are affiliated to KIFF registered affiliates for the season 2013-2014.

New Managing Committee for 2013-14 season

The Federation has 16 registered affiliates for season 2013-2014 comprising of AVC Overseas Sports and Cultural Association Kuwait (AVC), Curtorcares United, DHL Football Club (DHL), Don Bosco Oratory (DBO), F.C Sparx , Goan Overseas Association Kuwait (Goa Maroons), Indian Strikers Football Club, Kerala Challengers, Kuwait Goan Association (KGA), Malabar United, Real Betalbatim Football Club, Santos United, Skynet Raiders, , United Friends Club (UFC), United Goan Center (UG), YRC Rising Stars.

Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) is registered with Indian Embassy in Kuwait and the only Indian expatriate federation in the entire Middle East region which has registered players of Indian nationality on its rooster and following most of the FIFA laws of the game and supplemented by some of its own to make the sport exciting.

It has been informed at the AGM that the new season of 2013-2014 will tentatively start in the month of September 2013 and the exact dates; format and venue will be announced in due course.

Report by: Xavier Furtado

Pics by: Julio Cardoso

NAVELIM YOUTH CENTRE LIFT GLITTERING J. P. DMELLO TROPHY

NAVELIM YOUTH CENTRE LIFT GLITTERING J. P. DMELLO TROPHY

INDIAN ICON SUNIL CHHETRI GRACES FINAL

Navelim Youth Centre (NYC) inscribed their name on the glittering J. P. D’Mello Trophy when they subdued a fighting 10 men Indian Strikers FC 2-1 in the final of the KIFF League Championship organized by Kuwait Indian Football Federation and played at the Al-Qadsyia Stadium on Friday, 14^th June 2013 at 6:30pm.  The yearlong tournament featuring 18 teams from the expatriate Indian community in Kuwait was officiated by the Indian Football Referees Association (IFRA) and the final was sponsored by Gulf Cable & Electric Industries Company, Kuwait.

Section of the supporters 

A large crowd watched the game

The final got underway when the day’s dashing host Kevin Vaz the Sports Secretary of KIFF welcomed the guest and KIFF General Secretary Praveen Kumar escorted Sunil Chhetri the captain of India Soccer Team and a special invitee of KIFF to the field to take the first kick, while both captains released symbolic balloons.  Other dignitaries present in the VIP box were the chief guest first secretary Mr. Sushil Kumar on behalf of the Indian Embassy, the guest of honor, Naser Omran Kanan representing    Gulf Cable & Electrical Industries Company,  Asif Juzar owner  of Pro Sports and all club presidents.  

Sunil Chhetri addressing the crowd

Sunil Chhetri kicking the first ball

Club presidents

Players making their grand entry

VIP guests

Kiff President addressing the crowd

The guests and special invitees

Players introduction

Indian Strikers FC making their first appearance in the KIFF League final started the game on the back foot with the experienced forwards of Navelim led by the opportunistic Cruzedio Rodrigues and Simao Gaunkar   and ably supported by Sunford Cardoz and Bernardo Pires in midfield led wave after wave of attacks and it was only a matter of time before Cruzedio drew first blood when he headed in the first goal in the 20^th minute of the first half off a corner kick.  Samson who had a wonderful game, made it 2-0 from the penalty spot a little later, when defender Shihin of Indian Strikers acrobatically handled a goal bound ball , and referee Julio Cardoso had no hesitation in giving him the marching orders.

Referee Julio Cardoso escorted by two assistants Nicholas and Francis (R to L)

However after interval and with only ten men, the physically stronger and never say die Indian Strikers made a great comeback in the second half when one of their players was brought down in the box and Dustan Paul confidently converted  to give his team a glimmer of hope.  With the beating of drums and encouraged by their large number of supporters, Indian Strikers forward Roy Pathrose, Biju and Amada tried their level best to find the equalizer, but   Navelim Youth Center had other plans and their defense held firm with Man of the Match and captain Duarte Ferrao marshalling from an unusual position of central defender, thwarted all the their attempts.  The match ended 2-1 in favor of Navelim when the referee who was ably assisted by Francis Fernandes and Nicholaus Fernandes on the lines finally blew the whistle, much to the relief of the Navelim supporters.

Champions Navelim Youth Centre pose for a pic

Captain Duarte Ferrao receiving the trophy from Special Invitee Sunil Chhetri and Guest of Jonour  Naser Omran Kanan

KIFF President Fidelis offering a memento to Sunil Chhetri

Mrs. Aratha Fernandes giving away a trophy to the referee

Before the start of the final, the teams paid respect to the late J. P. D’Mello in whose memory the tournament is conducted and after the national anthems of both Kuwait and India were played, Fidelis Fernandes the President of Kuwait Indian Football Federation welcomed the guests and thanked the participating teams as well as the officiating body IFRA.   Sunil Chhetri in his brief speech thanked KIFF for inviting him to Kuwait and said he was very impressed with the way the Indian Expatriate community promoted the game of soccer in Kuwait.  

During half time, The Federation also made time to honor Mr. Raymond D’Sa the longest serving president of Goan overseas Association (Goa Maroons) for his selfless service to the community and Indian soccer while Fr. Francis (Franco) Pereira Sdb., was also felicitated for his contribution to promoting soccer among the youth and for having completed 25 years of priesthood.  Both the awards to the distinguished gentlemen were given by KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes.

Fr. Franco Pereira Sdb. being honoured

Raymond D'Sa president of Goan Overseas Association  being honoured

In the prize distribution ceremony, Navelim Youth Centre swept all the individual trophies with Man of the match being rightly won by Duarte Ferrao and given by Kevin Vaz, Best Goalkeeper Britto Pereira given by Stephen Fernandes, best defender was Alfred Pires and given by Seby Dias, best midfielder was Bernardo Pires given by Joseph Gomes and best forward was Cruzedio Rodrigues and the award was given by Mrs. Rauzat Juzar.

The runners-up and individual trophies were given away by the guest of honor Naser Omran Kanan to Dustan Paul the captain of Indian Strikers and the players, while Fidelis Fernandes and Sunil Chhetri jointly gave away the winner’s trophy and individual trophies to Duarte Ferrao of Navelim Youth Centre and their players.  Mrs. Aratha Fernandes gave away the trophies to the Referees.

AVC Sports & Cultural Association  under the captainship of Kevin Vaz were declared the ‘Seasons Champions’ and this is the 5th time AVC - Kuwait have been awarded season championship by KIFF in a span of 12 years from the club inception  . In this season AVC - Kuwait accumulated the maximum number of points to win the championship after winning the season ending NYC trophy.  The glittering trophy was collected by Alvaro Dias and given away by Mr. Sushil Kumar.  The Rolling Trophy was given away by Sunil Chhetri and collected by Vincy Pereira on behalf of his club.   

AVC Season Champions

Striker Anthony Rodrigues of AVC – Kuwait was also awarded the highest goal scorer for the season and besides the trophy given away by Praveen Kumar, Anthony also received a gold coin from the hands of Mr. V. K. Vohra. 

Anthony of AVC won the golden boot & gold coin

Real Betalbatim won fair play award for the season

Runners up - Indian Strikers

The Fair Play Trophy for being the best disciplined team during the season was won by Real Betalbatim FC and it was collected by the club president Vijay Gonsalves and given away by KIFF V. President, Derrick Gomindes .

Report by:-

Julio Cardoso – Kuwait.   julio@yousifi.com.kw

NAVELIM YOUTH CENTRE TO CLASH WITH INDIAN STRIKERS FC IN GRAND KIFF FINAL

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

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