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Saturday, September 29, 2012

WHEN I PAY, I EXPECT MY MONEYS' WORTH

An evening out......

DRAMA IN KUWAIT: APLEA BHURGEAM SANGATAK


Had the opportunity of  watching the much touted 'Aplea Bhurgeam Sangatak' a Konkani drama staged by Dy S.P. Sammy Tavares  at the American International School, Hawally on Friday 28th September 2012 and I must say it was not such a happy experience.

Let me start with the play itself.  Although I found the story similar to so many other Tiatrs I have watched over the years, it could  still could pass off as 'satisfactory' especially given that it contained some powerful acting by Felcy as the tormented mother, Mathew, Roma, Rosaila and a couple of others whose names I do not know.  Regretfully, I cannot say the same about the comedy and I personally did not find it too funny, in spite of the best efforts of  comedian John D'Silva.  Strangely though, quite a few in the audience enjoyed it.  The songs baring one or two including one beautiful duet by the female leads, were dull and boring and I could see the audience getting restless and waiting for the next one.  For once my favourite Cajetan/Marcus/Xavier disappointed big time and left many in the audience feeling the same as me  , especially since the drama was attended by a huge crowd, probably close to 600 plus.

However, my main reason for writing this blog is not really about the drama, it more to do with the organizers and the  organizing of the drama.

Isn't it time the organizers stopped checking our patience and  started taking us a little more seriously?  The start of the drama was announced as 5:00pm and in spite of us being in the hall at 4:50pm, the show started approximately at 6:45pm (about 1 hour 45 minutes late), and to top it all, till the curtains opened we were bombarded with announcement after announcement about the availability of so called 'Original CDs' and VCDs.  There was also an announcement that video shooting is prohibited while the organizers had 3 cameras in strategic locations to actually video film the whole play.  Also every now and then someone would announce that the play is about to start and the lights would be switched off only for them to come on again...

My next issue is the interval break.  Without scant concern for the audience who were in the hall, some of them from 4:00pm, the break lasted for over an hour with further announcements about VCDs and CDs, Bingo game, auction of souvenirs and felicitation ceremonies.  The show actually ended at 11:25pm, so you do the math.

Another strange thing I found in recent Konkani Dramas is that Organizers and Tiatrists find it the best place to wash 'Dirty Linen'.  So you will find a singer (in this case a couple) who will come on stage and sing a 'Zopati' (hope I got that right)  without giving names, but rather a few broad hints.  Now tell me, if I am not aware of your drama politics, how the hell would I know who you are singing about or seriously do I really care?

I believe it's time our Konkani drama organizers and actors stop hiding behind the curtain of their love for the Konkani language and the stage, and give us our money's worth.   Most of them (actually all, and I know quite a few) are very sensitive to criticism and will rarely accept it positively to improve themselves and their art.  It's time organizers not only think of making a tidy profit, but giving the audience value for their money as well.

A friend of mine summed up last evening's drama very well.  He said: I have seen a lot of dramas by far the worst, serious thought needs to go in by the organizers.

Gentlemen, Please!!! If I have paid KD.5/- (approximately Rs.1000/-) for a ticket, damn it!!!! I want full value for my money.  Just like watching a move, not all dramas may be good, but if not anything else, at least I should enjoy the experience of a pleasant evening out.

Julio Cardoso
Kuwait
www.juliozinia.blogspot.com




Tuesday, September 25, 2012

IFRA BIDS FAREWELL TO ANTHONY D'COSTA


ANTHONY D’COSTA TO RETIRE
IFRA ORGANIZES 8 A SIDE FAREWELL TOURNAMENT

They say ‘Football is like life - it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority’ and this is exactly how one can define Anthony D’Costa who will be retiring shortly from Kuwait  and returning  to his beautiful home in Saligao – Goa after having spent 34 glorious years in this wonderful country.
IFRA members offer a Plaque to Mr. Anthony D'Costa

The Indian Football Referees Association (IFRA) last week organized an Eight A Side tournament at the Digital Grounds in Kuwait city to honour and appreciate Tony (as he is popularly known) who qualified as a football referee in 1985 with IFRA and served the Association with distinction and graduated to be a Class 1 referee over the years.

