SIOLIM UNITED DUBAI PIP GOA MAROONS TO LIFT RBFC OPEN ROLLING FOOTBALL TROPHY IN KUWAIT

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Siolim United Dubai Lifts RBFC Open Rolling Football Trophy – In Memory of Late Sheikha Huda Bader M.A. Al-Sabah

 Photos by: Simon Dias (Navelim)/Agusto Fernandes (Nuvem)

courtesy: RBFC (Teddy Pinto).

Kuwait: After the success of the  inaugural Tournament last year, Real Betalbatim Football Club (RBFC) hadthe privilege in organizing the 2nd Edition of Open Rolling Football Tournament in fond memory of Late Sheikha Huda Bader Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah on 27/10/2012 at Surra Football Grounds and they haveproved yet again and shown everyone that they are the best in organizing Football Tournaments. The weathertoo played its part in ensuring that we had a beautiful weather throughout the day. And late in the evening the heavens opened up and we had some beautiful showers to the excitement of the spectators who had turned up in large numbers to witness the event. The day will be remembered and cherished by children andfamilies for years to come, as it was like an family outing and children made the most use of it while enjoying the game of football.

 

This year a total of 24 Teams participated, 3 Teams from Dubai, namely Aldona United F.C., Siolim Unitedand Vanxim Divar and a total of 21 Teams from Kuwait namely, AVC, Don Bosco Oratory, Navelim YouthCenter, DHL, KGA, Indian Strikers, Real Betalbatim F.C., CRC Chinchinim, Veterans United, GoaMaroons, National Catering Co., Nagoa Verna F.C, Friends Circle, Fahaheel Brothers, The English School,Blue Racers Guirim, Sparx, Skynet Raiders, Curtorcares United, St. Domnic  Savio and Rising Stars.

 

The Tournament was conducted on a League cum Knock out basis and a total of 68

Matches  were  held  during  the  entire  day  from  7:00 a.m. until  7:30 p.m. The Tournament commenced with a one minute silence in rememberance of Late Sheikha Huda Bader Mohammed Al-Ahmed al-Sabah in whose memory the Tournament was being held. It was interesting to note that all the matches were played at avery fast pace and Teams vying to qualify for the Knockout stages. 

 A total of 8 Teams qualified for the Knockout stages and renown teams to miss out were last year’s Winners, Aldona United, Vanxim Divar, Navelim Youth Center, DHL and Fahaheel Brothers to name a few. Third PlaceWinners were Indian Strikers and The English School, Salmiya had to settle for a Fourth Place.  

 Before  the  Finals  National  Anthems  of  Kuwait,  India  and  RBFC  were  played  and Balloons withRibbons were released to mark the event and it was a treat to watch. So also a Children Exhibition matchbetween City Boys Blue and Kheitan Boys White was held in order for them to show their talent. They all werecheered and supported by their Families and a large holiday festive crowd. Highlight of the Day was anWomen’s Exhibition Match which was thoroughly enjoyed by all the spectators and above all the women themselves as it brought back their memories of youth.

The Finals took place between new outfits Siolim United, Dubai  and Kuwait Giants Goa Maroons, and wasplayed at a blistering pace and it was a thrill for the spectators to watch. Both the Teams showed tremendous skills and ball control and were vying for the prestigious Rolling Trophy. The Finals had all the ingredients necessary to make it a memorable Finals. Players who won the hearts of the Spectators wereFederico, Newton and Joel for Siolim United and Blesson D’Souza and Regi Rodrigues for Goa Maroons. And in the end had to be decided by a Tie-Breaker and was once again won by a Dubai based Team, SiolimUnited and they ensured yet again that the Trophy will take a Flight to Dubai.

 

All the 68 Matches were officiated by renowned Referees Body namely, Indian Football Referees Association(IFRA) and hats off to them for professionally officiating so many matches on a single day without any incidents whatsoever. The Referees officiating the Finals were presented with a Mementos.  A  large  holiday  crowd along  with  Children  waited  anxiously  for  the  Chief  Guests, Sheikha Hanouf Al-Sabah and Sheikha DalalAl-Sabah to arrive but due to prior commitments and bad weather could not witness the event. The Guest of Honor, HK Mohan, First Secretary, Embassy of India and KIFF President Fidelis Fernandes, ensured the day’s proceedings were not jeopardized and spoke highlighting the mega event and gave away the Prizes. 


RBFC President, Vijay Gonsalves spoke on the occasion and thanked Sheikha Hanouf Bader Al-Sabah and Sheikha Dalal Bader Al- Sabah for supporting RBFC in their activities. He also thanked RBFC Executive Committee for their tireless efforts in ensuring a successful Tournament. Further he thanked all the 24 participating Teams, Supporters of RBFC, Mr. Bader Nasser Al- Kharafi, Gulf Cables & Electrical Industries Co., Manoj Cardoso (Al-Bahar Group, Peter Mendes (Lays), IFRA Officials, Immaculate Gonsalves, Gaspar Almeida, goa-world.com, Media Supporters, and the Spectators for witnessing in large numbers in making thisevent a success. RBFC CEO, Robin Fernandes, flew all the way from Goa to witness this Tournament.

 

Free refreshments to all the spectators on the day were provided by Lipton, Lays, and Bernard.Photographers, Simon Dias and Agusto Fernandes captured the day’s proceedings, renowned MC’s Alex Taylor and Lloyd D’Souza took control of day's programming and DJ Mario provided sweet music to the ears of the spectators.

 

The Winners Trophy and Gift Voucher was awarded to Siolim United, Dubai at the hands of            Mr. HK Mohan and Runners-up Trophy and Gift Voucher was awarded to Goa Maroons at the hands of KIFF President, Fidelis Fernandes. 

Trophies were awarded to Best Goalkeeper - Martin Dias, The English School, Best Defender - RegiRodrigues, Goa Maroons, Best Midfielder - Joel Jeogie, Siolim United Dubai, Best Striker - Frederico Fernandes, Siolim United Dubai, Best Discipline Team - Indian Strikers, Player of Finals – Blesson D’Souza,Goa Maroons, Player of Tournament - Newton Pereira, Siolim United Dubai and Highest Scorer - LloydMascarenhas, Don Bosco Oratory. So also Mementos were presented to all the 24 participating  Teams.RBFC does not want to take any credit but instead give credit all the participating  Teams and Spectators fortheir support in making this event a success.


Photos by: Simon Dias (Navelim)/Agusto Fernandes (Nuvem)
courtesy: RBFC (Teddy Pinto).
__________________________________________________________________________________