-by gasper crasto
The Soor Grounds consisting of 2 standard size grounds in the heart of Kuwait City have served the Indian footballing community since 1975. The ground was requisitioned by the Government for construction a Government structure in 2007.
Being in the city, the Soor Grounds was a convenient place for football lovers to attend and watch the games. It also served as a meeting place to friends staying distant apart. People who went to church on Friday would pass to watch and support their teams.
Soor Ground football activities were started by expatriate community way back in 1975. As years went by, these activities gained momentum and slowly flourished as the sport became very popular among the expatriates. The games served as the only pass time in a country where there is little sports activity for expatriates (other than shopping).
Although there is atleast one stadium in every area of Kuwait, Indians were left to frequent the ‘desert' Soor Grounds mainly because of its ‘open' access and expediency.
It was in 1979 that a few Goan sports enthusiasts formed the United Goans Football Centre in Kuwait and the first tournament known as United Goans Football Rolling Trophy was held. The tournament was a league cum knock out tournament. The first competitive match played on Soor Grounds was between Starlites Yellow and United Goans Strikers (0 - 3). A total of 14 teams participated in this tournament. In the final, Goan Sporting Centre beat United Goans Strikers (2-1). The tournament was played on Soor Grounds, but the finals were moved to Ahmadi (KOC ground).
Since then, football was played regularly at the Soor Grounds except during invasion time. The Kuwait Indian Football Federation (K.I.F.F.) established in 1984 controls all Expatriates Indians Football activities in Kuwait.
Many famous personalities, VIPs, Ambassadors, Ministers, MLAs, tiatrists, etc, had set foot on the famous grounds as special invitees or guests to witness the games. Prominent among them have been well-known Kuwaitis, Indian Ex-Member of Parliament Churchill Alemao, Goa Minister Dayanand Narvenkar, late Fr. Freddy Da Costa, All India Football Federation (AIFF) official Alberto Colaco, visiting Goan actors, etc, etc.
With support from all circles coming up, it is evident that Indian Football in Kuwait will continue functioning among the expatriate community. However, the adventures, charm, fun and friendliness of Soor Grounds will be sadly missed.
Teams that played on Soor Grounds since the start of Indian Football
United Goans - 1979 
Friends Club - 1979
Teams that participated in the first ever Indian Football Tournament in Kuwait held in 1979 Blue Razors Salmiya Youth Tanjerenge Sporting Flying Arrows Shooting Stars United Goans Challengers Friends Club Salmiya Starlites Blue United Goans Young Heroes Goan Sporting Centre (Green) Starlites Red United Stars Goan Sporting Yellow United Goans Strikers Other teams that participated in the past Academica Flames Rising Stars Blues Ahmadi Stars Friends Club Rockets Royal XI Apache Braves Gnats Salcete United Football Club Apache Eagles GOA White Saligao Sports Club Apache Feathers Goa Youth Shining Rangers Apache Spears Goan Cultural Association Stunts Apaches Holy Cross Sultan Centre Ave Maria XI Incredible Super United Football Association (Took part in the 5th UG Tournament in 1983) Bayan Boys Incredible XI Sure XI Blue Starts Jackson XI Survivors Blue Wings (Vohra) Jai Hind Survivors Boys Own Club (BOC) Kuwait Independents Tivim sports club, Colva United Kuwait Shipyard Varca Sports Club (took part in the 7 A side tournament organised by UG in February 1985) Colva Yellow Mercedes Boys Football Club Victoria Sports Club (Took part in the Fourth Flying Arrows tournaments 1983) Cosmos XI Naseem Eleven (took part in the 1st J.S. Pereira Memorial Tournament in March 1982) Viva Goa D'Assisi New Indian School (played as a proper team in the 2nd Flying Arrows Tournament in 1982) Young Boys of Ahmadi Dynamites RAIA SPORTS CLUB Young Goans Sports Club (YGSC) Rising Stars - Youth Recreational Centre (Functioned for many years till 2005) Teams registered with KIFF for the season 2007-08 A.V.C Overseas Association Don Bosco Oratory Navelim Youth Centre Bombay Boys Sports Club Fahaheel Brothers Paradiso Football Club C.R.C Chinchinim G.O.A Maroons Santos Football Club Curtorcares United Kerala Challengers United Friends Club DHL Kuwait Goan Association. Veterans XI United Goans Centre Santos United
(Took part in the 5th UG Tournament in 1983)
Photo courtesy: Julio Cardoso