KIFF ANNOUNCES SOCCER SEASON OF 12-13.

KUWAIT INDIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION ANNOUNCES COMMENCEMENT OF SEASON 2012-2013

 

Kuwait Indian Football Federation announces the much awaited final countdown for season 2012-2013. After the customary summer break all soccer loving Indian expatriates will begin their vigil from 5th October 2012 at the Al Sabah Football grounds on every Friday mornings to watch their favorite teams battle it out in the KIFF League for the Late JP D’Melo Rolling Trophy for season 2012-2013. 18 teams grouped in 4 groups will participate in the KIFF league which will be played on round robin league format with the top 2 teams qualifying for the knockout quarterfinals stage.

KIFF President Mr. Fidelis Fernandes who has been elected unopposed for a record consecutive fourth term along with the KIFF Managing Committee cordially invites all the former KIFF Presidents to take part in the opening ceremony at 7am on 5th October 2012 at the Al Sabah Football Grounds. Mr. Tony D’Costa, IFRA referee and a famous personality of Indian Expatriate soccer in Kuwait will be the special invitee as he departs for good after more than three decades in Kuwait. The KIFF Managing Committee also invites all the Presidents and members of the 18 affiliates to take part in the opening ceremony.

KIFF season 2012-2013 will be officiated by IFRA, an Indian professional refereeing body in the State of Kuwait. It may be noted that Kuwait Indian Football Federation is the only Indian expatriate federation in the entire Middle East with registered players on their rooster and also supported by GFA and AIFF.

The opener to the season will be between the defending Champions Don Bosco Oratory and runners up DHL Football Club. The man of the match awards for the KIFF League are sponsored by Integrated Logistics Co and Al Mailem Group of Companies and will be judged by personalities specially selected by KIFF MC. Adding spice to the KIFF league will be the Housie Snowball with a special prize of an air ticket on sector Kwt-Mum-Kwt on Jet Airways sponsored by Al Qatan Travels.

The KIFF Managing Committee for season 2012-2012 is headed by the Hon. President Mr. Fidelis Fernandes (KGA) along with Hon. Vice President Mr. Derrick Gomedes (RBFC) Hon. Gen. Secretary Mr. Praveen Kumar (Sparx) Hon. Sports Secretary Mr. Kevin Vaz (AVC) Hon. Treasurer Mr. Adly D’Lima (UG) Hon. Registrar Mr. Stevin Fernandes (DBO) Hon. P.R.O Mr. Julio Cardozo (GOA) Hon. Asst. Sports Secretary Joseph Gomes (DHL) and Hon. Reliever Mr. Seby Dias (Curtocares United)

The 18 affiliates comprises of Goan Overseas Association, United Goans Centre, YRC Rising Stars, Navelim Youth Center, CRC Chinchinim, Curtorcares United, United Friends Club, Kuwait Goans Association, FC Sparx, Indian Strikers FC,DHL Football Club, AVC Overseas Sports and Cultural Association, Skynet Raiders Soccer Club, Santos United, Don Bosco Oratory, Malabar United FC, Real Betalbatim Football Club and Kerala Challengers.

The KIFF Managing Committee wishes all the 18 affiliates the very best for a grueling season 2012-2013. All the soccer loving fans are cordially invited for the opening ceremony and the matches to follow during the new season. Let us all get together and proclaim in unison ‘’LET THE GAMES BEGIN’’

DATE: 5th OCTOBER 2012 VENUE: AL SABAH FOOTBALL GROUNDS.OPENING CEREMONY: 07.00 AM

SCHEDULE OF 1ST DAY MATCHES

1ST MATCH 07.00 AM. DON BOSCO ORATORY v/s DHL FOOTBALL CLUB

2ND MATCH 08.30 AM. MALABAR UNITED FC v/s CUTORCARES UNITED

3RD MATCH 10.00 AM. NAVELIM YOUTH CENTER v/s SKYNET RAIDERS FC

(Watch out for more news and events as the new season progresses)

Xavier Furtado,

Kuwait.

