(Samaj Weekly)- Organised by Walsall Asian Sports Association (WASA) and Khalsa Football Federation (KFF), the first football tournament kicked off on 27th May at 9.00 am at the Aston University Recreation Centre, Birmingham Road, Walsall, West Midlands in which teams from all over the country took part and was enjoyed by thousands.
A total of 38 teams in the senior section – 8 in the Premier Division, 8 in Division 1, 16 in Division 2 and 6 in the Veterans Over 35s took part. In the Premier Division, Singh Brothers Derby beat Singh Sabha Hounslow 6-2 in the first match and Singh Sabha Slough 4-1 to reach the final. In the same division Punjab United Wolves beat GSA 5-3 and Smethwick FC 6-3 to reach the final played on Sunday. Sikh Hunters Walsall and Leamington contested the Division 1 final In Division 2 the finalists were Queens Park Bedford and Singh Brothers Derby, Veterans Over 35s finalist were FC Punjab Sandwell and Shere Punjab Birmingham.
In the Junior Section there were teams in Under 8s, Under 9s, Under 11, Under 13s, Under 15s. One of the most loved group to watch in this section is the Under 8s which was won by GNG Leicester. The final of the Under 15s was evenly contested between FC Khalsa Leicester and Punjab United Derby with the latter winning.
A very keen football enthusiast who has been going to these tournaments for decades commented “ Great football for all the family to enjoy and played on great pitches. Thank you Walsall and all the individual volunteers who made this possible.”.
The tournament was enjoyed by all group ages of females and males from 3 months to the elderly over 80 years, disabled, different castes and religions. What made it extra special was the free parking, free children’s facilities such as bouncy castles, penalty shoot out and Bull ride, free vegetarian food, tea and bottles of water which were very healthy drinks in the hot weather. Apart from other stalls, there was Ladies Suits stall and SAVE A LIFE stall where healthy adults volunteered to give their names in a register to give sample of blood and if their blood sample matched the needy patient then they could save a life.
