Today at 11.30 A.M. along with my colleague Fidelis Fernandes I attended the Draw of �Mini India World Cup Soccer Dubai 2004� tournament at Hotel Imperial Suites. This toument is organized by Gulf International Promotions and supported by 4 sponsors namely Pro Media which is being the main sponsor and the others are Sun & Sand Dubai, Masafi and Coco Cola. In all 20 teams have confirmedl their participation, they are from UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. From Kuwait 4 teams will participate, they are G.O.A., A.V.C., Navelim and Curtorcares while one each from Bahrain and Oman and the rest from UAE. It is a seven-a-side tournament of 10 minutes each session and all the matches will be supervised by qualified umpires. The tournament will be held at Al Wasl Ground from 3rd to 5th Feb and during the first two days the League matches will be conducted while on the third and final day the knock-out matches will be played culminating into the final. The first day proceedings will start at 5.30 as all the participating teams are required to be present on the field for the march past. As informed by the organisers, The tournament is organized under the patronage of Sheikh Saeed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum who will attend the opening ceremony. H. E. Sheikh Al Maktoum is the son of Dubai Crown Pince and Defence Minister of UAE H. H. General Shaiikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Besides two of us Fidelis and myself, the draw was attended by 18 persons representing their local teams, we two of us were the only two outstation persons who were fabulously welcomed by the organizers, main sponsor and other attendees. On behalf of the organizers Mr. Raul Fernandes who is creating so much of ripples in the promotion of sporting activities in this part of the world conducted the draw and briefed the gathering about the salient features of the tournament. Mr. Raul Fernandes is a dynamic man who is constantly on his toes in the promotion of sports amongst the community members. He was also asisted on his job by Bonnie Fernandes and others who are all doing fine job. Mr. Ibrahim Almasry of the main sponsor Pro Media, in his few words said "we are proud to associate in such a sporting venture".
When I questioned Mr. Raul why this tournament is scheduled on dates beyond Eid Holidays, replied he thus �because he wanted to accommodate teams from UK, USA and other parts of the world but to my regret none of these teams have confirmed their participation�. Futher Raul said from Qatar he received a request from one Goan team to enter into this contest on condition that other team from Qatar should not be entertained and ultimately none sent their participation request.
According to the draw 20 teams have confiremd their participation and they are splitted into 4 groups as follows:
In group �A� G.O.A. Kuwait, V. Divar, Royal Meridien United Dubai, AVC Dubai and ABC Benaulim Dubai.
Group �B� AVC Kuwait, Muscat United Oman, United Gopinath Dubai, Vasco Abu Dhabi and Emirates Flight Cateering Dubai.
Group �C� NYC Kuwait, Athletico Varca Dubai, FC Siolim United Dubai, Foot-ball Club Loutolim and Sun & Sand Sports Dubai.
Group �D� Curtorcares United Kuwait, Bahrain United Young Goans, Safa Boys Dubai, EMC Dubai and Darjeeling Seven Dubai.
According to my contacts with some of the members of Goan community, all are eagerly awaiting to see this grand festival of Mini World Cup where the representation of Goans is overwhelming. I wish the organizers and all the participants total success.
A. Veronica Fernandes, Dubai.
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