J.P. D'Mello KIFF League: Sponsored by Gulf Cable and Electrical Industries Co.
K.I.F.F conducts a memorable finale
Gasper Crasto for www.goa-world.com/
Kuwait: In one of the best finals conducted by the Kuwait Indian Football
Federation (K.I.F.F) for the J.P. D’Mello Memorial KIFF League Trophy sponsored
by Gulf Cable and Electrical Co., neither hot weather nor the humidity
prevented a dramatic finish to the grand finale.
United Friends Club (UFC) came from behind from a two-goal deficit to equalize
(2-2) and clinch the title in the tie-breaker (4-2) against the young
Curtorcares United.
Curtorcares United’s star players Zico and Roland Fernandes put their team
forward early into the match but UFC equalized both the goals before the
breather through Rosario and Godwin Fernandes. UFC won the tie-breaker after a
grueling goalless extra-time. Cajetan Godinho, one of the iconic players of
Kuwait playing since the inception of the league, was among the shooters spot
on target for the winners.
The grand finale was played under floodlights on 2nd July 2010 at the Peace &
Friendship Kazma Stadium, Adeliya, Kuwait. Earlier, a group of young girls
called Crazy Girls performed a dance to the beats of the World Cup theme.
Later, the finalists were escorted on the ground by the school teams and
children with balloons and the Special Guest His Excellency Shri Ajai Malhotra
was introduced to the players by KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes.
His Excellency Shri Ajai Malhotra, Ambassador of India was the Special Guest at
the event. Speaking on the occasion Shri Malhotra said it was indeed
commendable to have a full-fledged league running throughout the year outside
India and applauded the KIFF for their marvelous efforts in promoting Indian
football.
Shri Malhotra was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Mrs. Merlyn Fernandes.
Later Shri. Malhotra released a colorful 44 page souvenir handed over by Ms
Karen Nelsa Fernandes to mark the event.
Fidelis Fernandes, President of KIFF, in his speech was all praise for the
tremendous support accorded by his KIFF colleagues while he thanked Gulf Cable
and Electrical Company’s Bader Naser Al Kharafi, Chairman and Director, in a
special way for fully sponsoring KIFF league finale and Asad Al Banwan Chairman
of Kazma Sports club for providing the stadium which is one of the best in
Kuwait.
The final was officiated by FIFA Referee Franky Fernandes especially flown in
for the finals by KIFF. He was assisted by Derick Gomindes, Jerry Mello and
P.A. Tony.
Earlier, Delhi Public School (DPS), Fahaheel beat Indian Central School,
Abbasiya 3-1 in the finals of the Schools Invitation Football tournament.
Crazy Girls dance group performing before the finals
The finalists enter the field led by children
Young escorts for the teams
A section of the Peace & Friendship stadium
Schools team Indian Central School, Abhasiya
KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes receiving a memento from H.E. Shri Ajai
Malhotra
A commemorative plaque handed over to Mr. Edwin Tavares of Gulf Cable &
Electrical Co.
Mrs. Aretha Fernandes presenting a memento to KIFF Sports Secretary Bernard
Fernandes
Icon player Cajetan Godinho receiving an award from Vice-President Tony Correia
NYC President Agnello A.S. Fernandes receiving an award from KIFF President
UFC captain Mauricio receiving the J.P. D'Mello Trophy from KIFF President Mr.
Fidelis
The victorious UFC team
Curtorcares United captain Roland Fernandes receiving the Runners-Up Trophy
Edwin Tavares presenting a trophy to UFC player
Curtorcares star player Zico receiving a trophy
CRC Chinchinim President Bosco Leita receiving the Seasons Champions Trophy
(Photos by Simon Dias - Professional Photographer)
For the complete Photo Album click: http://gaspersworld.blogspot.com/
Prizes and Awards
It was a feast of prizes, awards and mementos, and quality ones at that,
presented during the half-time and at the presentation ceremony. There were
trophies, certificates, commemorative plaques, medals, etc. The event would
surely remain memorable to many youngsters as the prestige of these awards
holds value and status of the awarder - the Kuwait Indian Football Federation
(K.I.F.F).
