KIFF SEASON 2013-2014 KICKS OFF ON 13^th SEPTEMBER 2013

As the Final countdown approaches the masters of Indian expatriate soccer community in the Middle East, Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) are all geared to usher in the new season on 13^th September 2013. Europe has started its leagues which keeps majority of us glued to our TV sets on Saturdays and Sundays leaving Friday the most desired of the days in this tiny oil emirate unoccupied till now for most of the soccer loving Indian residents. For the idle critic the various world soccer leagues are elite with no comparison, but the passion for the game on match day is no different when it comes to soccer being organized by Kuwait Indian Football Federation in Kuwait (KIFF). For the supporters and club owners the tension and chaos of business days are forgotten once their team takes the field of play on Friday early mornings inspite of the unfavorable climatic conditions which prevails in this region. For the players the various uncertainties of home and away are distant during the ninety minutes of action. Soccer with a major following than any other sport on the planet ignites and douses passions. This sport has become the most enjoyable and the favorite routine of many of the Indian expats for the last three decades and to keep it going KIFF proudly announces the commencement of the season 2013-2014 on 13^th September 2013 at the Al Kazima grounds in Adeliya.

As per official report KIFF will start the new season with the famed KIFF League for the Late J.P. D’Mello Memorial Trophy. 16 affiliates registered with the federation are divided in 2 groups of 8 each based on seedings calculated on last season’s performance. The first phase of the league will be played on a round robin league format and the top 2 teams from each group will qualify for semi final knockout stage. In addition to the league, the federation will also conduct 11 a side tournaments, 7 a side tournaments, veterans tournament, Inter school tournament, KIFF day and Tie-breaker in an action packed calendar which also marks the 30^th Anniversary of the Federation. This was possible due to the concerted efforts of the President Mr. Fidelis Fernandes to start the season on time with 2 playing grounds at the start.

The first few matches will be held on Al Kazima grounds in Adeliya before heading on to the home turf at MOH grounds at Sabah Hospital and the respective affiliates are duly notified. Group A in seeded order consists of AVC Overseas Sports and Cultural Association, Malabar United, DHL Football Club, Skynet Raiders S.C, Curtorcares United, Indian Strikers, Santos United and FC Sparx. Group B in seeded order consists of Don Bosco Oratory, Kerala Challengers, Real Betalbatim FC, United Friends Club, Kuwait Goan Association, GOA  Maroons, United Goans Centre and YRC Rising Stars.

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.

The KIFF Managing Committee is headed by Mr. Fidelis Fernandes (President) Mr. Derrick Gomindes (Vice President) Mr. Agnelo D’Cunha (General Secretary) Mr. Kevin Vaz (Sports Secretary) Mr. Shyam Kumar (Treasurer) Mr. Joe Pereira (Registrar), Mr. Salvador Dias (Reliever), Mr. Domnick Pereira (Assistant Sports Secretary) Mr. Joseph Gomes (P.R.O)

Defending Season Champions AVC – Kuwait will kick start the new season 2013/2014. All the matches for season 2013-2014 will be officiated by Indian Football Referees Association (IFRA) Kuwait, the only Indian professional referees association in the Middle East region.

Man of the Match awards for KIFF league matches are sponsored by United Steel Industrial Company.

The match fixtures on 13^th September 2013 are as follows: All the matches will be held on Al Kazima grounds in Adeliya.

At 6.45 am AVC Kuwait opens with Malabar United on Ground ‘A’ and DHL lock horns with Santos United on Ground ‘B’

At 7.45 am Skynet Raiders starts duel with Indian Strikers on ground ‘A’ and Curtorcares United takes on FC Sparx on Ground ‘B’

KIFF along with its President and other members of the Managing Committee cordially invites all to witness the start of the new season on Al Kazima grounds in Adeliya on 13^th September 2013 at 6.45 am sharp. Affiliates and fans kindly contact KIFF MC members for the venue directions. Read KIFF activities online on KIFF blog and KIFF facebook page hosted by the articulate and flamboyant Julio Cardoso. Let the games begin…………………………..


Report by:  Xavier Furtado