Opener succumbs to chaos

PUNE, Jan 22: It was a sorry beginning for the IVth late Capt. Vasantrao Deshpande football tournament at the New English School, Tilak Road. And all courtesy the PDFA referees who never turned up on the opening day.

The tournament in its fourth year is organised by Friends XI. Both teams, Knights XI and Camp XI, turned up at the scheduled time for the opening encounter, though ground preparations including the line markings were yet to be completed. Later, further enquiry with Rajesh Bhosale, member of the PDFA who arrived at the ground after 6.00 p.m., it turned out to be a case of misunderstanding. While Jayant Deshpande, one of the organisers, insisted that the PDFA were well informed about the schedule the official argued that through receipt of their letter it was understood that the actual tournament would begin a day later after a formal inauguration today.

Nevertheless, the organisers were kept in the lurch for quite some time in the evening and were helpless without the PDFA referees. Later they went ahead with the inauguration, by Balasaheb Dighe and Mrs Neeta Math, principal of the New English School. The fixture for the day was then converted into a friendly match for the benefit of the spectators present with a makeshift referee.

A total of 18 teams are in the fray this year which also includes last year8217;s winner Shivajians B. The tournament is being played on a knockout basis. In tomorrow8217;s fixture Dynamites will take on Telecom Colony at 4.30 p.m.