J.P. D’MELLO AND KIFF LEAGUE.

J.P. D’MELLO AND KIFF LEAGUE.

This is in response to the news article in this forum on 23.07.08 of the J.P. Memorial KIFF League Football Tournament final written by prominent Goan writer and former National footballer Gasper Crasto. There is nothing much to write further on this since the writer has covered all the points minutely and poignantly too on certain incidents still happening during our soccer games.

When UG started our soccer in 1979, I interviewed the then UG President Tony Fernandes from Siolim who himself was once an ace footballer in Goa playing for the Goan top teams Bemfica and Lube. Tony said, at his place in Salmiya, "These soccer activities are initiated to promote friendship and good will amongst us. Thru these soccer activities, there should be more unity amongst Goans’.

This interview I conducted on behalf of ‘Goycho Mog’, a Goan Konkani Weekly from Margao. After reading the news on the final, I still feel some discords are happening amongst us, may be because we all cannot accept the defeat sportingly. Victory and defeat are part of the game. We are not competing in World Cup to take the defeat so seriously. Even in the World Cup and in Euro Cup the defeated teams accept the defeats and leave the field gracefully.

Though for some it is difficult to accept the defeat yet the seniors and elders in the teams and team management must try to console the hurt and defeated. Let us try to build more and more friendships thru this football.

Our discord will surely have bad effect on our friendly relationship. We Goykars especially the Goa based Goans must try to overcome our partisan differences and come together for the betterment of our Goa. As it is, Goa is getting finished for Goans. Our Goan Clubs and Teams must utilize their resources and manpower to protect Goa from going into the hands of non-Goans. To do this we must have our unity starting first at soccer grounds where Goans congregate in large number.

Though UG initiated our soccer activities with the intention of promoting friendship amongst us, yet they were the first to destroy this friendship existing amongst us when they maliciously suspended G.O.A. Maroons from their tournament. This they did only to disintegrate the then powerhouse Maroons which engulfed in its fold the best available footballers in Kuwait amongst us. Besides G.O.A. had an excellent band of committee members of which type no other club or team had and will never have either.

UG was jealous of G.O.A. Maroons progress and to further stop the development of Maroons, the Divadkar and Siolekar became the main architects of suspending Maroons even against the wishes of other members. The seed of discord amongst us thus for the first time was sowed by UG against their principle which said “friendship thru sports”. Unfortunately, they inculcated “enmity thru sports”. G.O.A. Maroons is still going strong while once mighty UG is TOTTERING and if nothing can be done to revive it, then it will disappear like an ETHER. As it is their former office bearers and supporters have already ‘DESERTED’ UG. Their fall is very imminent, either today or tomorrow.

It is nice to remember J.P.D'Mello (J.P) by organizing the Kuwait Indian Football League Tournament in his honour. He was the backbone of our activities then at Sour Grounds in the sense that he was a guide and mentor for us and although his total allegiance was for UG yet he said “I am for all Goans and for football”. Because of his presence amongst us, we attained certain respect in Kuwait as far as soccer is concerned. He was a genius in soccer laws. Once, the then mighty Indian soccer organizer from Bombay Mr. Ziauddin, while having conversation with JP at Cooperage said, “Mr. J.P., can you please give me that genius brain of yours where soccer knowledge is stored? If you give me that then I will give you anything”.

JP had great love for Goa and Goans and he participated in our activities for the cause of Goa, Goans and Konkani. In Kuwait, everyone involved in soccer loved and liked him except one Mangalorean Judas Iscariot, an ex-IFRA referee who inspite of receiving farewell parties is still rotting in Kuwait taking Bible in his sinful hands. He was envious of J.P because he could not do what JP could do. May the genuine Goan soul of JP Rest In Peace.

