Annual Sanatan Soccer Tournament at Ash Road grounds in Preston (Sydney) last month was major source of attraction to the younger members of the community.
Ba and Liverpool had a one all draw in the under 16s match.
The Over 35s final Melbourne prevailed over Navua with a 1-0 win.
In the Over 40s competition, Savusavu beat Navua to win the veterans title.
The final between Ba and Vatukoula in the premier grade was the highlight of the tournament.
Vatukoula had some of Sydney’s best young players including Krishneel Kumar (Navtarang’s Sportsman of the Year 2010), Shane Kumar (Navtarang’s Sportsman of the Year 2012) and Karthik Singh (Australian Sanatan’s Player of the Tournament at Sanatan World Cup Vancouver 2012). Ashvin Maharaj was another star player in the Vatukoula team who deserved an award or recognition.
Ba team demonstrated class and Ronald, Kaushal, Reddy and Brinjan Singh provided rock solid defence to keep Vatukoula at bay.
Shalen Lal, Sandeep Singh and Shivam Sami had the midfield under control.
Sumen Pooni, Shiva Reddy and Shelvin (King) Prasad provided the strike force that Ba needed.
Shalen scored twice for Ba in a 3-2 win over Vatukoula.
Individual honours
Ba’s striker Shiva Reddy was awarded the ‘Golden Boot of the Tournament’ and Ba goalkeeper Ronald Singh was named ‘Goalkeeper of the Tournament.’
Vatukoula’s Shane Kumar was ‘Player of the Tournament,’ which he rightfully deserved. While Vatukoula is a new team to Fiji soccer in Sydney, there is no shortage of skills in this team, which comprised relatives, uncles as managers and coach, and nephews and cousins as the key players.
Australian Sanatan will host the Sanatan World Cup in Sydney in 2014.
The World Vice President for Australia, Jiten Chand proposed at the Sanatan World Cup held in Vancouver this year that netball for premier and veteran players be included in the 2014 matches.
“2014 will mark the 10th anniversary of the Sanatan World Cup and Round Two of the International Championship. Participation of women and youth will truly be a family focused occasion,” he said.
Australian Sanatan is now on Facebook.
Arveen Sharma is Senior Procurement/Contract Management Officer at the Treasury Directorate of the Federal Government of Australia based in Canberra.
