– TARLOCHAN SINGH VIRK
(Samaj Weekly)- The annual KFF Leicester football tournament took place at the GNG Aylestone Playing Fields, Braunstone Lane East, Leicester on the 24th and 25th where there were Veterans, Seniors, Youth, Juniors and Girls Football Competition, in which over 90 teams participated. Over the two days Shabad Gurbani was played from loudspeakers which was very special and it appeared that we were at Mela in our beloved Punjab One of the best and entertaining matches of the Premier Division took place between the evenly matched FC Khalsa Leicester who reached final or semi finals in all tournaments last year and Singh Sabha Hounslow who went on to play GSA in the final. The West London side were going to the next round only for the local team backed by great vocal support, to equalise in the last few minutes to take the match into penalties when the football fans get the chance to see many goals scored.
Terry Singh, FA Community Champion, Diversity and Inclusion plus 30 years of grass roots football and a former GNG player said” The exceptional weather and a great day for football atmosphere for playing football contributed to the success of the football tournament. I was very impressed with the standard of Girls football in all different age groups.
Telvinder Kaur who two boys play for Under 13s and Under 9s view was that the Walsall Tournament by Sikh Hunters was well managed where the staff were very humble whereas there are no volunteer staff here, grass is not properly cut, no labels of matches, grounds are in many different places with provision for Guru Ka Langar in only one place. An old lady who was watching the match where her grandson played, ground was too far away from the toilet and when she got to the toilet, someone was already using it so it is imperative there should have been provision of mobile toilets. It is not rocketing science to think of and provide this basic facility which will also be good for the environment.
The much-loved matches of the junior section were watched by about 50 football fans each game which included family members ranging from months to 80 years plus. The Under 15s final was won by the GNG Leicester, and it seems no one can stop the amazing Punjab United Derby who won the Walsall, Birmingham and now Leicester Under 13s tournament. One of their player Dhian Singh pointed out so far in the three tournaments we have played 15 matches, drawn only one game against FC Khalsa Leicester and won all the rest of matches. We do not train much but we sure have fun and enjoying playing our football.
Ajmer Singh Matharu who was the first Sikh-turban warranted Police Officer not only in Leicester but whole of England in 1970 was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his service s to sports pointed out that the annual Leicester Tournament included Hockey, Kabaddi, Rope Pulling, Weightlifting, Running, Long Jump, fun runs for young and old. It was held during the Leicester summer holidays, attended by 100 % males and held at the Saffron Lane Stadium which had all the best facilities which including seatings for thousands.
Due to a very serious chest injury a player had to be taken to hospital via Air Ambulance. Due to the all-other matches in that section were cancelled. The player is still recovering from his injury. In hospital. A very special match took place on Sunday between the NORTH {players from Leicester, Derby and Birmingham} and SOUTH {players from Southall, Slough and Hounslow} the over 45s show game which wasn’t played at walking pace. One ex-player of the Leicester tournament who is now a pensioner went from the youth grounds to the adult section ground in his car, such is the difficulties for the those attending.
PRESENTATIONS
It is very sad and disappointing that the senior section is slowly and surely being forgotten about. The number of teams taking part in the Premier and Division 1 have been reduced by 50% and before too long that may be reduced by another 50%. Some of the finalists in the senior section said that the standard of trophies were the worst they had ever seen. Even in the Junior section the winners of Under 13s trophies were handed out to the Under 11s and the Winners of Under 13s were given the 3rd place medallions which they rightly refused. I can remember the Leicester Football Tournament held at Victoria Park when all the Junior and Senior Presentations were done at one time, and EVERYONE gave a round of loud claps for the PREMIER DIVISIIN WINNERS which should be the ULTIMATE GOAL of all players ie. TO BE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE PREMIER DIVISIIN. The winners of the last year’s Premier Division should be invited to present the trophies. Organisers make it a habit of prolonging and confusing the presentation by asking so many different guests to present the trophies.