When JP was first time brought to Sour Ground after his arrival in mid eighties, Tony Fernandes the then UG President introduced him to me. While exchanging views, suddenly JP saw the boundary Flags which were very small in size. Then he immediately asked Tony: “Are you running this tournament on FIFA rules or your own rules?” Tony answered “as per FIFA rules”. Then JP told Tony to change the Flags to bigger size as per FIFA rules. While this conversation was going on, there was one UG man, little drunk, who started poking his nose in the discussion. JP asked: "Who is this man? Tony said “he is one of our members”. Then JP retorted rather bluntly and also sarcastically: “How can you run football tournaments with such “Bebdes” (Drunkards)? Keep such persons out of your reach because they bring soccer into disrepute”. Bebdes are Bebdes, however much educated they may be. And those who are supporting Bebdes are double Bebdes.

JP was very rigid as far as physical fitness of the Referees and other requirements were concerned. Many of the current referees are overage; they have crossed more than the permissible age limit prescribed by FIFA. Some of them are become paunchy with their bellies like watermelons and yet still shamelessly officiate the games either from the middle or from the lines. Once they know that they have crossed their age limit they must voluntarily withdraw with good name and fair image. What is the age of referee Sarto Batista who is struggling to push himself even on the sidelines. What about others? It is these physically unfit referees that soil the prestige of our soccer. It is my request to them that all those who are not fitting into the rules of FIFA must withdraw before they are disgraced and forced to leave. Most of the people who are involved in running the soccer association and teams are doing so for their own personal honour and glories. For this reason they do so much, even spending so much of money to run their affairs.

Our people are crazy for name and fame because it missed them back at home. They are suffering from ancestral deficiency and inferiority complex but they must know very well that back home in Goa, they are still non-entities.

Many of the earlier so called mighty Kuwait Goans showing their professional, influential, financial and physical might in Kuwait are now gone underground in Goa. They are living like unknown entities because nobody cares them in Goa. They are afraid even of their own shadows. It is a pity to see them on this “estad”. While they were in Kuwait they were shaking the earth below and around their feet but now in their retired life in Goa, the same earth is shaking them. Yesterday’s presidents, chairmen, other office bearers in our associations; managers and officers, foremen and service advisers and other top positions holders in their companies who were acting like Maharajas in Kuwait are become ordinary tadpoles in Goa now. Our pompous show is meant only in Kuwait. Many of us are like frogs in the pond and we will remain so because the world for us is only around the pond.

When we started our soccer activities in 1979, it was at Sour Grounds. This lasted till the last year but this year we shifted to Salmiya, and according to my information, this place is also closed for us. What will be the next venue for us now? Who will decide? I heard that KIFF have approached the Indian Embassy, Sheikh Talal (President of Kuwait Football Federation), Kuwait Youth & Sports Organization, Kuwait Football Clubs who own football stadiums, and even AIFF Gen. secretary Mr.Alberto Colaco plus other influential individuals. But have they approached with their right people or with Bebde? Do we have capable people in our midst to get a permanent venue for us at a particular place? Do we have influential and clever people for hard bargaining? Do we have capacity to approach the relevant authorities as JP once did by directly approaching the local soccer authority? JP was a gigantic figure and his gigantic power was accepted by others. I only hope something will be materialized soon. Let us hope so.

Finally, as announced during the final, over a lakh of rupees have been collected by the KIFF affiliated clubs and other individuals as gift to the player of KGA who was injured by DHL a few months back. Thru this collection it was proved now that we are ready to shoulder our responsibility towards others who have nobody to take care.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

“Konkani Tiatro” is an Industry

By Wilmix Wilson Mazarello (Goa)

wilson_mazarello@rediffmail.com

Year 1950:
Son: Dad, I want to be a “Tiatrist”.
Dad: Son , that “Tiatristponn”, is not for us. “Tiatrisponn”, is for drunkards, unemployed and for those who do not have any respect in Society.

Year 1960 :
Son : Dad I want to be a “Tiatrist”.
Dad : My son, by being a Tiatrist , you can’t make a living for yourself. Tiatrists don’t have a regular income. What will you eat ? How will you support a family ?

