Turf War Cup 2019 All-India Football Tournament - CFC Salmiya emerged champions

GASPER CRASTO

Thursday, April 25, 2019

A star studded CFC Salmiya emerged champions of the 4th edition Turf War Cup 2019 - All India 7-aside football tournament held under floodlights at Mishref grounds on 19th April 2019.

The one-day tournament was organized by Real Goal Academy, an upcoming academy that is set to start football coaching in Kuwait shortly.
Real Goal Academy consists of dynamic members such as Mr. BabyNoushad Palliyalil, Sanin, Mansour, Thaher, etc.

In the exciting finals, CFC Salmiya beat defending champions Young Shooters, Abhasiya by a 2-0 margin scoring either side of the break. Young striker Fasil scored both the goals off excellent moves by captain Jineesh Kuttappu who dazzled all throughout.

16 strong teams took part in the one-day tournament. A large number of spectators witnessed the tournament.
Earlier in the semi-finals, CFC beat Silver Stars while Young Shooters got the better of favorites FC Sparx.

The tournament was supported by Nuu Mobile, Costo, BEC, Dahlia Furnished Apartments, Para John, Sohela, Boushahri Commission Trad & Shipping, Al Rihab, Sportec, Fast Track, Habeebi Perfumes, 360 Media, etc.

A number of dignitaries were in attendance. Present on the occasion were O.K. Razak, TV Saddiq (KEFAK President), Ashique Rahman Cadiri, SVM Safarullah, Sports Secretary - KEFAK, Gulam Muhammed Musthafa, Norman Noronha, Robert Bernard, Muhammed VM, Mr. Basheer, Abdul Lateef, Zaheer Alakkal, Gulam Muhammed Musthafa - KEFAK Advisory Board Chairman, Ibrahim, Rabeesh KC Ummar - KEFAK MC Member, Riyas Latheef - FC Sparx Joint Secretary, Shameer Thamarasshery - Sparx FC Sports Secretary, etc.

Goan footballer Gasper Crasto compered the event. Photographs were captured by Noushad Palliyalil.At the prize distribution ceremony, in a noteworthy gesture, Real Goal Academy honored some of the stalwart footballers from Kerala and Goa with Iconic Footballer Awards for their contribution towards Indian football in Kuwait and the Indian community in general.

The Iconic awardees included Kerala legends O.K. Abdul Razak, Ashiq Qadiri, and Navelim Goa ex-defender Norman Noronha.

ICONIC PLAYER - ASHIQUE RAHMAN CADIRI

Hailing from Kannur – Kerala, Cadiri’s first club was Brothers Club, Kannur. He played for Kannur University for 5 years, and was the college team captain.
Cadiri also represented Kannur district in wrestling for 4 consecutive years and in 1986 he was Kannur District Boxing Team Captain.
In Kuwait, Cadiri started in 1988 playing for Kuwait City Club, and in 1992 he was Silver Stars Sporting Club Founder Member.
Cadiri played under Kuwait India Football Federation (KIFF) for Silverstar FC, and Clube Recreativo Rising Stars till 1998 before hanging his boots to play Veterans and exhibition football.

ICONIC PLAYER - O.K. ABDUL RAZAK
Razak, a well-known striker played for Kerala Varma College, Trissur District.
In Kuwait, he was Founder and Captain of United Sporting Club Fahaheel. He also played for Silver Star Sporting Club, Blasters Kuwait, etc.
ICONIC PLAYER – NORMAN NORONHA
Norman has represented his school - Rosary High School, Navelim, Goa at Under-16 & 19 tournaments, represented Damodar College, Margao for 5 years. He is a gold medalist at Inter-collegiate football tournaments of Mumbai University, Mumbai.
Norman also played for his village clubs CRSC, Enfermos, Navelim Sporting, etc, in various Inter-Village football tournaments in Goa.
In Kuwait, Norman played as a rearguard defender for United Goans Centre and his village team Navelim Youth Centre (NYC) on the famous Sour grounds of Kuwait till 1995.

MEMORABLE MEMENTOS
Kerala player Prince Puthussery, ex Mahatma Gandhi University footballer, who is leaving Kuwait for good, was presented with a memento by Real Goal Academy.
In Kuwait, Prince Puthussery has played for Malabar United, Soccer Kerala, Champions FC and United Goans in his short stint of 7 years.
The organizers also had special artefact mementos for all the sponsors, KIFF, Abdul Lateef, Zaheer Alakkal, etc, and popular compere Gasper Crasto.

Prizes were presented at the hands of the sponsor and attending dignitaries.
In his vote of thanks, chief coordinator of Real Goal Academy BabyNoushad Palliyalil thanked all the participating teams, officials, sponsors and everyone who rendered their help in making the tournament a grand success.
Apart from trophies for Winners, Runner-up and semi-final losers, the winners and runner-up teams were awarded cash prizes and glittering individual trophies.
Brothers Kerala won the prestigious Fair Play Trophy.

Following other prizes were awarded at the presentation ceremony:
Best Player of the tournament - Jineesh Kuttappu (CFC Salmiya)

Best Goal Keeper of the Tournament – Rasik (Young Shooters)

Man of the Match (Final) – Fasil of CFC (Salmiya)

Best Defender – Sidiq (Young Shooters)

Top Scorer of the Tournament – Jithin Jacob (FC Sparx)

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