India embraces AFL

This article was adapted from sportskeeda.com

Six teams particpated in the tournament on India’s western coast: three junior and three senior sides.

The senior teams included Bengal Tigers, Maharashtra Giants and Kerala Bombers, while the Under 18 sides were Maharashtra Giants, Maharashtra Tigers and Tamil Nadu Kangaroos.

The Cup was played in round robin format with the top teams qualifying for the Grand Final.

The tournament was organised by the Australian Rules Football Association Of India (ARFAI) at the Village Panchayat Ground, Sangolda, Goa from 15th of November to 17th of November,2013, with a raft of high-profile AFL administrators, and some former football stars in attendance to officially open proceedings.

All three days of football action had their share of excitement, passion and drama, with some silky skills on display acrross all age groups.

 

The first day saw the coaches – including  Andrew Cadzow and Gavin Crosisca -train not just the players but the development officers of ARFAI, coaches/mentors from the different states,  and coaches from the international sports NGO Magic Bus.

There was some controversy during day two of the champiosnhips, with a scrap breaking out during a heated exchange between Kerala Bombers and Maharashtra Giants’ senior sides.

In the interests of rewarding fair play and good sportsmanship, both teams were disciplined, and Bengal Tigers were announced as victors.

Day three was highlighted by the junior decider between Maharashtra Giants and Maharashtra Tigers, with the Tigers prevailing by just three points in an entertaining contest.

The  AFL India-OGM Cup was presented by Wayne Lewis, Commissioner to India, State Government of Victoria. AFL-tragic Lewis, who has just settled in India, was overwhelmed at attending a football championships on the subcontinent, and promised to lobby the Victorian Government to provide increasing support to the sport in India.

Sudip Chakraborty, Secretary General of the ARFAI, refelcted on the progress of AFL in India, in the aftermarth of the grand final.

“It has taken a lot of hard work since last years’ national champs, travelling around India continuously and specially making three prior trips to Goa to set up the tournament on totally unfamiliar grounds,” Chakraborty said.

“But the best part is the scale of the tournament went up quite high compared to last year, along with the skill and passion for the game on display by the players.

“Now that we have a team of officials together thanks to the ASOP grant, we look forward to a much bigger tournament next year with other new tournaments filling in the year as well.”

Above: Maharashtra Tigers players celebrate victory