Loss of Soor Grounds

-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
(Took part in the 5th UG Tournament in 1983)

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

Photo courtesy: Julio Cardoso

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