3 in the final to lift the IISJ Alumni Association (IISJAA) Football Premiere League tournament (IFPL) trophy here recently. The IFPL tournament, seven-week long event consisting of 58 matches among 11 participating teams, comprising students and ex-students of IISJ. The matches were played at the Kaki Football Grounds (Khalidiyah). It was mainly sponsored by Saudi Gazette and co-sponsored by SMS Solutions, FRiENDi, Indomie, Digital Ways, Mix FM and Giordano. The final was thrilling encounter as both Spartans and Catalonia started off with attacking strategies which turned the match into a fast-paced entertaining encounter for the huge audience that showed up to cheer the teams. Just when the first half seemed headed to a goalless affair, Mohammed Zaman opened the score for Spartans from the corner with a fantastic volley that landed right into the goal. This opened the way for further goals, as Catalonia kept finding the net, but it was a Spartans game all the way. As with all tense games, the final also had its share of rough tackles with the medical team running to the field at times. At the end of the match Spartans were all smiles following a 5-3 win and lifting the IFPL trophy. Mohammed Zamaan, Mohammed Wariya (brace), Khaled Nasser and Saeed Nasser scored for the Spartans, while Assam, Saif and Sami netted for Catalonia. Earlier in the semifinals Catalonia breezed past EFS FC 5-2, while Spartans advanced to the final having topped the league. The awarding ceremony followed the final match. Mahmoud Ahmed, managing editor of Saudi Gazette, was the chief guest on the occasion. Guests of Honor included: IISJ Principal Syed Masood Ahmed, Director of SMS Solutions Saeed Syed, Director of Digital Ways Taymour Bukhari, Head of Communications of FRiENDi Mobile Sohail Siddiqui, Representative of MixFm Abrar Khan and Sports Editor of Saudi Gazette K.O. Paulson. IISJAA Treasurer Nabeel Sheikh welcomed the guests and gave an introductory speech followed by a welcome address by IISJAA President Suhail Mehdi, who appreciated the sponsors and instrumental personalities who helped make the event a success. Among them were: Mohammed Zamaan, Samiuddin Shah, Abdullah Abdul Rahman, Syed Aziz, Abdul Rahman M. Baig and Imran Kauser. Certificates of appreciation were presented to the volunteers who were part of the 7-week tournament. The awards were picked up by the following: Best Kit Award - FC Brotherz. Fair Play Award - FC Bavarians. Inspiration Award - FC Legends. Young Promising Talent – 1. Ashraf - EFS FC, 2. Noah Ismail – Spartans, 3. Suleiman Khan - FC Bavarians, 4. Syed Omer – Friendz United, 5. Haatim – Never United, 6. Usman – Athletic Alliance. Best Goalkeeper - Nadir Hameed of FC Spartans. Top Goals Scorers (awarded golden/silver and bronze boots) Towfiq Nazar of EFC FC (34), Hasan Shoaib of Athletic Alliance (25) and Waleed Nasir of FC Spartans (21). Player of the Tournament - Waleed Nasir of FC Spartans. Man of the Final (presented with Mobile Phones sponsored by Friendi) - Mohammed Zamaan Ahmed Zahid of FC Spartans and Omer Mohammed Saleem of Catalonia. Participation Awards - Athletic Alliance, Desi Stars, Gladiators and Never United. As a gesture to maintain the IISJAA motto -For the Students, By the Students - a TV set was awarded to the International Indian School Jeddah that was sponsored by Friendi Mobile. Syed Masood, principal of IISJ, praised the organizers for successfully conducting the tournament. Mahmood Ahmed handed over the championship and first runner-up trophies to FC Spartans and Catalonia, respectively. The second runner-up trophy was presented to EFS FC by K.O. Paulson. The ceremony ended with a vote of thanks by Syed Maqdoom Ali, IISJAA vice president. This season of IFPL was widely appreciated by the alumni for its rebranding and the success of the event due to the large number of participants and regular social media buzz. As part of the recognition, FC Legendz and the IISJAA Seniors awarded the Executive Committee with a trophy for its hard work and innovation. The participating teams were: Athletic Alliance, Catalonia, Desi Stars, EFS FC, FC Brotherz, FC Spartans, FC Bavarians, FC Legends, Friends United, Gladiators and Never United. - SG
