Don Bosco lift coveted CRC Trophy
20th edition 9-a-side football Tournament
KUWAIT CITY, April 15: Don Bosco Oratory emerged champions of the 20th Edition CRC Chinchinim 9-aside Football Tournament beating Skynet Raiders in the tie-breaker in the finals played at MoH grounds, Shuwaikh.
The tie-breaker was enforced after the teams failed to break the deadlock in a pulsating final. Don Bosco turned out better shooters from the spot. Godfrey Aguair and Roney excelled for Don Bosco, while Skynet goalkeeper Melvin showed immense reflexes throughout the tournament.
Earlier, in the semifinals, Don Bosco defeated Indian Strikers and Skynet Raiders overcame in form AVC to reach the finals.
A number of dignitaries and presidents of participating clubs attended the finals. Glittering prizes and trophies were awarded to the winners and runners-up.
Samson of Skynet was awarded Man of the Match while Godfrey Aguiar was adjudged best defender of the tournament.
CRC Chinchinim President Bosco Leitao spoke on the occasion and also proposed a Vote of Thanks. Vice-President of the CRC Chinchinim Venancio Pereira, Anthony H. Viegas — Sports-Incharge, Gen. Secretary Mr. Olvin Leitao, Lester Fernandes — Team coordinators, Anthony Fernandes — Team Manager, and other members of the club were also present on the occasion.
Aleixo Minguel Fernandes, CRC Chinchinim’s longest serving player and member was felicitated on the occasion at the hands of Olvin Leitao.
The prestigious and popular CRC established ‘Athlete of the Year’ award instituted since 1994 was presented to Fidelis Fernandes, President of Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF), for yeomen services rendered in the promotion of football among Indian expatriates.
The award was presented at the hands of CRC Chinchinim President Bosco Leitao.
The award winner, Fidelis Fernandes, hails from Colva, Salcette, Goa and has been President of KIFF for four consecutive years. He is associated with KIFF for several years in various positions and has been elected in the past to executive committees of New Goan Overseas Association (1987), Goan Welfare Society (GWS) (1989), Colva United CentreKuwait (2005), Kuwait Goan Association (KGA), among others.
Though he is not a sportsman himself, during his younger days till now, Fidelis has been prominent as a well-known sports administrator. Throughout his career in Goa, in his village, he is known for organizing sports events at every level — and mainly in his village school Infant Jesus High School.
He was elected general secretary of Sporting Club of Colva, back home in Goa, in the year 1973.
Inheriting his father’s aptitude for sports, Fidelis embarked in the promotion of Football among expatriates. His major step in this direction was the formation of one sports body called New Goan Overseas Association (NGOA) to promote football. In 1990, under his Presidency, NGOA football team created a unique record by being the first Kuwait Goan team to play exhibition matches in Bahrain.
Fidelis came into more limelight as an able sports administrator after the invasion and liberation of Kuwait when he joined Goan Overseas Association as its Sports Secretary.
Following is the list of ‘Athlete of the Year’ award winners.
1. Alcantra Barretto (Navelim Youth Centre) -1995; 2. Francis Machado (CRC Chinchinim) — 1996; 3. V.K. Vohra (ex-President, KIFF) — 1997; 4. Inacio Faleiro (ex-President, KIFF) — 1998; 5. Tony Coutinho (GOA Maroons) — 1999; 6. Judas Fernandes (CRC Chinchinim) — 2000; 7. Cajetan Godinho (Veterans XI) — 2001; 8. Joseph Salema (United Goans Centre) — 2002; 9. Sarto Baptista (United Friends Club) — 2003; 10. Gasper Crasto (Navelim Youth Centre) — 2004; 11. Gajendra Pillay (GOA Maroons) — 2005; 12. Tony Dias (exPresident KIFF & Santos FC) — 2006; 13. Julio Cardoso (GOA Maroons) — 2007; 14. Tony Gonsalves (United Goans) — 2008; 15. Avelino Dias (Navelim Youth Centre) — 2009; 16. Anthony Rebello (Curtorcares United) — 2010; 17. Americo Fernandes; (Navelim Youth Centre) — 2011 and 18. Fidelis Fernandes — 2012-13.
The Cultural and Recreational Club of Chinchinim as the name indicates is an organization for Chinchonkars based in Kuwait.
Founded in 1992, by only a handful of Chinchonkars, CRCC Kuwait started initially as a Football club. At the same time they also founded the CRC football tournament also known as the BBK trophy because of the financial backing by the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait.
The club also organizes annual picnics for its members and their families in addition to other get-togethers held during the year.