Year 1970 :
Son: Dad, I want to be a Tiatrist.
Dad : First, get yourself a permanent job. Then, if you want to show your talent, you may do it, only as a “part-time”.

Year 1980 :
Son: Dad, I want to be a Tiatrist.
Dad : I’ve no problem with that . Be a real good “Tiatrist”. Earn something there. Don’t be just an “Ordinary Tiatrist”, and waste your time.

Year 1990 :
Son: Dad, I want to be a Tiatrist.
Dad: My son, I’ve heard it’s very difficult to get into tiatros. Will those tiatrists, accept you ?

Year 2000:
Son: Dad, I want to be a Tiatrist.
Dad: With great pleasure. Be a real good Tiatrist.Bring name & fame to your family.
I’ve heard, they earn well in tiatros.You too earn in tiatros, and make a living for yourself.

Reading the above dialogues, between father & son, we get a reasonably-good glimpse, into the history of “Konkani Tiatro”, during those 50 years i.e. between, year 1950 and year 2000.
We come to know, what developments, what changes, have happened in Konkani Tiatros, during these 50 years.

The father’s replies, show us, how much the attitude, of Goan Society, changed towards Konkani Tiatro, during these 50 years.

Before 1950, very few people, would have thought of taking, “Tiatrisponn” as a profession.
Today, everyone wants it.

WHAT’S CHANGED ?

Today , a Tiatrist is honoured & respected. Today , there is “money” in tiatros. Today, with “Tiatrisponn”, as a proffesion, one can afford a reasonably good life, for oneself and one’s family.
Some of our tiatrists, earn as much as senior-managers, of multinational companies.

INDUSTRY

It is heard, that our Government of Goa, accords a “Small-scale-Industry” status, to any company which has a turn–over of Rs. 5 lakhs, or employs a minimum of 10 workers.
Such companies, having status of a “Small-scale-Industry”, get a lot of facilities from the Government.

Facilities like, subsidies for developing business, income-tax exemption , insurance cover for workers etc. etc.

If so, why is it that, the status of an “Industry” is not given to “Konkani Tiatro”? Or is it, that the “Konkani-Tiatro”, does not satisfy the criteria, for receiving “Industry-Status”?

“TURN-OVER” IN TIATROS

Has any body, ever, tried to find out what is the “turn-over” in Konkani tiatros? Has anybody, bothered to find out, what is the “income”, generated in Tiatros, and how many Goans, make a living on Tiatros ?

Does anyone know, how many jobs, are created by Konkani tiatros?

Well, I have done my research, and I know my findings are “right’, to a very great extent.

CHECK-IT-OUT.

A.

Today in Goa, there are at least 10 Producer/Directors, who release 2 new Konkani Tiatros every year, and they stage at least 50 performances of each of these tiatros, within that year.
These Producer/ Directors include, Roseferns, Prince Jacob, Mario Menezes, Minin de Bandar, John D’Silva, Anil Pednekar, Comedian Dominic, Minin Mario, Pascoal Rodrigues and Maxcy Pereira.

The Income, on these Tiatro-performances, is as follows :

10 Producers x 50 performances x 2 (ie. twice a year) = 1000 performances
1000 x 800 tickets per Hall = 800,000 tickets
800,000 tickets x Rs 60/- (Price of a ticket) = Rs. 4,80,00,000/- (Income)

B.

Similarly, there are at least 6 producers in Goa, who release just one Konkani tiatro in a year, and they have at least 50 performances of that tiatro , within that year.

These producer/Directors include, Tony Dias, Samuel Carvalho, Comedian Ambe, Comedian Agustinho, Ben Envangelisto and Mariano Fernandes.

The Income, on these performances, is as follows :

6 producers x 50 performances x 1 (Once a year) = 300 performances
300x 800 tickets per Hall = 2,40,000 tickets
2,40,000 tickets x Rs 60/- (cost of a ticket) = Rs. 1,44,00,000/- (Income)

C.

