Al-Wurood runner-up

JEDDAH — Novel International School, Jeddah emerged champion in the BEST Cup Under-14 Football Tournament by toppling reigning champion New Al-Wurood International School, Jeddah, 1-0.

Al-Khozama Dammam, Al-Yasmin Riyadh, Talal Jeddah, Ahdab Jeddah, Mahdul Uloom Jeddah and Dhua Al-Uloom Jeddah, were the other school teams vied for honors in this prestigious championship, hosted by New Al-Wurood here.

The only goal of the final came in the second half of extra time. Wuroodians were by far the better side in the regular time. But from the very beginning of the second half of extra time Novel went all out and fetched a one-goal lead and it tactically clung on to it till the final whistle. Novel, which had lost to New Al-Wurood 2-1 during group game earlier, thus settled a score. New Al-Wurood fought hard for a draw in vain.

Novel goalkeeper Irfan pulled off a spectacular one-man show in the tiebreaker against Mahdul Uloom International School Jeddah in the semifinal. Mahdul Uloom, however, won the second runner-up title by clinching the losers’ final.

The immensely skilled Al-Khozama’s dream of making it to the final was over in the semifinal. Al-Khozama had impressed very much in the group matches and made its presence felt in the championship to emerge as the team to beat.

Earlier, Mir Ferozuddin, president of India Forum, inaugurated the 7th edition of the BEST Cup at Al-Ittihad Stadium here.

BEST Cup Under-14 Football Tournament is a mission of finding out the genuine talents in football initiated by the BEST group of schools in KSA. It is a great venture to expose students to the values of fair play and disciplined way of life by obeying rules of the game through comradeship among the CBSE schools in the Kingdom.

BEST schools have qualified and skilled trainers in their campuses. They provide intense training to the students on a daily basis. Apart from this, Victor Manjila, former Indian international, has also been coaching the selected teams of players in the group of schools for the last 8 years with a well-structured schedule. Quality training and the platforms BEST Cup offers fuel students’ desire to continue playing and practicing that are both challenging and fun.

Group Manager of BEST Schools, S.M. Noushad, was the chief guest during the closing ceremony. Deputy Group Manager Razi Shaikpareeth, Principal of Novel Int’l School Mohammed Shafeeq and Principal of the host school Peter Ronald were guests of honor. Headmasters of Novel International School and New Al-Wurood George and Sunilkumar along with the Admin Officer Anees graced the occasion.

Saif Jameel of Mahdul Uloom Int’l School was crowned the best player of the tournament. Mohammed Mahjoud of Al-Khozama Int’l School was acclaimed the top scorer and Irfan of Novel Int’l School the best goalkeeper. Talal International School, Jeddah, won the fair play award.

The well-organized tournament with excellent commitment from teachers, administrative and transport staff of the New Al-Wurood came to a grand close with words of thanks from Headmaster Sunilkumar. — SG