SIFF President Hifsu Rahman (C) addresses a press conference in Jeddah recently. Others seen are (from L) Najeeb (Baby) Neelambra, Vice President; Nizam Kanhirala, Vice President; Naser Santapuram, General Secretary and Mohamed Ali Musliyarakath, Advisor. K.O. Paulson Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — The Saudi Indian Football Forum (SIFF), which is gearing up for its league championship, has decided to expand the tournament this year by adding one more event to this Indian expatriates' annual soccer festival here. Announcing the dates and participating teams of this year's event, SIFF President Hifsu Rahman underlined the importance of providing extra-curricular activity opportunities to the expatriate students and unveiled the new Under-17 tournament for clubs, making this year's championship a quadruple event – First Division, Second Division, Inter-School and the new U-17 affair. This soccer forum, formed in 1995, will now be conducting the 17th championship at the Ministry of Education Stadium, near the “H Bridge,” here from Nov. 29 under the patronage of the Indian Consulate and the supervision of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW). The fixture of the league will be released at a special function here Saturday. The Western Union Money Transfer is the title sponsor of the event, which will be supported by Nokia, JNH Hospital, Badr Tamam Polyclinic, VLCC, Zimo and Al-Abeer Medical Group. Sixteen teams from the 25 registered SIFF clubs will be in action at this four-month-long championship, according to SIFF Secretary Naser Santhapuram. Besides the eight teams in inter-school event, the four new under-17 clubs – Greenshore Teens, Sporting United Jeddah, Soccer Freakz and Jeddah Sports Clubs (junior) — will be the added attraction of this year's festival. The organizers, who have formed an elaborate 101-member committee to conduct the championship, have made special plans to arrange conveyance for soccer fans from industrial area, Sharafiya and other points. Matches, which will be played every Friday evening from Nov. 29, will be officiated by qualified Saudi referees. The finals will be conducted on two days. Besides an exhibition match for veterans above 40 years, the committee has planned cultural items on the inaugural day which will be attended by Indian Consul General, Youth Welfare officials, Ministry of Education Stadium authorities, Western Union officials, representatives from the sponsors and community leaders. A colorful march-past will be led by International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ) band.
