Kuwait: KIFF League - Don Bosco oratory are champions

By Julio Cardoso
Pics by Rivon Gomes / Alec Pinto
Bellevision Media Network

Kuwait, 24 Jun 2012: Inspired with a sublime performance by Man of the Match Loyed Mascarenhas, Don Bosco Oratory (DBO) trashed DHL FC 4-1 in a one sided season finale of the grand KIFF League Championship for the J.P. D’Mello Memorial Trophy organized by the Kuwait Indian Football Federation at the Al-Qadsia Sporting Club stadium (Hawally) last Friday.

 

The final was watched by a large crowd including H.E. the Ambassador of India to Kuwait Shri Satish Mehta who was the chief guest, Indian soccer icon and guest of honor Bruno Coutinho and Nasser Omran Kanan, the Regional Admin and PR manager of Gulf Cable who was the other special invitee. The final of the grueling league cum knock out tournament featuring 19 teams was played under floodlights and the occasion brought out the best of the youthful Don Bosco Oratory team, who forced the game right from kick off. Loyed whose inclusion in the Oratory team has given them the extra boost in midfield scored the first goal when in typical fashion he cut through two defenders from the right flank and struck ferociously past the outstretched arms of DHL keeper Manoj, 1-0.

 

Champions Don Bosco Oratory with guests and supporters

 

Moments later Loyed could have scored again but his excellent free kick from just outside the box was well parried away by the DHL keeper. Alexandro Gomes who had been the backbone of DBO’s surge for the title with his accurate passes and all-round performance than got his name on the score sheet when he easily tapped in from a defense splitting pass from Loyed to make it 2-0. A few sporadic forays in the DBO half by DHL FC forwards Cruz and Jai John were easily dealt with by Godfrey, Michael, Salman and strongman Roshan in the Bosco defense.

 

DHL FC briefly threatened to add a twist to the game when Terrence’s long range try a few minutes into the second half, surprised Alido Gomes in the DBO goal who was caught off his line to make it 1-2. DBO however were not to be denied their day of glory and cheered on by their supporters, captain Peter Fernandes dipped one over the DHL goalkeeper and hard working Roshan Dias added the fourth in the dying minutes of the game to finish 4-1. It was a strangely subdued performance by DHL FC who in spite of fielding the likes of Vico, Terence, Roland, John Furtado and Binoj could not find the form that got them to the final.

 

 

Earlier before the start of the final, the emcee Julio Cardoso introduced ‘Jovas XLNC for Dance’ a local dance troupe led by Joythi and Sunil who entertained the spectators with their soccer themed dance performance. Fidelis Fernandes the President of Kuwait Indian Football Federation thanked the Ambassador for gracing the occasion and the sponsors Gulf Cable for their support. He also paid glowing tributes to the guest of honor and Arjuna Awardee Bruno Continuo who was flown is especially for the final. In his brief speech, H.E. the ambassador of India to Kuwait, Shri Satish Mehta congratulated the Federation and said he was amazed to see that Indians could organize a football tournament of such caliber in Kuwait. Bruno Coutinho and Nasser Omarn Kanan too spoke on the occasion and complimented both the finalists and the federation. The VIP guests along with all 19 presidents of affiliate clubs of the federation were than introduced to the players and doves were released in a symbolic gesture to commemorate the occasion.

 

During the break and end of the match, Mementos were presented to the chief guest: Shri Satish Mehta, Guest of Honor: Bruno Coutinho, special invitee: Nasser Omran Kanan, Performers of Jovas XLNC for Dance, Derick Gomindes and Julio Cardoso for their contribution and support to KIFF. Loyed Mascarenhas deservedly was declared ‘Man of the Match’ and presented with an award by Hugh Fernandes on behalf of Al-Muzaini Exchange Company, Best goalkeeper was begged by Alido Gomes, Best Defender Godfrey Aguiar, best midfielder Loyed Mascarenhas and best forward Roshan Dias , all of Don Bosco Oratory. The fair play award for the season went to DHL FC and the KIFF Regular Season championship was won by Malabar United.

 

The highest scorer of the season was shared by Michael Dias of DBO and Cruzedio of Navelim YC, and both players received trophies from KIFF and individual gold coins sponsored by V. K. Vohra. The final was very well officiated by Derick Gomindes assisted by Jerry Mello and Pascoal Fernandes on the lines. Victor Andrade, Romeo and Arnold Bothelo were the extra officials. The Kuwait Indian Football Federation which came into existence in 1983 is run by nine elected committee members from the 19 affiliate members with Fidelis Fernandes as President, Clifford Pinto – V. President, Michael Fernandes – Gen. Secretary, Zico Fernandes – Treasurer, Mario Carneiro – Sports Secretary, Praveen Kumar – Registrar, Adley D’Lima – Asst. Sports Secretary, Venancio Pereira – Public Relations and William Stranauch – Reliever. KIFF also has an in-house Referees Body to officiate all matches.