KIFF "DADAGERI" IN KUWAIT.

According to the latest instruction issued by the lame footed and revengeful Kuwait Indian Football Federation, a player playing in the tournaments conducted under Indian Football Federation Kuwait will not be allowed to play in the tournaments conducted by KIFF because any player playing in IFFK tournaments will be treated as suspended from KIFF. “Xabas” KIFF, you show that you are not only bodily owning the Indian players in Kuwait but you are also owning them soully. By passing such strictures KIFF instead of promoting soccer amongst us, KIFF is killing soccer. Some of the rascals in the KIFF earlier wanted to punish me for writing critical articles on KIFF “dadageri”. When I passed my message to them saying “You will have to sell your wives and mothers and also your concubines to punish me”, then they remained silent. I don’t know what KIFF thinks of itself. Good that KIFF is a toothless body as it is unknown to any local authority since it is NOT RECOGNISED BY KUWAITI AUTHORITY otherwise KIFF under arrogant administration would create havoc for IFFK and the players participating in IFFK conducted tournaments. Good that IFFK started having parallel tournaments under their domain otherwise IFFK boys would never get a chance to play soccer in Kuwait.

JP D’Mello was not only a high ranking soccer administrator but more than that he was a high thinker. He loved Goa, he loved Goan unity in Kuwait. He wanted every Goan and Indian player in Kuwait to play and fulfill his ambition. He did not like splits among Goans and suspension of active soccer players but unfortunately KIFF Goans are become impotents to bring about unity. Never in my life I noticed such a division amongst Goans in Kuwait as it is now, all because of KIFF “dadageri”. Because of this division many Goans started hating other Goans.

KIFF now is conducting JP Memorial League tournament but by doing this they are killing JP’s principle of unity. Those who trample under their feet JP’s vision and love for fusion among all soccer players, they are the enemies of JP and as such they have no moral right to promote JP’s image distortedly. JP stood for unity of Goans while those who are promoting JP’s image by organising a memorial tournament in his name are doing injustice to JP’s memory. JP would never accept such a “tamasha” done in his name to honour him while his principles are killed by the very people who fakingly honour JP. I cannot understand why not a single Goan forcefully raises his voice against what KIFF is doing.

Earlier KIFF alone was organising our tournaments and as such all Goans used to assemble together to watch these matches. But now since KIFF has created division amongst us, Goans are splitted into two factions thereby affecting our unity too much for which only the Goans in KIFF will be responsible. History has been created by KIFF Goans by not supporting reunification of IFFK and KIFF and this history will be kept written in BOLD BLACK CAPITAL LETTERS.

KIFF purpose when established was to bring about unity amongst all the clubs and players but during the last two seasons there is nothing but disunity amongst us created by KIFF inefficient anti-Goan management. If KIFF was good the disunity in the first place would never occur. The KIFF management has failed miserably to bring about patch up between the two factions and as such KIFF alone should be held responsible for this disunity which is very much affecting Goan unity. Now it is known to everyone who are the enemies of Goan unity. In the past because of our unity we managed to create wonderful work for the cause of Goan community namely Cancer Hospital Dona Paula, Direct Flight from Kuwait to Goa, Konkani movement especially Novem Goem movement, Gulf Goan Hotels Co., Sour Ground Soccer, Goa Kuwait Solidarity Center movement and many more. All these movements we started and initiated because none of the KIFF Goans were involved with us deeply otherwise they would destroy all our movements as they are doing for KIFF. By the way, what good one can expect from the “Bebdes” and those who cannot control their own wives and bring about patch up with their wives?? These Bebdes want Kuwait for making money only but not to support Kuwait during the invasion of Kuwait. During the invasion of Kuwait when we were organizing our movement in support of Kuwait, these Bebdes where busy drinking liquour in the Tavernas in their localities. Such people are a disgrace on Goa and Goans. While starting and proceeding further with the above mentioned movements we faced lot of obstacles and difference of opinions but we never surrendered, on the contrary we cautiously used our brains and patience to avoid clashes even by giving advantages to our opponents. KIFF currently is not ready to yield an inch and by acting thus KIFF is promoting IFFK and its activities which also going on very well. If today IFFK is existing it is only because of KIFF arrogance.

