Five-a-side Football 2013 Saturday 16th March 2013 Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah, On Saturday 16 th March 2013 the Kathor Muslim Society UK five-a-side football tournament took place. It was the second time the Society had organised such an event after the immense success of the inaugural event in 2011. Another opportunity for young UK Kathorians to unite with one another and participate in a football tournament which promised outstanding entertainment. The spectators were not disappointed by the action. All the participating teams displayed outstanding sportsmanship, brotherhood and above all - talent! After the great success of the first football tournament in 2011 and the increased number of young members participating in the efforts and pursuits of the Society, it was decided that a subsequent event be held. The stage was set; the expectations high and the opportunity to become the next champions of the Kathor Muslim Society football tournament was within sight. Arrival & breakfast, table football for the youngsters. Teams arrived from across the country London, Gloucester, Preston, Leicester, Bolton and Nuneaton. All in all nine teams were ready to go head to head to be crowned the next champions and knock Nuneaton All Stars off their well-earned champions position as first ever winners. Keeping all our guests fed.
As requested, all the teams arrived on time at The Friendship Café as and helped themselves to a light breakfast. Many of the groups had set off early to reach the event on time and so a light breakfast was just what they needed to give them the necessary fuel for the action that was to follow. There was plenty of time allowed for people to get to know each other and socialise by playing pool, table tennis and generally chatting away before the pre tournament brief and welcome. All the trophies lined up. The Kathor Cup in the background, a new addition for 2013 event. This time all members of the Kathor Muslim Society of UK were invited to take part and attend the event; a direct result of feedback received from Society members. Alhumdulillah, over 30 members (including many of our elders) attended the event to support our youngsters, and to socialise themselves which was very pleasing to see. Hafiz Ibrahim Parekh opened the event with tilawat of the Holy Quran. Saleem Parekh, the Society President, welcomed elders and participants with some opening words, expressing his utmost appreciation for all who had attended the event and explained the aims and objectives for holding such an event. He began the day on a positive note and led the way for things to follow. Introduction & welcome by Society President Saleem Parekh.
Suleman Dadabhai and Ebrahim Dhalech covered the tournament format, a quick summary of the rules and once again emphasised the reason for the Society hosting such events. All participants were reminded of the fact that they were also representing the Islamic faith and that their actions should be appropriate. Then it was off to GL1 Leisure Centre for the tournament to commence! London All Stars tactics for the game? This time we had nine teams taking part from all over the UK, an increase of one team from the inaugural tournament. The teams were split into three groups by area i.e. North, South and Midlands. Each team would play every team from outside of their group, meaning six games for each team in the first round alone. The top team from each group would go through to an IPL style knockout stage. Skill, resilience and determination would all have to be demonstrated in order to succeed in the tournament and that is exactly what was on show. From the very beginning of the event, talent and skill were being demonstrated and exhibited. There were some very closely contested games, which had spectators at the edge of their seats in excitement alongside some outright thrashings. At the break for Zuhr salat the decision was taken to allow the best runner up to proceed through to a more traditional semi final set up. This would give one more team the chance to go through and compete and also make the event more interesting. At the end of the first round London Young Guns, Bolton All Stars and Nuneaton All Stars occupied top places in their respective groups. E17 Bulls taking some time out. Bolton Wandaras came through as best runners up by quite a considerable margin. London All Stars narrowly losing out to the Young guns on goal difference! The wooden spoon for a second time was handed to a Gloucester team It s all about the participation lads unlucky Generation Gap! Wooden spoons to Generation Gap!
Imran & Yusuf Gloucester Gladiators. The semi-finals were drawn at random and picked out of a hat. This led to Nuneaton All Stars taking on the Bolton Wandaras and London Young Guns taking on the Bolton All Stars -both Bolton teams making it to the semis at the first time of asking! Could we have an all Bolton final on our hands? Would it be a North versus South encounter in the final? The atmosphere was electrifying and the expectations ever rising. In the first semi-final Nuneaton All Stars and Bolton Wandaras started off very tentatively with both teams fighting it out and neither team looking in complete control of the game. Towards the end, two quick goals by the Nuneaton All Stars ensured they were through to the finals once again for the second tournament running. The second semi-final was full of total excitement from the word go. It eventually ended 1-1 and went to the dreaded penalty shoot out to decide the fate of both teams. The buzz in the air was evident as the penalty shoot out began, with Bolton missing the first attempt and London burying their first one. Eventually Bolton went on to win the game with a final score of 3 2. It was largely down to the goalkeeper Jabir Toorawa, who saved four of the five penalties that he was faced with. This was it; the final of the 2013 KMS Football Tournament was about to take place between Bolton All Stars and Nuneaton All Stars. With very little to call between the sides it was hard to pick an The final gets underway. outright winner. Would Nuneaton maintain their 100% unbeaten record for the second year running or would Bolton be crowned the new champions?
