Before Dhonkaleyfaanu Cup - Where it all started!

On 21 August 2009, ADK Group had a major social event. Perhaps one that is long over due. Two teams from the ADK Group of Companies were all ready for challenge with high spirits of competitiveness. White and Blue jerseys filled the futsal pitch in Maafannu Stadium.

It was a “friendly” football match between the Tower Team and the Hospital Team. The Tower Team consisted of staff of ADK Trade and Shipping, ADK Travels and ADK Marine. The Hospital Team consisted of Hospital staff, ADK Company and Food Corner. There was exception though! One person had to play for both teams? Yes you got this person right and that was only fair!

It was seen that a number of preparations were made for the match. Posh jerseys and large sums of money generated as sponsors. Well significantly large for a few hours! The match began just after 8:00 am Friday morning and surprisingly people who have never seen daylight on Friday’s were on the pitch running half asleep. How long was each half? In football standards, it would be a new standard! Only the referee knew!

There is no record of the number of yellow cards shown. The referee also did not have count of it! May be the referee didn’t gather much of what was happening. As you can see in the picture, the referee never stopped blowing the whistle even after the game!

The match was highly competitive and the two teams fought all the way to the end, many of the players wishing when would it end!

The Score! What was the score? Well it was a bit of a controversy too! There was no scoreboard and no one kept the score. The match ended with a deserved win to the Hospital Team, which of course the opponents don’t agree to. According to all unofficial sources the score was 4 – 3. While the opponents say that it was a draw! Well the worst-case scenario is that it was a draw 4 – 4. It is better that the score is left a controversy till the next match where everyone will have a score to settle.

This article was first published on TeamTalk issue:17 on Semptember 2009.