KIFF feels it is omnipotent body having control over all the Indian and Goan players. It failed to accept its flaws which are plenty. Time will come if there is no brake on KIFF “dadageri”, IFFK personnel will have to obtain written permission from KIFF even to sleep with their wives. For me, all those who are involved in KIFF management are one eyed men among the blinds. Good that these persons are in Kuwait and working well and God forbid, if they are thru the power of Tsunami thrown out of their jobs, in Goa not even a “Kuddo Mus” will look at them, leave aside in Goa in general but not even in their own villages and Vaddos. Most of them are stupid Goans and because they are such they are in KIFF because intellectual Goans are not joining KIFF. KIFF is not a place for Goa lover Goans and intellectual Goans

When we started our competitive football at Sour Grounds in 1979, lot of young Goan boys got employment. This is very good outcome. Recently one young Goan boy playing in IFFK tournament got a nice job provided by one team member registered in KIFF. Football is not our priority in Kuwait but job. Now because of KIFF arrogance as indicated above this young Goan boy cannot get opportunity to play in the KIFF tournaments because this young Goan boy is already under automatic suspension for playing in IFFK tournament. In the bargain he lost the chance of getting a job. Poor young boy is now cursing KIFF management and even their wives and children. For the loss of this job, Law of Nature will surely work. A very good chance is lost for the young Goan boy to earn his livelihood. Who is responsible for this? Is it not KIFF? KIFF came into being to help the boys and not to destroy their job prospects. I don’t blame non-Goans in KIFF to act in favour of Goans but I blame our own Goans only who got no marbles to bring about patch-up for the sake of Goan unity. And on top of it, these Goans are Catholics going to Church regularly. Externally they act saintly while internally they are the first class Lucifers. These Lucifers are responsible to create division amongst us in the community.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

CONGRATULATIONS - RUSSIA & QATAR.

Congratulations to Russia and Qatar for being elected by FIFA in yesterday’s meeting at Zurich in Switzerland to organize the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup Tournaments respectively in Russia and in Qatar.

When Joao Havalange came to power as president of FIFA while the current President Joseph Blatter was General Secretary of FIFA, Havalange promised to increase the number of contestants to the present level, 32 from 16 so that smaller countries from around the World would get a chance to show their soccer skills for the entire World. Havalange was more interested in the Third World Countries to give them better opportunities in the World Cup Tournaments. That was the very good decision of Havalange to increase the number of contestants in proper World Cup Tournament to 32.

Now, yesterday we saw another excellent decision taken by FIFA to allot Russia and Qatar to host 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup Tournaments. Russia has got the distinction of representing many times in World Cup Tournaments and producing some of the top World class players, namely Lev Yaschin and Daseav – both were goalkeepers – Yaschin played his last World Cup match in 1966 against Portugal for the 3rd and 4th places when Portugal’s Black Panther Eusebio beat him in the penalty shot sending Yaschin to the other side of the goal. Later on as a chief guest Yaschin came to Calcutta for the IAF final between Mohun Bhagan and East Bengal. It was Yaschin who trained Daseav to be the best keeper later on.

In Olympic soccer tournament Russia did extremely well, so too in European Cups but never got a chance to host the tournament on their soil. By yesterday’s election to host the tournament in 2018 I feel proper justice has been done to Russia. In soccer, Russia is a powerhouse. No doubt Russia lacks lot of facilities to host such a massive event yet Russia will lack in nothing. From now and 2018, 8 years are remaining and during this long period surely Russia will build all the requirements to host FIFA World Cup 2018. I wish Russia all the best.

Regarding Qatar, I was having my own doubts whether Qatar such a small nation in the Gulf will be able to cope up with hosting of FIFA World Cup. But finally I proved wrong and Qatar got the chance to host 2022 FIFA World Cup. About 20 years back I came across an article in World Soccer Monthly Magazine saying that the capacity of Maracana Stadium in Brazil is equal to the population of Qatar. I don’t know how far it is true. But Qatar will do anything within its capacity to make the World Cup tournament as one of the most memorable. Qatar got money and with the power of excess money it will do everything to make the World Cup most successful.

Qatar is one of the member countries of Gulf Cooperation Council along with Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman. Being our neighbor we Kuwaitkars take pleasure in sharing the joy of Qatar. GCC countries soccer records and achievements are best in the Middle East and in Asia too. All the 5 GCC countries acquired distinction of playing in FIFA Word Cup Tournaments, Kuwait being the first followed by others. GCC countries spend millions with top management skill to train their young footballers. They acquire services of best of Coaches in the World and because of this they come up in soccer. Those who got no knowledge of Gulf soccer they will come to know shortly. Though 12 years are remaining yet within this long period Qatar will do everything possible to make 2022 the most successful tournament. Qatar got money, Qatar got unselfish people and Qatar got dedicated people to do their job. And I am sure Qatar will do the best as host of 2022.

What is hosting of FIFA Word Cup for any country? It is much - much more than just playing footbal. There is no greater sport in this world as this. It is honour, it is money and above all it is extremely high politics and because of this men like Clinton, Prince William and other top world leaders assembled in Zurich to put pressure on FIFA governing body to allot this World Cup to their respective countries. Once again FIFA proved that it will simply not bowdown in front of the top World leaders. For this reaon nobody and no power on this planet can bend FIFA. At the moment FIFA is the mot powerful organisation in the world. Its numerical strenght is even higher than that of UNO. In front of FIFA president Blatter, the world leaders became pigmies. It was the power of football or soccer that brought the whole world in front of FIFA.