Then, there are at least another 10 producers, who release 1 tiatro in a year, and they have minimum of 25 performances of that tiatro, within that year.

Among these producers are, Milagres de Chandor, Anthony Sylvester, Inacio de Canacona, Jr. Reagan, Ives Tavares, A.M. Pacheco, F.Cardozo, Dominic Carvalho, Patrick Dourado and Betty Alvares.

The Income, on these performances, is as follows:

10 producers x 25 performances x 1 (once a year) = 250 performances
250 performances x 800 tickets = 200,000 tickets
200,000 tickets x Rs. 60/- (Cost of a ticket) = Rs.1,20,00,000/- (Income)

D.

After these, comes a list of 5 producers, who release just 1 new tiatro in a year and they stage at least 20 performances of that tiatro, within that year.
Among these come , Kennyferens, Cyril Almeida, Star of Curtorim, Anthony San, and Succur de Santacruz.

The Income, on these performances, is as follows :

5 producers x 20 performances x 1 ( just once a year )= 100 performances
100 x 800 tickets = 80,000 tickets
80,000 tickets x Rs 60/- (Cost of a ticket ) = Rs. 48,00,000/- (Income)

E.

These, are followed by a list of 6 priests, along with Shri Ligorio Fernandes, who release just one Religious tiatro in a year, during the season of Lent.
Each of these producers, stage at least 30 performances of their tiatro.

The Income, on this performances, is as follows :

7 Producers x 30 performances x 1 ( once a year ) = 210 performances
210 performances x 800 tickets = 1,68,000 tickets
1,68,000 tickets x Rs 60/- (Cost of a ticket) = Rs. 1,00,80,000/- (Income)

F.

Finally , comes a list of Local Producer/ Directors, at village –level, who produce and direct their own tiatros, in their own villages.

For the purpose of our calculation , lets suppose there are just 5 such producers in each Taluka, and lets say they stage just one performance of their tiatro in a year, for the village feast.

The Income on these performances is as follows :
5 producers in each Taluka x 11 Talukas x 1 ( once a year ) = 55 performances
55 performances x 800 tickets = 44,000 tickets
44,000 tickets x Rs 60/- = Rs 26, 40,000/- (Income)

(Other than the above, every year, there are tiatr-performances, held outside Goa, ie. Mumbai...40, Gulf.....20, and Europe / America ....10.

The Income, on these performances, is :

70 performances x 800 tickets per performance x Rs 300/- = Rs. 1,68.00.000/-“Income”. However, for our today’s calculation, we are not considering this figure, as we are considering the ‘Income’, on performances held in Goa, alone)

Hence, the total “Income” on Tiatros, staged in Goa alone is :

A) + B) + C) + D) + E) + F) = Rs 4,80,00,000/- + RS 1,44,00,000/- + Rs 1,20,00,000/- + Rs 48,00,000/- + Rs 1,00,80,000/- + Rs 26,40,000/-

= Rs. 9,19,20,000/-
(Rupees, Nine Crores Nineteen Lakhs Twenty Thousand )

Is this “Income / Turn-Over”, not sufficient to give , “Konkani Tiatro” the status of an “Industry”?

TIATRO GIVES JOBS

Further more, the Konkani Tiatro, is a source of regular income to a lot of Goans.

Some of the Goans who live of the Konkani tiatro are :- Hall-Owners, Tiatro Writers/ Directors/ Actors / Actresses/ Singers/ Musicians. Stage Managers, Sound Operators, Light Operators, Setting Hirers, Troupe Transporters, Setting Transporters, Stage-Hands, Helpers, Canteen Operators, Ticket-Sellers, Ticket / Handbill Printers, Poster-Painters, Car-Publicity-Operators, Newspapers, Rehearsal-Houses, Script-typists, Xerox Operators, etc. etc .

So much employment , is generated through the Konkani Tiatro. So many Goans, make a living out of Konkani Tiatro. Is this, not sufficient to give the “Konkani Tiatro” , the status of an “Industry” ?