The one day open tournament which was also officiated by IFRA officials and played from 7:30am till noon featured 16 teams including one Thai team, was eventually won by DHL Kuwait who edged out Trissur Challengers in the tie breaker after normal time of seven minutes each half had ended goalless.  Skyden Boys, and CRC Chinchinim were the losing semi-finalist while the other participating teams were Goa Maroons, Real Betalbatim, Navelim, Saligao, Feni, Thailand, BM Viegas 8, Sparx, Indian Strikers, Don Bosco Oratory, Indians and Kerala Rising Stars.
The glittering trophies

Tony D'Costa being introduced to the finalists

Both the finalists pose for a pic with Tony D'Costa

Tony giving the kick off before the start of the final

During the presentation ceremony, an emotional Tony D’Costa was in tears while speaking about his many years in Kuwait.  He came to Kuwait in 1978 and first played for the famous Goan Sporting Club that won the first Indian soccer tournament organized in Kuwait, “the United Goans Trophy”, for two years consecutively.  Tony than went on to play for Incredible XI before forming his own team ‘Saligao Sporting’ and for a few years conducted the popular Ramadan inter-village tournament as well.

Newly elected president of IFRA, Francis Fernandes paid glowing tributes to Tony and appreciated his many years of dedicated service to the Association.  He presented Tony with a plaque while senior members Diago Rebello and Junifer Rodrigues presented him with a gold chain on behalf of the Federation.  Separate mementos were also presented to Tony D’Costa by Salvador Dias and B.M. Viegas. 
Referee Michael and Assistants Simon and Jose - officiated the final

Could not hold back the tears

IFRA President Francis Fernandes presents a plaque to Tony

Junifer and Diago presenting Tony with a memento from IFRA

Andy by his father's side as Tony makes an emotional speech

Besides the winners, runners up trophies and individual trophies to the finalists,   trophies were also given for the best defender (John of DHL), best midfielder (Barbosa DHL) best forward (Hemant of DHL)and best goalkeeper ( Sainudeen of Trissur Challengers).  IFRA is grateful to Vijay Gonsalves, Ibrahim Sohafi of Habchi & Chaloub and  Talat El Kaasamani for sponsoring the various trophies and to  Nikush, Fr. Franco Pereira sdb, Simon Anthony, Lloyd D’Souza and all other members and well wishers who helped make the farewell occasion a very memorable one.

Julio Cardoso
Kuwait

The runners up - Trissur Challengers with their trophies

The winners DHL Kuwait with their trophies
CRC Chinchinim

DHL Kuwait

Don Bosco Oratory

Feni

G.O.A

Indian Strikers

Indians

Navelim

real betalbatim

Rising Stars

Saligao

Skyden Boys

Sparx

Thailand

Trissur Challengers
BM Viegas 8

Saturday, September 15, 2012

KIFF LEAGUE SEASON 2012-13 SCHEDULE



SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2012

START OF KIFF 2012-2013 SEASON DELAYED

Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) regrets to inform all participating teams, players and soccer lovers that the start of the season has been further postponed and the new date will be advised shortly.  An extraordinary emergency general body meeting has been called for on the 28th of September at the Royal Terrasse Restaurant at 9:30am to resolve a few issues before the start of the new season.

As per word received from the General Secretary, Praveen Kumar, the earlier KIFF League Schedule sent out to all participating teams is now null and void.

If all goes well, the tournament will begin on 5th October 2012






The new season 2012-13 which was due to start on 14th September 2012 has now been moved to the 28th  due to unavailability of the Ministry of Health ground in Shuwaikh, as informed by KIFF President, Mr. Fidelis Fernandes.  The season with start with the KIFF LEAGUE for the JP D'Mello Memorial Trophy which will be played until mid December to complete the league, followed by three regular tournaments.