A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.

COURT VERDICT ON SEZ. By Nisser Dias.

2nd Dec 2010.

High Court verdict on SEZ boosts activists.
If govt is sincere, then it should initiate CBI probe into the matter. The recent judgement by the Goa Bench of Bombay High Court in petition against the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) has reposed the faith of the people of Goa specially the activists in the judiciary. It was not that we did not have faith in it but the recent controversies involving the judges across the country did have a negative impact on the minds of the masses as judiciary is the last hope of every Indian fighting against the highly corrupt politicians and equally corrupt bureaucracy. But when the integrity of the some judges across the country is questioned and strictures are passed against judicial cadre that too by the Supreme Court, the perception of the lay man is rattled.

But with a landmark judgement against the system adopted by the Goa Industrial Development Corporation to allot land to the SEZ promoters has opened a can of worms and if the Digambar Kamat led government sincerely investigates the controversial land deal, lot of heads are going to roll and plenty of skeletons are going to tumble out of the closets and it must happen so as to send a message to all corrupt politicians and officials that truth never remains hidden and those involved in bleeding the state of its land and resources should be severely punished.
The SEZ promoters for sometime now have been demanding compensation from the government for incurring a huge financial loss. Today after the verdict of the High Court, it has become very clear and evident that these same businessmen had tried to commit fraud on the state and in the bargain due to the perseverance and diligence of NGO’s like the SEZ Virodhi Manch (SVM) who pursued the matter in the High Court and elicited a verdict in its favour thereby exposing the evil designs of these businessmen. The state government should now not only confiscate the land allotted to these real estate developers but also stop them from conducting any business in the state and at the same time impose huge fines for wasting exchequer’s money.

Coming to the GIDC board of directors, their tenure should be immediately terminated at the same time if the same personalities are serving on other Boards the positions should be vacated. Over and above the remunerations paid to them during the allotment of land to set-up SEZs should be recovered with interest and deposited in the government treasury. Now remains the chairman of the Goa Industrial Development Corporation Board who happens to be a political appointee. He too should be thoroughly investigated by agencies like the CBI, Income Tax and anti-corruption bureau. Thirdly if the directors along with chairman were pressurized by senior members of political party or be it the ministers at the time of allotment of land then they should also be investigated.

The government should also agree to the demand made by Goa’s Movement Against SEZ (GMAS) convenor Mathany Saldanha for judicial probe as he has pointed out that the High Court has observed that undue haste and departure from laid down procedure while scrutinizing the applications for land properly. Saldanha has urged the need to probe this as he feels that kickbacks were involved. The same yard stick used in the Common Wealth Games, Adarsh Housing society scam and the 2G Spectrum scam should also be applied here as it is the same party which is ruling at the centre and here, furthermore SEZ was mooted by the Congress government when it took over the reins from Manohar Parrikar led coalition government.
If the government is sincere and initiates CBI investigation into the allotment of land for SEZ, lot of heads of politicians within the Congress will roll thereby exposing fountainhead of corruption and the High Court through it judgement has done just that. It is given that fillip or rather a push to the government to commence a criminal enquiry into the matter and the government should not let go of this opportunity. But politicians being politicians and that too from the same political party will surely try to save their kind but if NGO’s like SEZ Virodhi Manch and veteran activists like Mathany keep up the heat, government will have no option but give in to the pressures of the people.

The High Court verdict has also given the opposition BJP a lot of fodder to maul the Congress government in the state. They too should be sincere enough to get to the bottom of the entire scam to unearth the truth behind the allotment of land. However they should resist from using it to get political mileage or benefit out of the episode. The state unit of the BJP should emulate their leaders at the centre who raised the pitch against former Union minister of state Shashi Tharoor forcing the Congress party to demand his resignation as minister. Similar strategies were used in Adarsh housing scam and 2G scam thereby forcing Maharashtra chief minister and Union Telecom minister to step down. However when a land scam involving Karnataka chief minister was exposed the BJP let their man continue in office. Goa BJP should not adopt such double standards.

At the same time SEZ Virodhi Manch and GMAS should not handover the baton completely to the BJP because without political interference backing they has covered a lot of ground and has emerged victorious so far. But this is not the end of it, what will happen in the days or months to come is anybody’s guess as experience tells us that the successive governments have never been sincere to aspiration of the people but to their kind only. Therefore the SEZ Virodhi Manch should not lower its guard but be as vigilant as ever to face and fight anti Goa and Goans machination of the government.

Send your comments/reactions to nisserdias@gmail.com or SMS 9422437029)
(Nisser writes a regular column in GT on Thursday. This article was published in GT today)