JEDDAH — The second Elite Blasters Soccer League 2019, organized by Blasters FC Jeddah, will kick off at Jeddah Hilal Shyam Stadium here Friday.

This is the second time that Blasters FC is conducting such a major tournament by cooperating with Saudi Indian Football Forum (SIFF). Teams that are registered with SIFF are only eligible to take in this tournament, where SIFF is the main entity which regulates football activities of Indian community in Jeddah since 1995.

This was announced by Blasters FC Jeddah officials at a press meet here recently.

The matches will be held on a league-cum-knockout basis and teams from different Divisions of SIFF are participating in this tournament which is being conducted in three categories.

Only A-Division teams are competing in Super League, while B-Division teams will vie for honors in the second tier named as B-Division League. The Under-17 registered teams will play in a different category for youth.

This exciting soccer festival will create a carnival mood and entertainment at Hilal Shyam Stadium for six weeks for the expatriate community.

Major teams from Jeddah like Friends Jeddah, ACC, Real Kerala and hosts Blasters FC are eyeing the title in Super League. Star players from different Indian clubs are expected to don the jerseys of some renowned teams here, making it a spectacular show.

The winners of the tournament will be presented with a Super League trophy and prize money by Elite. Jeddah National Hospital, Sharifia Trading, Sabine, Badr Tamim Poly Clinic, Shifa Jeddah, SkyMont Travels Watches and Al-Abeer Medical Center are the main sponsors. The organizers have also provided bumper gifts to the spectators.

SIFF President Baby Neelambra (President of Siamese), Dr. Ashraf (Badr Tamam),

Hanif (Sky Mount), Riyas Manjeri (President of Blasters), Cherry Mancheri, Salim (Elite - Azimco) and Aboo Kattuppara (Gen. Secretary, Blasters) attended the press meeting.

The fixture releasing ceremony was presided by club president Riyas. The event was inaugurated by Baby Neelambra. Felicitation speeches were delivered by Dr. Ashraf, Shabeer Ali Lava (SIFF General Secretary), Abdul Karim (SIFF Tressurer), Ibrahim (ACC team manager), Mohajir (Real Kerala), Shafiq Pattambi (Blue Star), Jamsi (Friends Jeddah Club), Haneefa (SkyMont), Iqbal Master (Talent Teens), Khaleel Perinthalmanna and Salim (Super). Abu Kattappara welcomed the audience.

The draw of fixtures was professionally moderated by Anwar Vallanchira and Harris Konnola. Mohammed Alungal proposed the vote of thanks.

Opening day’s matches (from 7:00 p.m.):

FC Kuwaisa vs. Blue Star Seniors, Friends Blasters vs. Blue Star and Real Kerala FC vs. Elite Blasters FC. — SG