News: Gasper Crasto
Kuwait, Jan 24: All Kerala Football Club (AKFC)-A were crowned champions of the UNIMONI Sparx FC 5thedition 7-aside football tournament held at Bayan grounds on January 4.
The tournament was played under the auspices of Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF). Thirteen exciting teams took part in the one-day tournament. In an exciting final AKFC-A beat Pen Friends United 2-1.
AKFC’s Jamal took the lead for the winners (1-0). But Pen Friends soon equalized converting a penalty goal through Jasmin (1-1).
When the teams looked like heading for a draw, AKFC striker Shamil Muhammed scored a long range thunderbolt goal in injury time beating Pen Friends keeper Abdul Lateef (2-1).
Sponsors and invited guests
Earlier, Sparx President Baby Noushad introduced Unimoni, platinum sponsors of Sparx FC squad for the season 2018-19.
Ranjith S Pillai, retail sales head of Unimoni was present at the event as Chief Guest.
Hamza, managing director from Dahlia Furnished Hotel Apartments - golden sponsor of Sparx FC for the season was also present as well as Mansoor, sales manager of Grand Hyper Kuwait (golden sponsor for the season 2018-19), and Shamseena, director of Ran Energy (golden sponsor for the season 2018-19).
Shanavas, managing director of Haitham Group International, Kuwait was another high profile delegate present on the occasion.
Other dignitaries present on the occasion included KIFF president Derick Gomindes, KEFAK president Siddique TV, KIFF sports secretary Michael Pereira, KIFF vice-president Robert Bernard, KEFAK advisory board chairman Gulam C Mustafa, KEFAK sports secretary SVM Safarulla, KEFAK MC member Pradeep Kumar TKV, O K Abdul Razak, Sparx patron Sajan, etc.
Semifinals
In the semi-finals, AKFC-A beat Don Bosco Oratory 2-0 with SubithLal and AKFC’s mercurial striker Inzamam scoring the goals.
In the other semis, Pen Friends United beat United Goan Centre 1-0. Jasim scored the most important goal for Friends.
Well organized tournament
In one of the best organized tournament, a number of glittering trophies and mementos were given away. Cool winter weather and energizing spectators made the tournament equally attractive and special.
Matches were officiated by KIFF referees.
In the vote of thanks proposed, FC Sparx executive member Sameehulla thanked all participating teams, officials, sponsors and everyone who rendered their help in making the tournament a grand success.
Apart from trophies for winners, runners-up and semi-final losers, the winners and runners-up were awarded glittering individual trophies.
The tournament was captured on camera by Babynoushad and Nishad.
Wonderful mementos were presented to honour Ranjith S Pillai, head retail sales from Unimoni, Hamza, managing director from Dahlia Furnished Hotel Apartments, Shamseena, director from Ran Energy, Mansoor, sales manager from Grand Hyper Kuwait, Sameer Nasri – FC Sparx team manager, Kalai Vanan Krishnan, FC Sparx, assistant team manager etc.
The memorable mementos were presented at the hands of KEFAK advisory board chairman Gulam C Musthafa, KEFAK president Siddique TV, KEFAK MC member Pradeep Kumar TKV, KIFF president Derick Gomindes, Bernard Fernandes, official in-charge of KIFF, Sajan( Sparx FC patron), etc.
Prizes were given away at the hands of Robert Bernard - KIFF vice-president, KEFAK sports secretary SVM Safarulla, Abdul Latheef, president of Pen Friends United, Babynoushad, president FC Sparx, Shamseena (Director Ran Energy and Shanavas VK), Hamza and Gulam Musthafa, etc.
The winner’s trophy was handed over by Ranjith Pillai of Unimoni, and Derick Gomindes, KIFF president.
Following individual prizes were given away:
Top Scorer of the Tournament – Anas of Pen Friends
BestGoalkeeper - Shiva Prasad of AKFC-A
Best Defender - Mahshook of Pen Friends United
Best Player - Inzamam of AKFC-A
Man of the Match (Final) - Shehin of Pen Friends