CURTORCARES UNITED WINS EXHIBITION FOOTBALL MATCH An exhibition football match between Curtorcares United and Kuwait Duty Free-sponsored United Friends Club was played on 31st Dec. 2004 at Soor Ground, Kuwait City, which was organized by Indian Football Referees Association (IFRA) to bid farewell to one of their founder and long time serving President, A.E. D'Souza, who also is the founder and ex-president of Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF). Before the start of the match, both the teams were introduced to A.E. D'Souza and a minute silence was observed as a mark of respect for the Tsunami tragedy victims.
Although the ground conditions were not conducive to good football, still both the teams dished out good skills and understanding, and it was UFC who took the lead in the 20th minute of the 1st half through their debutant young and promising striker Junais. Curtorcares equalized in the 2nd half through the boots of Malvyn and sealed the fate of UFC with a last minute goal by Ubaldo, who seeing the UFC goalkeeper out of position sent in a long range shot that crashed into the nets giving no chance to UFC goalkeeper whatsoever, who otherwise had a great day under UFC goalbar with good superlative saves. The final score read 2-1 in favor of Curtorcares United. Bernard Fernandes, member of IFRA which is the only qualified Indian football referees body in Kuwait, in a brief ceremony after the match welcomed both the teams players, officials and spectators and thanked them for their presence for the smooth conduct of this event, inspite of their busy commitments during the festive period. Jenifer Rodrigues, who also is one of the founder member of IFRA, gave a brief-up of A.E. D'Souza , who qualified as a football referee in the year 1964 and served Indian football for many years before coming to Kuwait in 1980. A.E. D'Souza alongwith the FIFA referee late J.P. D'Mello, Lorry Pinto, Francis Carvalho, Oscar Gomes, Lawrence Rato, and others was instrumental in forming KIFF and was entrusted with the framing of the constitution and other related paper work. At the same time he formed the referees body alongwith Late J.P. D'Mello, Jenifer Rodrigues, Tony Gonsalves, Domnic Monserate, Peter Monteiro and Agnelo Fernandes (better known as 'Sheikh Agnelo') with the intention of smooth running of football activities in Kuwait for the Indian community. A.E. D'Souza was the ex-secretary and President of KIFF and IFRA, and examiner for budding and aspiring referees. He conducted periodical coaching classes for the new entrants. He in his short speech applauded the efforts of IFRA for conducting this match and thanked IFRA for honouring him with the lifetime achievement award, which was presented to him through the hands of Jenifer Rodrigues. Besides individual prizes for all players, trophies were given to both the teams through the hands of A.E. D'Souza. Winners trophy was sponsored by Hipolito Fernandes and runners-up by Kuwaiti sports center. The match was officiated by IFRA referees Diogo Rebello, Sabino Anes, Jenifer Rodrigues and Midas Fernandes. A.E. D'Souza was presented a memento on behalf of United Goans Center by its president Tony Gonsalves, who also gave a short speech wherein he highlighted the greatness of A.E. D'Souza and how the Indian community will miss his services in the years to come. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Bernard Fernandes. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gulf-goans/message/5012 Web link on IFRA: http://www.goa-world.com/goa/sports/ifra.htm __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Easier than ever with enhanced search. Learn more. http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250