:::Photographs by Simon Dias:::
By Gasper Crasto / KuwaitKuwait 07/07/2010: In one of the best finals conducted by the Kuwait Indian Football Federation (K.I.F.F) for the J.P. D’Mello Memorial KIFF League Trophy sponsored by Gulf Cable and Electrical Co., neither hot weather nor the humidity prevented a dramatic finish to the grand finale.
United Friends Club (UFC) came from behind from a two-goal deficit to equalize (2-2) and clinch the title in the tie-breaker (4-2) against the young Curtorcares United.
Curtorcares United’s star players Zico and Roland Fernandes put their team forward early into the match but UFC equalized both the goals before the breather through Rosario and Godwin Fernandes. UFC won the tie-breaker after a grueling goalless extra-time. Cajetan Godinho, one of the iconic players of Kuwait playing since the inception of the league, was among the shooters spot on target for the winners.
The grand finale was played under floodlights on 2nd July 2010 at the Peace & Friendship Kazma Stadium, Adeliya, Kuwait. Earlier, a group of young girls called Crazy Girls performed a dance to the beats of the World Cup theme. Later, the finalists were escorted on the ground by the school teams and children with balloons and the Special Guest His Excellency Shri Ajai Malhotra was introduced to the players by KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes.
His Excellency Shri Ajai Malhotra, Ambassador of India was the Special Guest at the event. Speaking on the occasion Shri Malhotra said it was indeed commendable to have a full-fledged league running throughout the year outside India and applauded the KIFF for their marvelous efforts in promoting Indian football.
Shri Malhotra was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Mrs. Merlyn Fernandes. Later Shri. Malhotra released a colorful 44 page souvenir handed over by Ms Karen Nelsa Fernandes to mark the event.
Fidelis Fernandes, President of KIFF, in his speech was all praise for the tremendous support accorded by his KIFF colleagues while he thanked Gulf Cable and Electrical Company’s Bader Naser Al Kharafi, Chairman and Director, in a special way for fully sponsoring KIFF league finale and Asad Al Banwan Chairman of Kazma Sports club for providing the stadium which is one of the best in Kuwait.
The final was officiated by FIFA Referee Franky Fernandes especially flown in for the finals by KIFF. He was assisted by Derick Gomindes, Jerry Mello and P.A. Tony.
Earlier, Delhi Public School (DPS), Fahaheel beat Indian Central School, Abbasiya 3-1 in the finals of the Schools Invitation Football tournament.
Prizes and Awards
It was a feast of prizes, awards and mementos, and quality ones at that, presented during the half-time and at the presentation ceremony. There were trophies, certificates, commemorative plaques, medals, etc. The event would surely remain memorable to many youngsters as the prestige of these awards holds value and status of the awarder - the Kuwait Indian Football Federation (K.I.F.F).
Past KIFF Presidents honored
“History is written by the victors,” is a famous quote by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. It was nice to see the past presidents of KIFF being honored with commemorative plaques at the hands of H.E. Shri Ajai Malhotra. The historical presidents were V.K. Vohra (1984~1989 & 1992~1998), Agnelo Fernandes (1989~1990), Anselmo Furtado (1998~1999), A.E. D’Souza (1999~2000), Inacio Faleiro (2000~2001), Victor Mesquita (2001~2002), Lawry M. Pinto (2002~2003), Tony Correia (2003~2004), Tony Dias (2004~2005), Manuel D’Costa (2005~2006), B.M. Viegas (2006~2009) and Fidelis Fernandes (2009~2010)
Mementos to Club Presidents affiliated with KIFF
Presidents of the 10 clubs affiliated with KIFF were also honored on the occasion. These were Raymond D’Sa (Goa Maroons), Lawry Pinto (Y.R.C Rising Stars), Salvador Dias (Kuwait Goan Association), Agnello Fernandes (Navelim YC), Rajesh Bernard (Indian Strikers), Pascoal Alphonso (United Goans Centre), Bosco Leitao (CRC Chinchinim), Cajetan Pereira (United Friends Club), Amaldo Fernandes (Curtorcares United) and Tony Dias (Santos Football Club).