Past KIFF Presidents honored
“History is written by the victors,” is a famous quote by British Prime
Minister Winston Churchill. It was nice to see the past presidents of KIFF
being honored with commemorative plaques at the hands of H.E. Shri Ajai
Malhotra. The historical presidents were V.K. Vohra (1984~1989 & 1992~1998),
Agnelo Fernandes (1989~1990), Anselmo Furtado (1998~1999), A.E. D’Souza
(1999~2000), Inacio Faleiro (2000~2001), Victor Mesquita (2001~2002), Lawry M.
Pinto (2002~2003), Tony Correia (2003~2004), Tony Dias (2004~2005), Manuel
D’Costa (2005~2006), B.M. Viegas (2006~2009) and Fidelis Fernandes (2009~2010)
Mementos to Club Presidents affiliated with KIFF
Presidents of the 10 clubs affiliated with KIFF were also honored on the
occasion. These were Raymond D’Sa (Goa Maroons), Lawry Pinto (Y.R.C Rising
Stars), Salvador Dias (Kuwait Goan Association), Agnello Fernandes (Navelim
YC), Rajesh Bernard (Indian Strikers), Pascoal Alphonso (United Goans Centre),
Bosco Leitao (CRC Chinchinim), Cajetan Pereira (United Friends Club), Amaldo
Fernandes (Curtorcares United) and Tony Dias (Santos Football Club).
Other Awards
Commemorative plaques were presented to the KIFF Managing Committee members at
the hands of Mrs. Aretha Fernandes, wife of KIFF President Fidelis while KIFF
Vice-President Tony Correia presented the honors to players above the age of 50
years and still playing under KIFF. The icon players awarded for their
contribution towards the game were James Figueira, Mauricio Costa, Julio
Cardozo, Cajetan Godinho, Inacio Pinto and Anthony Viegas.
Mementos were also presented to Jose Rod and Christovam Colaco, players who
have made a mark with their game but are not able to continue playing.
Bernard Fernandes did the honors of presenting a special commemorative plaque
to FIFA referee Franky Fernandes along with all the KIFF appointed referees.
Fair Play Award and Seasons Champions
The prestigious Fair Play Award and the Seasons Champions Trophy was won by CRC
Chinchinim. Trophies, medals and certificates were awarded to all the
participating School teams, affiliated clubs.
Jose Anthony Cardozo of Curtorcares United was awarded the top scorer of the
season. He was awarded at the hands of V.K. Vohra who also gifted the player
with a personal award.
Remedio Fernandes of UFC was declared KIFF League Final Man of the Match.
The glittering trophies were distributed at the hands of the KIFF President
Fidelis Fernandes, KIFF Managing Committee and Edwin Tavares representing Gulf
Cable and Electrical Co. Earlier Tony Correia proposed a vote of thanks.
DJ Mario provided scintillating music throughout the evening while the function
was compered by Gasper Crasto. On behalf of KIFF he thanked the media
especially Arab Times, www.goa-world.com, www.indiansinkuwait.com,
http://mangalorean.com, etc, for exclusive coverage of the tournament.
J.P. D'Mello KIFF League
The KIFF League played under the auspices of Kuwait Indian Football Federation
(K.I.F.F) and officiated by KIFF referees provides Indian players with the
opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition, while
emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play -- in perhaps one of India's
only 11-aside recognized league abroad.
The Kuwait Indian Football Federation (K.I.F.F.) established in 1984 controls
the League and Tournaments organized by clubs affiliated to KIFF.
The J.P. Memorial Rolling Trophy - KIFF League is named after late Jerome
Pascoal D’Mello (popularly known in India and Kuwait as J.P).
The late J.P. D'Mello, founder President of the Association was the one
instrumental in forming the current Kuwait Indian Football Federation
(K.I.F.F). His memory has been justly kept alive by KIFF through its affiliated
Indian football teams/clubs/associations by naming the KIFF League after him.