JULIO CARDOSO ON DRAMA "APLEA BHURGEAM SANGATAK"

DRAMA IN KUWAIT: APLEA BHURGEAM SANGATAK

Had the opportunity of watching the much touted 'Aplea Bhurgeam Sangatak' a Konkani drama staged by Dy S.P. Sammy Tavares at the American International School, Hawally on Friday 28th September 2012 and I must say it was not such a happy experience.

Let me start with the play itself. Although I found the story similar to so many other Tiatrs I have watched over the years, it could still could pass off as 'satisfactory' especially given that it contained some powerful acting by Felcy as the tormented mother, Mathew, Roma, Rosaila and a couple of others whose names I do not know. Regretfully, I cannot say the same about the comedy and I personally did not find it too funny, in spite of the best efforts of comedian John D'Silva. Strangely though, quite a few in the audience enjoyed it. The songs baring one or two including one beautiful duet by the female leads, were dull and boring and I could see the audience getting restless and waiting for the next one. For once my favourite Cajetan/Marcus/Xavier disappointed big time and left many in the audience feeling the same as me , especially since the drama was attended by a huge crowd, probably close to 600 plus.

However, my main reason for writing this blog is not really about the drama, it more to do with the organizers and the organizing of the drama.

Isn't it time the organizers stopped checking our patience and started taking us a little more seriously? The start of the drama was announced as 5:00pm and in spite of us being in the hall at 4:50pm, the show started approximately at 6:45pm (about 1 hour 45 minutes late), and to top it all, till the curtains opened we were bombarded with announcement after announcement about the availability of so called 'Original CDs' and VCDs. There was also an announcement that video shooting is prohibited while the organizers had 3 cameras in strategic locations to actually video film the whole play. Also every now and then someone would announce that the play is about to start and the lights would be switched off only for them to come on again...

My next issue is the interval break. Without scant concern for the audience who were in the hall, some of them from 4:00pm, the break lasted for over an hour with further announcements about VCDs and CDs, Bingo game, auction of souvenirs and felicitation ceremonies. The show actually ended at 11:25pm, so you do the math.

Another strange thing I found in recent Konkani Dramas is that Organizers and Tiatrists find it the best place to wash 'Dirty Linen'. So you will find a singer (in this case a couple) who will come on stage and sing a 'Zopati' (hope I got that right) without giving names, but rather a few broad hints. Now tell me, if I am not aware of your drama politics, how the hell would I know who you are singing about or seriously do I really care?

I believe it's time our Konkani drama organizers and actors stop hiding behind the curtain of their love for the Konkani language and the stage, and give us our money's worth. Most of them (actually all, and I know quite a few) are very sensitive to criticism and will rarely accept it positively to improve themselves and their art. It's time organizers not only think of making a tidy profit, but giving the audience value for their money as well.

A friend of mine summed up last evening's drama very well. He said: I have seen a lot of dramas by far the worst, serious thought needs to go in by the organizers.

Gentlemen, Please!!! If I have paid KD.5/- (approximately Rs.1000/-) for a ticket, damn it!!!! I want full value for my money. Just like watching a move, not all dramas may be good, but if not anything else, at least I should enjoy the experience of a pleasant evening out.

Julio Cardoso

Kuwait

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WELL WRITTEN REVIEW BY VERONICA.

Dear Mr. Veronica,

Well written review of the Drama "Aplea Bhurgeam Sangatak". Once again you proved to be what you really are – truthful and straight forward. One requires guts to write such a bold review pointing out the faults in the drama and rightly you have done so.

Your last article on the eve of this drama in Kranti was a great boost for the last minute sale of the tickets. As per my information at least 200 people came to watch this drama only after reading that article.  You got any commission for this job Veronica?

There is nothing extraordinary in this drama. It was only a big propaganda that made a big show of this drama.

Francis Fernandes,

Kuwait.