PATTERNS  FOR  SEASON  2012  -  2013 











GROUP   AGROUP  B

MALABAR UNITED  FC
NAVELIM YOUTH CENTRE

CURTORCARES UNITED
SKYNET RAIDERS  SC

UNITED  GOANS  CENTRE
YRC RISING STARS

INDIAN  STRIKERS  FC
SANTOS  UNITED

REAL BETALBATIM FC
KERALA CHALLENGERS
GROUP  CGROUP  D

DHL  FOOTBALL CLUB
GOA  MAROONS

DON BOSCO ORATORY
AVC  SPORTS & CULTURAL  ASSOCIATION

UNITED FRIENDS CLUB
CRC  CHINCHINIM

KUWAIT GOAN ASSOCIATION
FC  SPARX





















KIFF LEAGUE - MATCHES SCHEDULE:-

28/09/2012

C1 DHL  FOOTBALL CLUB v/s DON BOSCO ORATORY C2
B1 NAVELIM YOUTH CENTRE v/s SKYNET RAIDERS  SC B2
A1 MALABAR UNITED  FC v/s CURTORCARES UNITED A2

5/10/2012

D1 GOA  MAROONS v/s AVC  SPORTS & CULTURAL  ASSOCIATION D2
A3 UNITED  GOANS  CENTRE v/s INDIAN  STRIKERS  FC A4
B3 YRC RISING STARS v/s SANTOS  UNITED B4
C3 UNITED FRIENDS CLUB v/s KUWAIT GOAN ASSOCIATION C4

12/10/2012

D3 CRC  CHINCHINIM v/s FC  SPARX D4
A2 CURTORCARES UNITED v/s REAL BETALBATIM FC A5
B2 SKYNET RAIDERS  SC v/s KERALA CHALLENGERS B5
A1 MALABAR UNITED  FC v/s UNITED  GOANS  CENTRE A3

19/10/2012

B1 NAVELIM YOUTH CENTRE v/s YRC RISING STARS B3
C1 DHL  FOOTBALL CLUB v/s KUWAIT GOAN ASSOCIATION C4
D1 GOA  MAROONS v/s CRC  CHINCHINIM D3
A4 INDIAN  STRIKERS  FC v/s REAL BETALBATIM FC A5

2/11/2012

B4 SANTOS  UNITED v/s KERALA CHALLENGERS B5
A2 CURTORCARES UNITED v/s UNITED  GOANS  CENTRE A3
B2 SKYNET RAIDERS  SC v/s YRC RISING STARS B3
C2 DON BOSCO ORATORY v/s KUWAIT GOAN ASSOCIATION C4

9/11/2012

D2 AVC  SPORTS & CULTURAL  ASSOCIATION v/s CRC  CHINCHINIM D3
A1 MALABAR UNITED  FC v/s INDIAN  STRIKERS  FC A4
B1 NAVELIM YOUTH CENTRE v/s SANTOS  UNITED B4
C1 DHL  FOOTBALL CLUB v/s UNITED FRIENDS CLUB C3

16/11/2012

D1 GOA  MAROONS v/s FC  SPARX D4
A3 UNITED  GOANS  CENTRE v/s REAL BETALBATIM FC A5
B3 YRC RISING STARS v/s KERALA CHALLENGERS B5
A2 CURTORCARES UNITED v/s INDIAN  STRIKERS  FC A4

23/11/2012

B2 SKYNET RAIDERS  SC v/s SANTOS  UNITED B4
C2 DON BOSCO ORATORY v/s UNITED FRIENDS CLUB C3
D2 AVC  SPORTS & CULTURAL  ASSOCIATION v/s FC  SPARX D4
A1 MALABAR UNITED  FC v/s REAL BETALBATIM FC A5

7/12/2012

B1 NAVELIM YOUTH CENTRE v/s KERALA CHALLENGERS B5

Quarter Finals

10/5/2013

A1 v/s D2

17/5/2013

B1 v/s C2
C1 v/s B2
D1 v/s A2

Semi Finals

31/5/2013

WINNER 1 v/s WINNER 3
WINNER 2 v/s WINNER 4

Finals

14/6/2013