TIATR PRESERVES OUR GOAN IDENTITY

Konkani Tiatro, preserves our Goan Art & Culture.
Konkani Tiatro, keeps our Mother-Tongue, Konkani alive.
Konkani Tiatro is a “watch-dog”, for our Society and our Government.
Konkani Tiatro, teaches good family values to our society, in addition to giving a good entertainment.

WHAT ELSE DO WE NEED ?

If the Konkani Tiatro, can do all this, with no support , from, the Government
of Goa, imagine what all it could have done, if some support was forthcoming, from the Government.

All said and done, there is no point in talking about something , that’s not likely to happen.

Whether the Goa Government recognizes it as an Industry, or not, the people of Goa have already taken the Konkani Tiatro, to the level of an Industry.

KONKANI TIATRO TODAY, IS ALREADY, A VIBRANT, MULTICRORE INDUSTRY.

J.P. Memorial KIFF League Football in Kuwait - Winners and Losers

DHL-Kuwait beat Kuwait Goans for Third Place
Navelim win record 5th League Title

KIFF President B.M. Viegas handing over the J.P. D’Mello Memorial Trophy to Navelim President Mario Carneiro & Captain Britto

Kuwait: The KIFF League played under the auspices of Kuwait Indian Football Federation (K.I.F.F) and officiated by I.F.R.A referees provides Indian players with the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition, while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play -- in perhaps one of India's only 11-aside league abroad.

League football is a test of players’ skills, stamina and endurance. The Phase II of the league played in scorching summer heat was rigorous and nearly impossible at times. Just standing there in temperatures as high as 48°C can melt the skin, burn the feet and make the eyes breathe fire. The summer heat was not just the right weather for a final match of the league.
The League named after late Jerome Pascoal D'Mello (popularly known to all as J.P. D’Mello), Goa's first international football referee, consisted of 18 registered teams. The league which commenced in October last ended on 18th July 2008 with Navelim Youth Centre emerging champions in the final match. Navelim beat Kerala Challengers, Kuwait Goan Association and AVC in their last 3 encounters.

Winners and Losers

In the final match played at Salmiya Grounds, Navelim Youth Centre beat AVC-Kuwait in the tie-breaker 4-2 (Full time score 0-0).

Navelim have now won the league for a record 5 times followed by G.O.A. Maroons (3 times) since the establishment of the League in 1994-95.

DHL-Kuwait won the Third Place displacing mighty Kuwait Goan Association by a solitary goal in the other match of the day.

Winning the League Championship was one of the sweetest achievements for Navelim for more reasons than one. Navelim is the only football club in Kuwait that can boast of maximum players (12 players in the first sixteen) from their own village in Goa.

Navelim played a unique formation of 4-5-1 with just one forward which was more suitable for the hot conditions where some players looked like ‘fish floating on water about to be kicked to shore’ towards the end of the match.

AVC defenders Francis Rodrigues, Peter and Joseph Quadros played well in the defence, while their other central defender played Jamaican fooball with the sole intention of kicking the ball anywhere but away – even out of reach of his own players.

Man of the Match Seby Furtado receiving the award from P.A. Tony

Navelim played a passing game throughout that unsettled AVC time and again. Navelim built the moves right from their defence with John Furtado, Joaquim Rodrigues, Wilson and Alfred Pires initiating the moves. Their midfield had incredible control over the ball with man-of-the-match Seby Furtado running tirelessly and combining well with his team mates. Simao Gaunkar, Christi, Americo, Duarte Ferrao, Sidney Rodrigues and Ivo D’Costa played lot of passes between themselves before finishing off on AVC goal.

Savio Fernandes, Luciano D’Souza and Edward Dias were outstanding for AVC but the strikers Kevin Vaz, Melvy Fernandes, Ronnie Fernandes and Molvito Mascarenhas were overshadowed by Navelim defence. Navelim were unlucky not to have found the mark when Gasper Crasto’s 30 yard free kick beat AVC goalkeeper Jose Fernandes and rebounded from the cross bar off the goal line.

