Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Apr 26: On the final of the 12-day national level football tournament organized at the football ground here under the aegis of Mangaluru Sporting Club, Mumbai Sporting Club team humbled the spirited challenge posed by Soccer Ullal team by registering 4-2 win. With this victory, it also annexed the winner's trophy.
First Kick team from Chennai bagged the 'Best Disciplined Team' honour. Adil of Soccer Ullal team won the 'Best Goalkeeper' award. Karan Ameen of Mumbai team was identified as the 'Best Defender', whereas Praveen Mendon and Shravan got individual awards by winning 'Best Mid-fielder' and 'Best Forward' titles.
Arvind, Vijay, Ritesh and Antony from Tamil Nadu and Kerala functioned as referees in the tournament.
Karnataka forest minister, B Ramanath Rai, speaking after presiding over the valedictory function, noted that football as a game has not won over the hearts of the people and gained too much popularity in Karnataka. He felt the need to increase popularity of football sport in Karnataka on the lines of Kerala and Goa by taking effective measures.
Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner, A B Ibrahim, speaking on the occasion, said that a proposal to convert the football ground into turf pitch has been sent to the city corporation. He requested district in-charge minister and MLA to take interest in getting nod for this proposal and urged the city corporation to act fast on this recommendation.
MLA, Mohiuddin Bava, MLC, Ivan D'Souza, Mangaluru Urban Development Authority chairman, Ibrahim Kodijal, former Kabaddi player, Hemanth Shetty Mumbai, Karnataka State Football Association vice president, Vijay Suvarna, dignitaries, Mahabala Marla, K S Muhammed Masood, Naushad Sooralpady, Abdul Latif Mother India, and Jagadish participated as guests.
President of reception committee, K Ashraf, welcomed. Convener, Santosh, president of Mangaluru Sporting Club, M Fayaz, convener, Jeevan Kumar, and Manager, Harishchandra Bengre, were present.