Media Release
Kuwait, Jun 26: The much awaited JP D’Mello Rolling Trophy - KIFF League final for season 2017-18 will be played on June 29 at Bayan Grounds between Kerala’s AKFC and Goa Maroons.
The final is sponsored by Gulf Cable & Electrical Industries Company.
KIFF president Derrick Gomindes stated that a number of dignitaries are expected to attend the final. An exhibition match between young, budding kids will be played prior to the final game.
The year-long ‘desert’ league which usually begins in October is played in extreme climatic conditions, sometimes in winter-cold as low as 2°C and summer temperatures soaring up to 50°C.
Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF), established in 1984 controls the league and tournaments organized in Kuwait.
Initially, the league consisted of 14 strong teams that included 3 new entrants. Teams were divided into 2 groups playing in a round-robin league. Top 4 teams from each group qualified for the knockout phase.
In the grueling league, players, coaches and teams give their best throughout the season to ensure they are top of their game. Players and organizers of the teams spend many hours fueling their brain and going over tactics, working on their confidence and motivating themselves and teammates to prove it on the field.
Apart from the 11-a-side league, other 11-a-side and 7-a-side tournaments are also conducted by KIFF every Friday.
Participating clubs for the season included Soccer Kerala, Curtorcares United, Indian Strikers FC, Skynet Miracles SC, United Goans Centre (UG Strikers), Goa FC, Pen Friends United, Don Bosco Oratory, FC Sparks, AVC Kuwait, Goa Maroons, Santos United, All Kerala Football Club, Tuskers FC, etc.
JP D'Mello KIFF league
JP Memorial Rolling Trophy - KIFF League is named after late Jerome Pascoal D’Mello (popularly known in India and Kuwait as JP).
JP was an ex-FIFA referee, member of Asian Football Confederation Referees Committee, and former secretary and member of Bombay Referees' Association.
A founder member of the federation, JP was the prime architect in conceiving the idea of forming KIFF. His memory is kept alive by KIFF through affiliated Indian clubs by naming the KIFF League after him.
JP who lived in Mumbai, died in 1994.