The tie-breaker was enforced after the teams failed to break the deadlock even after extra time of play. Navelim goalkeeper Britto Pereira, whose diving in recent seasons was as sluggish as a python, showed tremendous reflexes in saving 2 penalties with flying, full length dives in the air, brining in memories of his glory days when he won accolades playing for Vasco Club, Churchill Brothers and the famous all-Goa champion tie-breaker club ‘Dire Straits’.

The Champions

The Champion team Navelim included Britto Pereira (goalkeeper), Wilson Pires, John Furtado, Alfred Pires, Joaquim Rodrigues, Simao Gaunkar, Christi Pires, Seby Furtado, Duarte Ferrao, Americo Fernandes, Gasper Crasto, Ivo D'Costa, Sidney Rodrigues, Victor Fernandes, Cruzedio Rodrigues, Kelvin Rodrigues, etc.

Coach: Gasper Crasto; Team Manager: Bernard Fernandes; Asst. Team Manager: Britto Pereira President of Navelim: Mario Carneiro; Sports Secretary: Avelino Dias

KIFF President B.M. Viegas gave away the J.P.D’Mello Trophy to the Winners and spoke on the occasion. He praised his committee for all the support and singled out Sports Secretary Derrick Gomindes and the I.F.R.A referees for their wholehearted contribution.

Vice-President Manuel D’Costa proposed a vote of thanks. KGTS President Cajetan de Sanvordem and Mr. V.K. Vohra were among the dignitaries that attended the final.

KIFF Managing Committee for the season consisted B.M. Viegas – President, Manuel D'Costa - Vice President, Fidelis Fernandes - General Secretary; Cajetan Ferrao - Treasurer
Derick Gomindes - Sports Secretary; Michael Fernandes – Registrar; P. A. Tony - Asst. Sports Secretary; Steven Fernandes – P.R.O; Mario (Katty) Carneiro - Executive Member

Arrogant Players

By and large, the spectators enjoyed the final game except for some glum incidents. One of AVC’s senior midfield players was seen incessantly screaming insults at fellow players like a middle-aged fisherwoman screaming at cats in the fish market. So much was the frustration of this player during the game and after, that he, along with another uncivilized player almost disrupted the prize distribution function.

Both these players have played for donkey years and should be thankful enough to the game of football for having been nurtured by their former club into playing - one ransomed out from a Kuwaiti house where he would have rotted if not for football, the other made into a standard footballer – something which he never achieved in his attempts in Goa. Both are gone bald playing football in Kuwait over the years; the former was even banned by KIFF for manhandling a referee some years back, while the other rejected by his previous club for repeated tantrums with players and committee members. Yet that has not shut their pride or made them aware of what strata of society they come from.

Football among Indian expatriates in Kuwait fulfils its function to divert one’s mind from reality whilst bringing different communities together in unity. The arrogance of players raise the question: What do our clubs play for? Friendship or enmity? What do our clubs teach their players? Discipline or hatred? What are our teams fighting for? Gold or Diamonds? What are we going to take home finally? Trophies or sand? Respect or a black face? What is the contribution of such players towards the promotion of the game? AVC coach Alvaro Dias, who has played many a battle in his career, am sure, will try to inculcate sense in his team as there are no others in the vicinity of the club who can understand football as much as him or are worth his calibre.

B.M. Viegas handing over Runners-up Trophy to AVC coach Alvaro Dias and captain Francis Rodrigues

Legacy of Indian Football Clubs in Kuwait

All the Indian clubs in Kuwait have worked hard over the years to carve a niche in Indian football and keep the name of their clubs flying high. United Goans’ Centre have been in the forefront for over 3 decades with their slogan ‘Friendship Through Sports’. Santos Football Club, founded under the name of ‘Apache’ has been actively involved in the promotion of football activities since 1979. CRC Chinchinim have strived to boost Indian football since 1992. Curtocares United has promoted football activities since 1995. Kerala teams of Fahaheel Brothers, and Kerala Challengers have participated competitively with their teams and in the true spirit of the game. Youth Recreational Centre (Rising Stars), one of the formidable clubs have organized and played quality football and helped to take Indian Football to a high. Bombay Boys have also played a stellar role over the years for the upliftment of the game.

