Mangalore: 17th Independence Cup football tourney kicks off


Mangalore: 17th Independence Cup football tourney kicks off

Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Jul 20: The 17th Independence Cup football tournament organized by Dakshina Kannada district football association (DKDFA) was inaugurated at Nehru Maidan here on Saturday July 20.

The inauguration was done by Fr Alwyn Serrao, principal of Rosario College along with other dignitaries on the dais by lighting the lamp. Govind Pai, AGM of Corporation Bank, corporator A Diwakar were the guests of honour.

Inaugurating the tournament, Fr Alwyn lauded DKDFA for organizing football tournament every year. "People of our country love cricket a lot more than other sports. But in our city, football is still alive and the credit goes mainly to DKDFA. I wish that the association continues to organize such tournaments in future too," he said.

"It is not easy to organize football tournament as it stretches for almost a month," he said, advising participants, "quitters never win, and winners never quit."

Speaking to mediapersons, DKDFA president D M Aslam said around 200 teams have registered for this tournament. In higher primary category there are 27 boys' and 7 girls' teams, in high school category 54 boys' and 10 girls' teams, PUC 27 teams and degree category 38 teams.

"The sad part is that Nehru Maidan is used for various political and religious functions and hence is poorly maintained. In order to promote the sport, we are in need of a good turf ground," said Aslam.

The inaugural ceremony was followed by the first match in higher primary girls' category between Sacred Hearts, Kulshekar and SDM, Ujire.

  

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Comment on this article

  • irsha, mangalore

    Mon, Jul 22 2013

    we all should thank and appriciate the president and members of DKFA for conducting this huge event with 200 teams, its not an easy task to manage to conduct such an event, when they are not supported well by the government or any local bodies except some limited sponsors, from last 17 years they are conducting this event and still Mangalore municipal corporation is least bothered to at least repair the ground. hope Mr corporater had seen the condition of the ground and will take some steps to do prevent it from our youth being injured while playing.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kevin DSouza, Dubai

    Sun, Jul 21 2013

    I love to see this Independence Cup. When i was in High school i was part of it (St.Aloysius)

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • DENZIL FERNANDES, mangalore

    Sun, Jul 21 2013

    Agree with Desi Jawan. From childhood I have also seen the pathetic condition of the football ground which has been used like a prostitute if I may say so. Anyone and everyone uses the ground including all those jay walkers who don't care whether a match is being played or not. Are the political parties paying any fees when they use the ground for their meetings and rallies I wonder? If so, at least a part of that income should be earmarked for the upkeep and maintenance of the ground. It is time for higher authorities to provide for seating all around and give the ground an enclosed look. All the four sides have to been fenced off with a strong wall with seating inside and maintenance done regularly. The standard of football will go up and one will see at least a player or two from Mangalore reaching greater heights. Whatever, despite all these tough conditions the DKDFA is surely doing a good job to encourage football. Keep going DKDFA.

    DisAgree Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ravi Bhaskar Shenava, MANGALORE

    Sun, Jul 21 2013

    Foot Ball the King of Games.
    Cricket the Killer of all Games.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Desi Jawan, Mangalore

    Sun, Jul 21 2013

    It is pity to see the dreadful condition of the soccer ground! It looks like a paddy field which is exposed to the first rain of the season.

    I hardly can believe in a city like Mangalore which is also the second largest city in Karnataka, we do not have proper play grounds for our youths. This ground (Nehru Maidan) has not changed since ages on which I played my soccer and hockey as well as cricket (on the upper level) during my school days for various tournaments. The ground surface is so poor and hard, once one falls on it, he will guaranteed to lose at least 1 – 2 inches of his skin and deep bleeding cuts. Congress in their rule of or 61 years and BJP’s 5 years, this ground was only used to their political activities and not in any interest of the youths of the city. Managala stadium too was built with inferior quality and poor infrastructure.
    How would one expect our youths to use above grounds to get quality training in sports to compete against sportsmen who get trained with world class facilities.
    Jannanna, Oscaram, Lobam, Khadri Saib and team, at least look at the photos published on this website and at least now on try to do something to provide good sports infrastructure for the youths and children of the future. Hopefully you know and understand what sports is.

    DisAgree Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • alwin, alwin

    Sat, Jul 20 2013

    Good encouragement. All the best childrens.

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Mangalore: 17th Independence Cup football tourney kicks off



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