SAMAJ WEEKLY –
After Walsall, Birmingham, Bedford, the last of this year’s KFF football tournaments took place at the very good facilities of Leisure United, Racecourse Playing Fields, St. Marks Road, Derby, DE21 6AL on Saturday and Sunday 12th and 13th July. The tournament was a huge success with thousands of football lovers enjoying themselves on beautiful weather conditions. Adults, youth and girls football teams from across the country participated at the East Midlands held tournament.
Adult team matches started on Saturday at 9.00 am Premier Division matches began at 11.00 am in which GNG Leicester beat Punjab United Wolverhampton 6-0, FC Khalsa Leicester beat Singh Sabha Slough 4-1. Singh Brothers Derby and Leamington FC got into semi-finals with a bye against GSA and Singh Sabha Hounslow. In the semi-finals played at 5pm Singh Brothers Derby beat Leamington 4-1. The most exciting and entertaining game of the tournament took place between the two Leicester teams GNG and FC Khalsa in which Khalsa were cruising to a 4-1 win with about 15 minutes to go. GNG made it 4-2 and had the momentum to get the extra goals and made the final score 4-4 and took the game into penalties and won the penalties 4-2. GNG went onto win the final against Singh Brothers Derby.
The first division final took place on Sunday between Singh Brothers Derby ad GSA which the East Midlands team won -1. Total of seven teams took part in this Division and were Singh Brothers Derby, FC Khalsa Leicester Reserves, Guru Ravidas, GFA Reserves, Singh Sabha Barking, GNG Leicester Reserves and Hayes End Athletics. GSA Reserves beat FC Khalsa Leicester 6-1 in one semi final and Singh Brothers Derby Reserves beat GNG Leicester Reserves 4-3 in the other semi-final.
In the Vets over 35s Punjab United Sports Wolverhampton, Shere Punjab RRG FC, Guru Ravidas, Khalsa Leicester, London Punjab FC, Wondervaults FC and Punjab United Derby took part. In the first semi final Punjab United Sports Wolverhampton drew 2-2 with Shere Punjab RRG Fc with Punjab United Sports Wolverhampton going through to the final on penalties winning 7-6. In the other semi=final Wondervaults FC beat London Punjab FC 4-2. The Vets over 36s final was won by Punjab United Sports Wolverhampton who beat Wondervaults FC by 3-1. Singh Sabha Bedford, FC Khalsa Leicester, FC Sandwell and Punjab United Derby prayed in the Vets Over 45s Division which was won by FC Punjab Sandwell who beat Singh Sabha Bedford 4-2 .
There is always a family atmosphere ay the tournament on Sundays when grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends all come to see the youth playing in different age groups. From babies with dummies and being carried in prams to people on crutches as well as the elderly and disabled and people from various communities enjoyed the tournament. Facilities at the Derby tournament had grounds from where a number of matches could be seen at the same time, had limited number of seating for the elderly and disabled, good refreshment and toilet facilities as well as good parking for everyone. The venue also has free playground for young children.
The results for the youth section were as follows:
Under 8
WINNERS Nuneaton Fc
Runners-Up Blue Tigers Derby 1
3rd Place Nottingham Sikh Lions
Under 9s
WINNERS Nottingham Sikh Lions
Runners-Up GNG Leicester Eagles
3rd Place FC Khalsa Leicester
Under 11s
WINNERS Nottingham Sikh Lions
Runners-Up GNG Leicester Eagles
3rd Place Blue Tigers Derby
Under 13s
WINNERS Sporting Khalsa
Runners-Up Blue Tigers Derby
3rd Place Nottingham Sikh Lions
Under 15s
WINNERS Leamington FC
Runners-Up Walsall Silverdale
3rd Place Singh Brothers Derby
Under 17s
WINNERS GNG Leicester
Runners-Up Punjab United Derby
3rd Place GNG Walsall
GIRLS FOOTBALL
Total of five teams took part in the Girls football Division and were Singh Sabha Hounslow, GN Leicester Lionesses, GNP Panthers, GNG Pumas U1 3s, and GNP Panthers U13s..
WINNERS GNP Panther Under 13s
Runners-Up GNG Pumas Under 13s
3rd Place GNP Panthers
The Presentation ceremonies at these tournaments needs to be improved however possible. This started at about 4.30pm with those contributing to the tournament being recognised first and then the youth teams with the Premier Division winners given trophies at the end. Under the circumstances Jeetinder Singh Bains from the KFF did a brilliant job. Other special guests who presented trophies were Catherine Atkinson, Labour MP for Derby North constituency and Mayor of Derby Ajit Singh Atwal. The tournament was also supported by Guru Arjan Dev Gurdwara and Singh Sabha Derby Gurdwara.
The football playing and supporting people have and do contribute regularly to Gurdwara programmes and the Gurdwaras should do their best to support the football clubs all over the country and help them get their own playing fields where they can train all year and get better players especially in light of Seerat Kaur being selected as captain of England Under 16s team. This is very proud achievement for the Sikh community.
Report and Photos: Tarlochan Singh Virk
Results : Khalsa Football Federation