The current league Champions Navelim YC have always done an amazing job in the past to uphold its values and traditions, livng to its standards since the establishment of the club in 1987 – organizing football and promoting footballers. Navelim are among the top teams in Kuwait winning every trophy at stake, being proud holders of all 3 Silver Jubilee Trophies conducted in Kuwait – the UG Silver Jubilee Trophy (2002-03), Rising Stars Silver Jubilee Trophy (2003-04) and GOA Maroons Silver Jubilee Year Trophy (2004-05). Navelim’s NYC Trophy tournament has completed 18 grand editions with the host (Navelim) winning the Championship for a record 6 times followed by G.O.A Maroons (5 times).

Goan Overseas Association (G.O.A) popularly known as ‘GOA Maroons’ founded in 1979 have promoted friendship through football over the years. The strong bond of friendship that glues this club together can be seen everywhere, be it on the soccer field, off the field or the social front. Maroons have won many championships, perhaps the greatest of all being the ‘Forest of Dean RA Trophy’ organized by Hubara Club – at Ahmadi in the early 1980s, where, in the semifinal, Maroons defeated the mighty Hubara club which had players of European and Kuwaiti nationalities. They say, that was one of the most memorable game played by Indians in Kuwait – played at midnight on floodlit grounds which brought together hundreds of Goans in support and unity.

I.F.R.A, K.I.F.F and the memory of late J.P.D’Mello

The Indian Football Referees Association (I.F.R.A.) has been one organization which has given an immense goodwill to Indian football in Kuwait. Since 1980, the association has trained and recruited new referees as its members and provided services for football matches. The late J.P. D’Mello, Founder President of the Association was the one instrumental in forming the current Kuwait Indian Football Federation (K.I.F.F). His memory has been justly kept alive by KIFF through its affiliated Indian football teams/clubs/associations by naming the KIFF League after him.

The Kuwait Indian Football Federation (K.I.F.F) established in 1983 controls all Indian expatriate football activities in Kuwait. In the just concluded season 2007-08, a total of 18 teams were registered with the federation with over 400 players displaying their skills every Friday morning. Apart from the League, 4 regular tournaments and 5 Seven-a-side tournaments are held under KIFF every season. The KIFF will celebrate 25 glorious years of its existence next season.

For over 30 years, Indian clubs and associations have strived to ensure development of individual players while teaching the importance of team effort, fair competition, discipline and good sportsmanship.

Players, officials, clubs may come and go. But Indian football, for sure, will remain a Winner in Kuwait for a long time.

KIFF Committee presents popcorn prizes

It is a crying shame that the KIFF Managing Committee never even thought twice while presenting KD1.500 (Rs. 229 equivalent) worth of medals as mementos to the winners and runners-up players. Are these medals, which are usually given for school kids, worth a memory of a grueling league where players fight and slog, squander time and energy, brave the winter and heat, risk injuries, etc, and go through much anxiety and depression?

KIFF, which consists of 18 clubs, conducts just one tournament in a year – the league. They are expected to organize and give away the best prizes than the clubs and make the event a memorable one for players and everyone involved. Has KIFF done justice distributing these low cost biscuits? Even the Nepalis and Bangladeshis who hold matches for just a couple of Fridays a year give away better individual prizes. Prizes/trophies and cash awards won by teams that play even in paddy fields in Goa are to be seen to be believed. Pity the KIFF-affiliated club players. The top 4 teams’ players all deserved better prizes – such as a windcheater or a track suit with the KIFF logo.

