Kuwait Indians 'shocked' at the loss of Soor Grounds
-gasper crasto for www.goa-world.com
Kuwait City: Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) called a special
meeting of its affiliates to discuss plans in acquiring a new football
playground for Indian footballers in view of the famous Soor Grounds being
absorbed by the Kuwaiti Government.
The Soor Grounds consisting of 2 standard size grounds in the heart of
Kuwait City have served the Indian footballing community for almost 3
decades. The ground is reportedly requisitioned by the Government to build
an Electrical Sub-station. A fence erected around the field has engulfed
more than half the two grounds making it impossible to conduct or play any
more games.
The meeting held at Village Inn Restaurant, Kuwait City on Friday 20th July
2007 was attended by top officials of Indian clubs including those that have
supported football right from the initial stages. 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 many distant friends working
in Kuwait. 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.
According to the souvenir released at the grand KIFF Nite Awards Ceremony
organized by Kuwait Indian Football Federation in May 2007, 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. In
the season ending (2006-07), there were 16 registered teams under KIFF and
over 300 registered players. Apart from the KIFF League, the United Goans
Trophy, G.O.A Rolling Trophy, NYC Rolling Trophy, Daswin Memorial Trophy and
other non-regular tournaments are annually organized by clubs affiliated to
KIFF.
Over the years, many famous personalities, VIPs, Ambassadors, Ministers,
MLAs, tiatrists, etc, have 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.
"We have no other option but to move the games to one of the Kuwaiti
stadiums," said KIFF President B. M. Viegas, "We are working out the
economics although the stadiums are going to cost us (KIFF) heavy money. We
have already approached top Kuwaiti clubs like Qadsiya, Keifan and Khaitan
and negotiations are on. Appeals are also being sent to the Indian Embassy,
All India Football Federation, and Kuwait Football Association to help in
this regard.."
Another stalwart of Indian Football administration, Lawry Pinto, one of the
persons instrumental in first creating the Soor Grounds said, "There are
die-hard footballers amongst us. It is for our Indian youth that we will
work to find a solution."
Lawry Pinto, who was out of Kuwait during the KIFF NITE celebrations, where
all the Ex-Presidents of KIFF and 'Legends of Soor Grounds' were honored,
was presented with a plaque for his commendable services towards Indian
Football. Under his leadership as President of Rising Stars Youth
Recreational Centre, from 1980 to 2005, the club reached 45 finals winning
27 championships.
Ex-President of KIFF, Mr. V.K. Vohra promised all his support saying,
"Kuwait Indian Football Federation will continue to exist - with or without
Soor Grounds. I am sure the Kuwait government will listen to our plea."
GOA Maroons President Raymond D'Sa requested everyone to join hands in this
critical situation while Shyam Kumar of Kerala Challengers voiced his advise
to all clubs to remain united till the start of the next football season.
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 in Kuwait since the start of Indian Football:
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
Apaches, Holy Cross, Sultan Centre
Ave Maria ,Incredible XI, Super United Football Association
Bayan Boys, Incredible XI, Sure XI
Blue StarS, 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
Colva Yellow, Mercedes Boys Football Club, Victoria Sports Club
Cosmos XI, Naseem Eleven, Viva Goa
D'Assisi, New Indian School, 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 2006-07:
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 MaroonsSantos, Football Club
Curtorcares United, Kerala Challengers, United Friends Club
DHL, Kuwait Goan Association,Veterans XI
United Goans Centre (Oldest Club in Kuwait).
