SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM KIFF

Winning is important...but it's not everything. Please take time to read the below quote:-

Spirit of the Game ultimately relies upon a spirit of sportsmanship that places the responsibility for fair play on the player. Highly competitive play is encouraged, but never at the expense of mutual respect among competitors, adherence to the agreed upon rules, or the basic joy of play. Protection of these vital elements serves to eliminate unsportsmanlike conduct from the Ultimate field. Such actions as blaming officials, taunting opposing players, dangerous aggression, belligerent intimidation, intentional infractions, or other 'win-at-all-costs' behavior are contrary to the Spirit of the Game and must be avoided by all players."

Julio Cardoso
Kuwait

PS:  will be on vacation from 21st Dec. until 21st Jan...will try and update as and when possible (being in Goa, that would be asking too much I guess)

KIFF LEAGUE COMPLETES FIRST PHASE

KIFF LEAGUE COMPLETES 1^ST 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 1^st 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 5^th October 2012 and culminated on 7^th 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