(Samaj Weekly)
Derby{Tarlochan Singh Virk} Football teams and supporters from all over the country converged to the East Midlands to enjoy the Khalsa Football Federation’s last tournament of this year at Sinfin Moor Playing Fields, Derby on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd July.
After successful tournaments which began in May at Walsall, then Birmingham, Leicester, Bedford, the grand finale of this year’s summer tournaments was held at Derby where 33 senior and 39 junior teams played the beautiful game.
The tournament had a truly family atmosphere with boys and girls, young and old, mums and dads as well as babies in prams watching various games and enjoying their Sunday.
In the Junior section THE AMAZING, SIMPLY THE BEST, HISTORY MAKING Punjab United Derby were the winners once again as they beat FC KHALSA Leicester 2-0 in the final. Punjab United Derby Under 13 team have won all 5 tournaments this year which has most likely never been done before. Nottingham Sikh Lions came 3rd.
Similarly, Punjab United Under 15s beat FC Khalsa Leicester in one of the highest scoring final matches ever. Walsall All-stars came 3rd. The final of Under 11s had to be decided by penalties where Milton Keynes won against GNP Coventry. Punjab United Derby came 3rd.
The most watched game of the tournament was the final of the Premier Division between GNG Leicester and GSA where there were supporters all around the pitch. The game was played at very fast pace with loads of hard tackles and players trying their utmost best. In the end GNG Leicester were worthy winners scoring 4 goals with GSA scoring 2. The Leicester club also won the Division 1 and Over 35s division.
In a very special match so that players that used to play in these tournaments few decades ago stay in good health a match for the Over 45s was played between FC KHALSA Leicester and Bedford which the Midlanders won 2-0.
Congratulations to the dedicated Derby Sports Committee for organising excellent tournament with good facilities all in one place for which a very special credit goes to Councillor Ajit Singh Atwal for securing these grounds. Long serving Derby Sports Committee member Mr. Cheema said we are pleased that everything went very well but we all miss the diamond of our Sports Committee Jagir Singh who passed away few years ago.