It was all to play for and my word the fans in for some entertainment. The game started steadily with both teams desperate not to concede early goals, however Nuneaton took the lead and deservedly stayed there with the game ending 3 1 but only after valiant efforts by all of the Bolton All Stars players to recover lost ground. Runners-Up, Bolton All Stars (front) Zaid Varachia, Oranzeb Randera & Suliman Toorawa. (back) Irfan Oomer, Siraaj Seedat, Ahmed Randera & Dawud Oomer (presenting) and Jabir Toorawa. Congratulations to Bolton All Stars on becoming finalists in their first ever tournament, particularly impressive when they played with only five players throughout the tournament. Nuneaton All Stars winners of the Kathor Muslim Society of UK five-a-side football tournament for a second successive time beating Bolton All Stars 3 1. Congratulations to them on their Success! Winners, Nuneaton All Stars. Presenting Idris Dala & AbdulKadir Hariff. Zaid Abwat, Ahmed Namvar, Imran Vorajee, Danyal Vorajee, Saleem Clegg, Aamir Toorawa, Suleman Dadabhai, (front) Muath Vorajee & Aamir Clegg. Ahmed Randera and Dawood Omer presented the runners-up, Bolton All Stars, with their trophies. Idris Dala and Abdul Kadir Harif presented the winners, Nuneaton Allstars, with their trophies. Haroon Majoo presented the final award, for Most Valuable Player to Zaid Varachia having received the most nominations. Most Valuable Player - Zaid Varachia, presented by Haroon Majoo.
Rafiq Bhamla s wrist scarring post surgery. Kathor Muslim Society of United Kingdom There were demands for a Golden Gloves award feedback suggests the contenders were Jabir (Bolton), Basil (London), Zulfikar (Preston), Suleman (Nuneaton) and our very own Society trustee Mohammad Bhai (subbing for the E17 Bulls). Fair to say there was some excellent keeping on display and we ll be sure to consider an award at the next tournament. All the presented trophies were donated to the tournament. Officials in all sports have a hard time and it was no different for the men in charge at the event, all of whom were given their fair share of stick. The three referees, Anis Ghanti (Gloucester), Idris Bobat (Gloucester) and Mohsin Ghanchi (Nuneaton) had all given up their valuable time to come and support the event. Their great sacrifice is appreciated by all! All headed back to the Friendship Cafe for the awards and a late lunch. Asif Idris Dala, Joint Treasurer, presented an introduction to the Society and an outline of the various work and projects currently taking place. At the close each of the participants provided a short introduction to themselves. Unfortunately there were some casualties on the day, with three of the participants suffering moderate to serious injuries. Rafiq Bhamla fractured his wrist requiring surgery soon after the event see the scars! Yusuf Harif had his toe pulled back into place after managing to dislocate it during the course of a game. Zaid Kazi was taken to hospital after being hit against a wall leading to internal bruising and bronchial bleeding. Alhamdulillah, they have all made good recoveries. There were a few not so serious injuries - pulls, sprains and the like, mainly with the more senior players. Insha Allah this will provide the motivation to get into better shape! Alhamdulillah, with the blessings of Allah SWT, the day was a wonderful success. The feedback from all present was very positive and gratefully received. The Society will endeavour to meet the needs of UK Kathorians now and in the future together with its other activities. The Society is grateful to all those who made the effort to attend. Many had travelled for hours over long distances at their own expense, having given up time with their families and friends. Particular mention must go to the team captains for organising the teams and the local members for driving them down and providing support. It was pleasing to see all those attending enjoying the event, making new friends, meeting old ones and keeping those Kathorian relationships alive for the generations to come. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those who helped in the organisation and smooth running of the event. There are too many to thank all individually but special mention must go to all the Usman Vawda & Ashraf Dala taking care of the scoring. Gloucester Kathorians & businesses for their support in organising the event from weeks beforehand.
