Mumbai Sporting Bags MSC National Level Football Trophy Beating Soccer Ullal 4-2
Mangaluru: Mangalore Sporting Club (MSC) national level invitation football tournament concluded with Mumbai Sporting winning the championship trophy by beating Soccer Ullal with a score of 4-2 at the Nehru Football Stadium here, on April 25.
The winners took home the trophy, individual medals and a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and the runner-up took home the runner-up trophy, individual trophy and a cash prize of Rs 25,000. The national level tournament was held in the city from the past 12 days at the same venue and various teams from all over India took part.
During the closing ceremony, Former Mayor, K Ashraf welcomed the gathering and Chief Secretary of MSC, KM Ashraf highlighted the journey of MSC through more than 50 years of it’s existence.
District Minister In-charge, Ramanath Rai said, “Dakshina Kannada has given several sportsmen to the nation. We are sandwiched between the states of Kerala and Goa, which are well ahead in football, so there is ample scope for developing football in this region as well. Promoting sports needs a lot of real estate and acquiring land is not easy in today’s scenario, so it is very important that we develop the existing stadiums for this purpose.”
Deputy Commissioner AB Ibrahim said, “We have placed a proposal in front of the MCC to build this ground exclusively for football. Football is a game of commoners and doesn’t require much investment. Sports Minister, Abhaychandra Jain has already set aside Rs 1 crore towards developing this ground and a turf pitch may be built soon.”
MLC Ivan D’Souza said, “In the era of cricket, it is good to observe the development of football in the nation. Nowadays you can find football being played everywhere. Minister Jain is very supportive and has given Rs 2 lakh towards the tournament and I am sure he will surely develop football in the district.” He also urged MLA Mohiuddin Bava, who is the owner of cricket team Mangalore United to take the initiative of building a cricket stadium for the district.
Bava said, “In India, football is limited to West Bengal, Goa, and Kerala. It is heartwarming to know that our district is doing its bit to develop football in our state as well. Such promotion is required as we don’t find India qualifying for any world football tournaments.”
Youth Congress leader, Mithun Rai said, “MSC has done a wonderful job of inviting teams from different parts of the country. Teams from Mumbai, Goa and Chennai got a chance to play in Mangalore and the locals got a chance to witness these players.”
MUDA chairman Ibrahim Kodijal said that football gave a chance to realise the Indian motto of unity in diversity as players of all religions and castes played in the sport without any discrimination. Former Mayor, Mahabala Marla, KA Mohammed Masood, Vijay Suvarna and Hemanth Shetty also spoke on this occasion. A cultural programme was held after the formal closing ceremony.