I went for my first match a couple of days ago at the Iranian Club, and I was informed that another tournament is on at the Al Nasr ground. The root of having two tournament lies in last year's final when Benaulim walked off the field when, if I remember correctly, a penalty was awarded against them. The team, I believe, was banned from participating this year. Hence, it joined some other teams to hold this Ramadan Cup tournament under the auspices of the Goan Cultural Society. The Goan organisation itself is dyfunctional. I am informed that it has no executive committee and that an advisory committee was formed to run the tournament. An association which is not active has suddenly been around from its slumber. I am told the society was the first to hold a tournament for Goans but down the line something went wrong. The all-star entertainment people stepped in to hold a tournament. Both tournaments are held nearby and the matches are almost at same times. The Ramadan Cup allows three non-Goans in each team. This has been questioned by some and also used by the management of the all-star entertainment to score over points over the society's tournament. One of the officials of all-star entertainment was quoted in yesterday's evening paper that their tournament is for Goans only. It's a very technical point and trying to highlight the Goan aspect has nothing to do with the sport. People here want some pastime because they come home early because of Ramadan. Most offices close by 3pm, and the first match starts around 4pm. A player from "A" in the Ramandan Cup can play for a team in the All-star tournament. There are different teams in both tournaments. The all-star entertainemnt official was told the reporter that their tournament is the only one where an official from the Indian consulate attends. Yeah, an official was chief guest at last year's final. Anyway, what's go great about it? Mind you, the official who came was of a lower rank than the Consul General. This is new game where the all-star entertainment want to score goals against its rival. I haven't read any statements from the society. Obviously, there is a clear divide in the sporting world of Dubai Goans. The running of the tournament by all-star entertainment too was not above board. They had absolute monopoly. Competition helps, thoug in this case the Goans are exposed through newspaper pages on what is going on in the community. Unity be damned. Those of us who sit on the stands stood go to games which they prefer. No point in pointing accusing fingers at any of the two organisers. Let's see what the new tournament throws up. Maybe another controversy, just like it happened in last year's final, could be a self-goal for the society. Enjoy the game.
Eugene __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
