Mates Qatar players and officials celebrate winning the ISC Futsal Tournament.
Doha: The Indian Sports Centre (ISC) organised a futsal tournament as part of its Year of Sports campaign, which saw Mates Qatar emerge as champions after defeating City Exchange FC in the final.
As an apex body under the Embassy of India in Qatar, the ISC developed the Year of Sports campaign to promote and encourage sports activities among the Indian expatriate community.
The futsal tournament was another in a long line-up of events that were held as part of the campaign. The exciting two-day competition was held at Al Andalus Boys’ School indoor hall in Lusail, with 14 teams battling it out for glory.
Mates Qatar and City Exchange FC reached the final after defeating Atletico D Orbit and Zero Gravity, respectively, in the semifinals. The title decider saw both sides match each other in a hard-fought contest, and the score was tied at 2-2 at the end of normal time. The match then headed to a penalty shootout, where Mates Qatar goalkeeper Jackin’s heroics helped his side prevail 3-1.
Jackin was named the best goalkeeper of the tournament, while his teammate Ashiq won the best player award. Salman of Zero Gravity finished as the top scorer with five goals, while the best emerging player title went to Aloysius of Phoenix FC.
Capt. Atla Mohan, Defence Attache at the Embassy of India and coordinating officer of the ISC, and Hassan Chougle, ISC President, presented trophies and cash awards to Mates Qatar and City Exchange.
ISC vice-presidents Sharaf P Hameed and EP Abdulrahman also presented awards and mementos to players, officials and volunteers.
Other dignitaries participating in the prize distribution ceremony included Nisha Agarwal (General Secretary, ISC), Arun Kumar (Joint Secretary, ISC), Sreenivas (Secretary for Cricket, ISC), Safeer Rahman (Secretary for Football, ISC), Milan Arun (former president, Indian Cultural Centre), and Adv. Jafarkhan (Head of Sports, Indian Cultural Centre).
