Manappuram-Vidya All India Inter -Collegiate Football Tournament 2014

Er. K.R. Brahmadathan Memorial Manappuram-Vidya All India Inter -Collegiate Football Tournament 2014 was organized as a tribute to (Late) Er. K.R. Brahmadathan, the founder Executive Director of Vidya International Charitable Trust, a well-known sports person and sports organizer. The title sponsor Manappuram Finance Limited, by organizing this tournament, has upheld their dedication and social commitment to the younger generation by their keen interest in the conduct of the tournament.

Inauguration
The first edition of Er. K.R.Brahmadathan Memorial Manappuram-Vidya All India Inter – Collegiate Football Tournament 2014 took place at Vidya Academy soccer ground from 27 th February to 7 th March, 2014. Sri.V.P.Nandakumar, Managing Director & CEO,Manappuram Finance Ltd. inaugurated the tournament. Sri.C.V.Papachan, Deputy Commandant of Police and former Indian International footballer, was the chief guest. Er. G. Mohanachandran, Executive Director, VICT, presided over the function and Dr.V. NKrishnachandran, Vice Principal, VAST welcomed the gathering, Sri.K.P.Sunny, Senior VicePresident, Kerala Football Association delivered special address. Smt. Sefiya Ibrahim,President Choondal Grama Panchayath and Sri. K.K Ashokan, President, PTA, VAST, felicitated the function. Sri.Jipson Johnson, General Captain, Student Senate, delivered vote of thanks in the inaugural session.

Curtain Raiser Match
The inaugural ceremony was followed by an exhibition match between the football gaints of Kerala, the State Bank of Travancore, Tvm and Kerala Police, Tvm. The presence of former Indian International IM.Vijayan and other popular Kerala footballers like Ashif Saheer, Abdhul Nawshad et.al. made the inaugural curtain raiser match a memorable one. The State Bank of Travancore, Tvm defeated Kerala Police,Tvm by 2-0 margin.

The Participating teams
Sixteen elite football teams across the nation which include Maharastra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puduchery and Kerala battled to win the covetous ‘Manappuram-Vidya ‘Trophy and prize money.

Tournament Analysis

In all, 15 matches was played and 46 goals were scored over the nine days ‘sporting feast’, which by now became firmly established as one of the premier inter-collegiate soccer tournaments in our nation. The knock-out stages themselves provided all the typical drama of the ‘beautiful game’ with several games decided by last minute goals or dreaded penalty shoot-out.
The Sathyabama University, Chennai claimed the top honour and bagged the Er. K.R.Brahmadathan Memorial ‘Manappuram-Vidya’ trophy and prize money worth one lakh rupees. The challenges and fighting spirit of the runner-up, Mar Athanasius College, Kothamagalam, was ever memorable to all football fans. They were consolated with ‘Manappuram-Vidya’ trophy and a prize money worth seventy five thousand rupees.

Mr.Beautin (jersey no:08) of Sathyabama University, made significant contribution to his team’s victory in all matches in the tournament and converted 4 goals including 11 th minute opener in the final. He was honoured as ‘the best player of the tournament’ with a prize money worth rupees twenty five thousand.

Former Indian international footballer and coach Sri.T K Chathunny greeted the players prior to the start of the final. The prize distribution and closing ceremony was presided over by Er. G Mohanachadran, Executive Director, VICT. Sri. B N Raveendra Babu, Executive Director, Manappuram Finance Ltd. delivered special address and Dr. Sudha Balagopalan, Principal, VAST wecomed the gathering. Sri K V Ramesh, Convenor,
Organising Committee, delivered vote of thanks.