Academy boys U15 win city football league
The Hyderabad Football Association held its second School Football League (SFL) from December 2018 to February 2019. This year saw the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad come home with a collection of awards, most notably the boys U-15 Champions Trophy.
SFL 2018-19 saw more than 50 teams from 25 schools participating. The first round of the tournament was league model with teams facing each other in a quest to finish in the top three of their divisions, and the second round was a knockout system. Teams played for the Champions Trophy (1st place), Premier Cup (2nd place) and the Players Cup (3rd place).
In a display of dominance, the Academy boys U-15 won their final game 4-0 against Future Kids to lift the Champions Trophy. On their march to victory, forward Ayan Maredia of grade 10 won the Golden Boot for most goals scored in the tournament (11 goals in 9 games) and Abil Momin, grade 10, won player of the tournament for his exceptional work in mid-field. “There is always pressure when you’re playing striker and I was glad to show I deserve to be a part of this team,” said Ayan.
The Academy girls U-15 team came runner up in their bid for the Champions Trophy, losing by a margin of 0-1 against Karwan Public School in the finals. Star forward Imsha Khoja bagged the player of the tournament award. Not to be left behind, girls U-18 team came home Players’ Cup winners.
Boys U-18 team were unable to break into the finals, but that didn’t stop goalkeeper Sahil Nizar Ali from shining, earning him the Golden Gloves award for best goalkeeper.
In their first ever outing, the girls U-13 team won the Premier Cup in their division with Yeffa Farishta being nominated Player of the Team. Boys U-13 team finished runners up in the same event.
"I am very proud of all our students who participated," said Ravi Kumar, head of sports at the Academy. "They have shown great motivation in the build up to and during this tournament, and practiced very hard, especially the girls' teams. They played against challenging oppositions and outshined their competitors. They [boys U15] showed calmness and maturity, which is great for their age. I've seen this team grow over the past three years, and I know that in coming years we will build a footballing heritage at the Academy."
The league had the unique mandate of bringing together students from across the various boards in the Indian education system. Dr. K T Mahhe, chairman of Telangana Football Association, presided over the awards ceremony. The league was organised in partnership with Kerala Blasters Football Club, a premiere division football team in India.
Written by Ajay Sundaram
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