Not forgetting our many junior Kathorians running the scores from the pitches, taking photos and doing whatever else took their mood, they are: Aamir Clegg, Abdur-Rahman Dhalech, Adam Parekh, Hanzalah Randera, Haarith Timol, Suliman Toorawa, Rayhan & Ammaar Vahed, Muath Vorajee. Hand water pump in Millat Nagar, Mangrol, India. Good Atmosphere, Meeting other Kathorians for the first time Competitiveness whilst showing sportsmanship So much fun! This time the Society decided to have a collection to support a charitable activity. Alhamdullilah, the generous contributions raised 150. This has paid for the construction of a hand water pump in India, through the Ummah Welfare Trust. Final thoughts, it s your event and on the past two occasions you have made it a success. Your excellent character and respect for all has made it something that is valued and the Society looks forward to organising. The event was not defined by the organisation, the facilities, the food or even the football the participants defined its success ultimately and so we leave the final words to them. Here is some of the feedback left after the event: The main strength of the event was how well organised it was. Increased awareness of what the Society stands for and brought people of all ages together. Have a cricket match, Unity of Kathorian Muslim brothers Community cohesion - a good insight into the Society The strengths are youth, to see so many young Kathorians in one place. Great organisation, great participation, committed to help making event enjoyable. Excellent organisation & facilities. Spirit event was held in.! Stopping for Salah! More teams, Juniors football, Hold an annual dinner, Play-off for 3rd place Keep all up to date with Kathor on goings, Yearly football Different sports, maybe cricket?, Hold it in different cities To encourage more youngsters to take part & become active members of the Society Was-salaam, Kathor Muslim Society UK, October 2013.
Results LONDON NORTH MIDLANDS London Young Guns Bolton All Stars Generation Gap London All Stars Bolton Wandaras Gloucester Gladiators E17 Bulls Preston Panthers Nuneaton All stars Group Games London Young Guns 0 1 Bolton All Stars Preston Panthers 0 2 Nuneaton Allstars London All Stars 0 3 Bolton Wandaras E17 Bulls 1 1 Generation Gap Bolton All Stars 1 2 Nuneaton Allstars London Young Guns 2 3 Gloucester Gladiators London All Stars 2 0 Preston Panthers Bolton Wandaras 4 0 Generation Gap E17 Bulls 1 9 Gloucester Gladiators London Young Guns 2 5 Nuneaton Allstars Preston Panthers 4 1 Generation Gap London All Stars 1 2 Bolton All Stars E17 Bulls 1 5 Bolton Wandaras London Young Guns 5 2 Generation Gap Preston Panthers 1 0 Gloucester Gladiators Bolton Wandaras 2 4 Nuneaton Allstars E17 Bulls 0 6 Bolton All Stars London Young Guns 0 0 Preston Panthers London All Stars 1 1 Gloucester Gladiators E17 Bulls 0 5 Nuneaton Allstars Bolton All Stars 4 0 Generation Gap Bolton Wandaras 3 2 Gloucester Gladiators London All Stars 0 4 Nuneaton Allstars E17 Bulls 3 0 Preston Panthers Bolton All Stars 2 3 Gloucester Gladiators London Young Guns 3 2 Bolton Wandaras London All Stars 3 2 Generation Gap Semi Finals Nuneaton All Stars 2 0 Bolton Wandaras London Young Guns 3 2 Bolton All Stars (Pen) Finals Nuneaton All Stars 3 1 Bolton All Stars Nuneaton All Stars Winners 2013 Zaid Varachia (Bolton All Stars) Most Valuable Player 2013 Also nominated: Aamir Toorawa, Imran Parekh, Masud, Kazi, Auranzeb Randera, Hamza Dhalech, Imran Vorajee, Yusuf Parekh, Younus Vawda, Ibrahim Harif, Ismail Timol, Usman Parekh, Munir Timol, Ayub Harif, Imran Hassanjee, Mohamed Dadabhoy, Yusuf Dadabhoy
Bolton All Stars Oranzeb Randera Jabir Toorawa Zaid Varachia Yasin Lockhat Irfan Oomer Siraaj Seedat Kathor Muslim Society of United Kingdom Teams Generation Gap Uwais Vahed Mohammad Vahed Ahmed Goga Abdullah Lockhat Ebrahim Dhalech Rafiq Bhamla Imran Hassanjee London Young Guns Hasan Kazi Masud Kazi Zaid Kazi Humza Kazi Basil Bhaimia Nadeem Kazi Farhid Dadabhoy Bolton Wandaras Imran Hariff Yusuf Hariff Ayub Hariff Fayaz Amla Ebrahim Hariff Gloucester Gladiators Moosajee Parekh Imran Parekh Yaseen Parekh Ibrahim Parekh Usman Parekh Shakil Bhamla Yusuf Parekh Nuneaton Allstars Suleman Dadabhai Imran Vorajee Aamir Toorawa Saleem Clegg Daniel Vorajee Ahmed Namvar Zaid Abwat E17 Bulls Mohammad Vawda Azam Vawda Ozair Dadabhoy Imran Dadabhoy Munir Timol Mohammad Gora Parekh London All Stars Younus Vawda Suhail Vawda Yusuf Dadabhoy Mohammed Dadabhoy Imran Dadabhoy Hamzah Dhalech Bilal Manjoo Preston Panthers Ismail Timol Zulfiqar Ali Lockhat Naim Kazee Huzaifah Kazee Usman Dala Mohammed Ibrahim Omer Bashir Timol