Indian Sports Centre (ISC) recently organised a futsal tournament as part of its ‘Year of Sports’ campaign, which saw Mates Qatar emerge as champions after defeating City Exchange FC in the final.
As an apex body under the Embassy of India in Qatar, ISC developed the ‘Year of Sports’ campaign to promote and encourage sports activities among the Indian expatriate community.
The exciting two-day competition was held at Al Andalus Boys’ School indoor hall in Lusail with 14 teams. In the end, Mates Qatar and City Exchange FC reached the final, after defeating Atletico D Orbit and Zero Gravity respectively in the semifinals.
The title decider saw both sides match each other in a hard-fought contest, and the score read 2-2 at the end of normal time. The match then headed to a penalty shootout, where Mates Qatar goalkeeper Jackin’s heroics helped his side prevail with a 3-1 win. Jackin was named as the best goalkeeper of the tournament, while his teammate Ashiq won the best player award. Salman of Zero Gravity finished as the top-scorer with five goals, while the best emerging player title went to Aloysius of Phoenix FC.
Capt Atla Mohan, Defence Attache at the embassy of India and co-ordinating officer of ISC, and Hassan Chougle, ISC president, presented trophies and cash awards to Mates Qatar and City Exchange. ISC vice-presidents Sharaf P Hameed and E P Abdulrahman also presented awards and mementos to players, officials and volunteers.
Other dignitaries participating in the prize distribution ceremony included Nisha Agarwal, ISC general secretary; Arun Kumar, joint secretary; Sreenivas, secretary for cricket; Safeer Rahman, secretary for football; Milan Arun, former president of Indian Cultural Centre (ICC); and Jafar Khan, Head of Sports ICC. The following 14 teams participated in the tournament: Mates Qatar, City Exchange FC, Atletico D Orbit, Zero Gravity, Phoenix FC, St. Angelo Fort Kannur, AtoZ Lions, LARES, AITMAQ, Tamil Nadu FC, MADRE, UNIQ, Ole FC, and Qatar Masters.
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