Other Awards
Commemorative plaques were presented to the KIFF Managing Committee members at the hands of Mrs. Aretha Fernandes, wife of KIFF President Fidelis while KIFF Vice-President Tony Correia presented the honors to players above the age of 50 years and still playing under KIFF. The icon players awarded for their contribution towards the game were James Figueira, Mauricio Costa, Julio Cardozo, Cajetan Godinho, Inacio Pinto and Anthony Viegas.
Mementos were also presented to Jose Rod and Christovam Colaco, players who have made a mark with their game but are not able to continue playing.
Bernard Fernandes did the honors of presenting a special commemorative plaque to FIFA referee Franky Fernandes along with all the KIFF appointed referees.
Fair Play Award and Seasons Champions
The prestigious Fair Play Award and the Seasons Champions Trophy was won by CRC Chinchinim. Trophies, medals and certificates were awarded to all the participating School teams, affiliated clubs.
Jose Anthony Cardozo of Curtorcares United was awarded the top scorer of the season. He was awarded at the hands of V.K. Vohra who also gifted the player with a personal award.
Remedio Fernandes of UFC was declared KIFF League Final Man of the Match.
The glittering trophies were distributed at the hands of the KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes, KIFF Managing Committee and Edwin Tavares representing Gulf Cable and Electrical Co. Earlier Tony Correia proposed a vote of thanks.
DJ Mario provided scintillating music throughout the evening while the function was compered by Gasper Crasto. On behalf of KIFF he thanked the media especially Arab Times, www.goa-world.com, www.indiansinkuwait.com, http://mangalorean.com, etc, for exclusive coverage of the tournament.
J.P. D'Mello KIFF League
The KIFF League played under the auspices of Kuwait Indian Football Federation (K.I.F.F) and officiated by KIFF referees provides Indian players with the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition, while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play -- in perhaps one of India's only 11-aside recognized league abroad.
The Kuwait Indian Football Federation (K.I.F.F.) established in 1984 controls the League and Tournaments organized by clubs affiliated to KIFF.
The J.P. Memorial Rolling Trophy - KIFF League is named after late Jerome Pascoal D’Mello (popularly known in India and Kuwait as J.P).
The late J.P. D'Mello, founder President of the Association was the one instrumental in forming the current Kuwait Indian Football Federation (K.I.F.F). His memory has been justly kept alive by KIFF through its affiliated Indian football teams/clubs/associations by naming the KIFF League after him.
D’Mello was an ex-FIFA referee, Member of Asian Football Confederation Referees Committee and Ex-Hon. Secretary and Member of Bombay Referees' Association. A prime architect in conceiving the idea of forming KIFF, D’Mello who lived in Andheri East, Bombay left for a heavenly abode in 1994.
KIFF Managing Committee Members for 2009-2010:
President – Fidelis Fernandes (Kuwait Goan Association)
Vice President – Tony Correia (GOA Maroons)
Treasurer – Pascoal Alphonso (United Goans Centre)
Sports Secretary – Bernard Fernandes (Navelim Youth Centre)
Registrar – Nicholas Rodrigues (United Friends Club)
PRO – Seby Dias (Curtorcares United)
Reliever – Nester Coutinho (CRC Chinchinim)
The Champions:
United Friends Club: Joaquim Pillai, Peter D’souza, Maurice Simoes (captain), Teotonio Fernandes, Darwin D’cruz, Joaquim Rodrigues, Antonio Fernandes, Remedio Fernandes, Godwin Fernandes, Rosario Fernandes, Ubed Karakhil, Cajetan Godinho, James Rebello, Alino Mendes, Filipino Vaz, Derrick, etc.
Team Manager: Mr. Nicholas Rodrigues
Runners-up
Curtorcares United: Francis Fernandes, Savio Rebello, Roland Fernandes, Rony Dias, Minguel Mouro, Sebastiao Fernandes, Zico Fernandes(Captain), Jose Cardozo, Francisco, Christovam Vaz, Felton, Olave, Clinton Coelho, John Vaz, Benjamin, RV Murthy, Mario Viegas, Camilo and Laurent Furtado.
Team Manager: Mr. Seby Dias
:::The above news was published in Kuwait's Arab Times, Kuwait Times and on different websites:::