D’Mello was an ex-FIFA referee, Member of Asian Football Confederation Referees
Committee and Ex-Hon. Secretary and Member of Bombay Referees' Association. A
prime architect in conceiving the idea of forming KIFF, D’Mello who lived in
Andheri East, Bombay left for a heavenly abode in 1994.
KIFF Managing Committee Members for 2009-2010:
President – Fidelis Fernandes (Kuwait Goan Association)
Vice President – Tony Correia (GOA Maroons)
Treasurer – Pascoal Alphonso (United Goans Centre)
Sports Secretary – Bernard Fernandes (Navelim Youth Centre)
Registrar – Nicholas Rodrigues (United Friends Club)
PRO – Seby Dias (Curtorcares United)
Reliever – Nester Coutinho (CRC Chinchinim)
The Champions:
United Friends Club: Joaquim Pillai, Peter D’souza, Maurice Simoes (captain),
Teotonio Fernandes, Darwin D’cruz, Joaquim Rodrigues, Antonio Fernandes,
Remedio Fernandes, Godwin Fernandes, Rosario Fernandes, Ubed Karakhil, Cajetan
Godinho, James Rebello, Alino Mendes, Filipino Vaz, Derrick, etc.
Team Manager: Mr. Nicholas Rodrigues
Runners-up
Curtorcares United: Francis Fernandes, Savio Rebello, Roland Fernandes, Rony
Dias, Minguel Mouro, Sebastiao Fernandes, Zico Fernandes(Captain), Jose
Cardozo, Francisco, Christovam Vaz, Felton, Olave, Clinton Coelho, John Vaz,
Benjamin, RV Murthy, Mario Viegas, Camilo and Laurent Furtado.
Team Manager: Mr. Seby Dias
:::The above news was published in Kuwait's Arab Times, Kuwait Times and on
different websites:::
Record of the League since 1996-97:
SEASON
PLAYED BETWEEN
CHAMPIONS
1996/97
Navelim Y. Centre v/s G.O.A Maroons
GOA Maroons
1997/98
Navelim Y. Centre v/s United Friends Club
Navelim Youth Centre
1998/99
United Friends Club v/s United Goans Centre
United Friends Club
1999/00
League not held
2000/01
G.O.A Maroons v/s United Friends Club
GOA Maroons
2001/02
Navelim Y. Centre v/s G.O.A Maroons
Navelim Youth Centre
2002/03
Navelim Y. Centre v/s United Friends Club
United Friends Club
2003/04
Bombay Boys v/s United Friends Club
Bombay Boys
2004/05
Navelim Youth Centre v/s A.V.C. Overseas Association
AVC Overseas Association
2005/06
Navelim Youth Centre v/s GOA Maroons
Navelim Youth Centre
2006-07
Kuwait Goans v/s Kerala Challengers
Kuwait Goans
2007-08
Navelim Youth Centre v/s A.V.C. Overseas Association
Navelim Youth Centre
2008-09
Goa Maroons v/s DHL
Goa Maroons
2009-10
United Friends Club v/s Curtorcares
United Friends
KIFF Managing Committee Members for 2009-2010:
President – Mr. Fidelis Fernandes (Kuwait Goan Association)
Vice President – Mr. Tony Correia (GOA Maroons)
Treasurer – Mr. Pascoal Alphonso (United Goans Centre)
Sports Secretary – Mr. Bernard Fernandes (Navelim Youth Centre)
Registrar – Mr. Nicholas Rodrigues (United Friends Club)
PRO – Mr. Seby Dias (Curtorcares United)
Reliever – Mr. Nester Coutinho (CRC Chinchinim)
Other Links:
Legacy of Indian Football in Kuwait...24/07/2008
'Incredible' Goans of Kuwait
Churchill Bros lose in Kuwait, win hearts of Goans
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail has tools for the New Busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your inbox.
http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_1
