Memorial Cups promise good soccer, great fun

Soccer players, enthusiasts, men, women and children can expect five days of quality soccer filled with festivities and fun as the ‘International Veterans Soccer & Carnival’ gets going in South Auckland later this month.

Humm 106.2 FM Radio is the main sponsor of the event, which will reportedly attract soccer enthusiasts from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and the US.

They will test their strength, stamina and merit at a series of matches commencing on January 24 at the Mangere Park Sports Stadium located at (101 Robertson Road) the South Auckland suburb of Mangere.

The matches will decide the winners of the S M Singh Memorial Cup for Over 35s (14^th in an annual series) and the Billy Singh Memorial Cup (fourth in an annual series) for Over 40s.

As well as trophies and certificates, a total cash prize of $12,000 is also at stake, along with a number of other prizes.

International visitors

Ayaaz Khan, President of the New Zealand Fiji Veterans Soccer Association (NZFVSA) said that soccer bonanza will feature 28 teams, 16 of which will compete for the SM Singh Cup, while 12 will vie for the Billy Singh Cup.

At press time, the following teams had registered for participation in the Tournament.

Overseas: Sydney Ba defending champions for SM Singh Cup, Nalawa BV defending champions for Billy Singh Cup, Sydney Bua, Sydney Labasa, Sydney Nadroga, Sydney Suva, Sydney Nadi, Sydney Savusavu and Sydney Nadogo.

Local: Nadro/Federal Combined, Suva Masters, DAV Old Boys, Hamilton Veterans, Rewa Veterans, Nadi Veterans, Jetset Blues, Dreketi Masters, Savusavu Veterans, Labasa Veterans, Marist Old Boys, Lautoka Masters, Lautoka Blues, Ba Veterans, NZ Hasbeens, Nadroga Veterans and Nasinu Masters.

Mr Khan said that entry is free for all and that the five-day event this year would attract more men, women and children since there would be activities that would appeal to families.

Technical Advisor Abbas Ali said that the annual tournament has been growing from strength to strength over the years.

Three-year contract

Humm FM has reportedly agreed to be the main sponsors for three consecutive years, a decision, which Managing Director Roshila Prasad and Director Satyan Prasad said was a part of the company’s commitment to serve the community.

Mr Khan paid tributes to NZFVSA founders Iliyas Daud, Vimlesh Singh, Master Ajmat Ali (Auckland) and Dr Rajen (Australia) for their efforts to bring together soccer lovers on a common platform and share the glories and memories of the game.

He also acknowledged the services of other members of the Organising Committee including Long serving Vice President James Kado, James Kumar, Kamlesh Naidu, Iqbal Hussein, Shalendra Narayan, Viran Kutti, Nur Ahmad, Noel Joseph, Francis Kumar, Krishna Lal, Hassan Bhai and Robert Prasad.

With reporting by Gyanandra Kumar, Secretary, NZFVSA