If KIFF can find sponsors to organize a grand dance, can’t they find someone to sponsor prizes for the deserving players? What are the committee members for? Just to display their new shirts, suit and ties on the day of the final? Did they see the look of dismay and disbelief on the faces of the players receiving the medals? With all due respect for their presence in KIFF, administration and running around throughout the year, the incapability of KIFF to even move the prestigious KIFF final to a stadium or floodlights tells a sorry story. Trophies given to teams don’t mean anything to players, but the prizes given to individual players mean a lot to every player and perhaps remains with them for life as a cherished souvenir.

A year long league certainly deserves better and more prizes than what KIFF gave at the finals. There should be prizes for every position - Best Goalkeeper, Best Defender, Best Midfielder, Best Striker of the League and Player of the League. These kind of prizes is an encouragement to perform better in future and will certainly boost the enthusiasm of youngsters.

The trend to stop giving these medals was pointed to the KIFF after KIFF gave these medals to the League winners (Navelim) in 2001-02, and United Goans (UG) gave them in their Silver Jubilee Year in 2002-03 (at a very prestigious event). UG have continued giving peanuts at finals and repeated the feat again this year. They should be given a Bharat Ratna for doing that. UG should either buy good prizes from their next ‘Edition’ or stop this another ‘Addition’ before the club and UG Trophy is unceremoniously forced to the grave.

V.K. Vohra handing over Top Scorer of the Season Gold Coin to Andre Dias

The V.K. Vohra Gold Coin

Mr. V.K. Vohra has been giving away a gold coin to the ‘top scorer of the season’ for many years now. Navelim’s Cruzedio Rodrigues has won the Gold Coin 5 times. This year the coin went to Andre Dias of Kuwait Goan Association. Andre topped the league as well as the entire season. Kuwait Indian Football needs such thoughtful persons as Mr. Vohra, a former KIFF President, persons who know the real worth of players. May the Almighty fill his home with a hundred thousand gold coins for his love for the game and for being a source of inspiration to budding footballers.

Winners of the League since 1997-98:

1997-98 -Navelim Youth Centre;

1998/99 - United Friends Club;

1999/00 - League not held;

2000/01 - GOA Maroons;

2001/02 - Navelim Youth Centre;

2002/03 - United Friends Club;

2003/04 - Bombay Boys;

2004/05 - AVC Overseas Association;

2005/06 - Navelim Youth Centre;

2006-07 - Kuwait Goan Association;

2007-08 - Navelim Youth Centre

Photo courtesy:Simon Dias

About the Writer

Gasper Crasto is a former National level player who played for Salgaocar between 1990-91 to 1998-99. Played in the National League and 2 Federation Cup Finals – one against Mohun Bagan (Goa - 1993-94), other against East Bengal (Salt Lake, Culcutta - 1995-96) besides representing Goa at Santosh Trophy and playing in various other tournaments.

Awarded ‘Athlete of the Year’ in Kuwait in 2003

Current player/coach of League Champions Navelim Youth Centre.

Website: http://gaspersworld.tripod.com/

Some Articles by the Writer:

Cable TV effects on Indian Football
http://www.indianfootball.com/features/column/column-gasper200705-2.html

Another Year, Another Season, Where are we?...
http://www.indianfootball.com/features/column/column-gasper200705.html

Superstars... and Crazy Boys of the Game
http://www.indianfootball.com/features/column/column-gasper200507.html

Hipolito Fernandes – A Physio for Indian Players in Kuwait
http://www.indianfootball.com/features/column/column-gasper200608.html

Indian Football in Kuwait - 2003
http://gaspercrasto.tripod.com/id77.html

Man of the Match Awards
http://gaspercrasto.tripod.com/id88.html

Indian Football in the Middle-East – Mini Football
http://gaspercrasto.tripod.com/id177.html

Men in Black – Focus on Referees
http://gaspercrasto.tripod.com/id175.html

Tiatr, Football, Dances and Newton’s Third Law in Kuwait
http://goa-kranti.blogspot.com/2007/05/tiatr-football-dances-and-newtons-third.html