VDFA’s emotional tribute to World Cup

Visakhapatnam: Thousands of miles away from Moscow, where the 21st edition of FIFA World Cup got underway on Thursday, Visakhapatnam District Football Association (VDFA) commemorated the occasion with a touchingly memorable programme at GVMC Stadium here.

In a befitting tribute to the lovers of the beautiful game, the Association organised a friendly match between two teams, both of which boast of legacies that stretch beyond one hundred years. 

On that count, it was a trip down memory lane for the old-timers, who joined the impressive crowd to catch the action between Sportsmen Club (established in 1902) and Polar Star Football Club, which founded nine years later).

In what can be seen a poetic justice that marked the occasion, the regulation time ended in a goal-less draw. However, in the sudden death to decide the outcome, Polar Star FC had the last laugh with a 7-6 clincher over Sports Men FC.

For Polar Star, goals were netted by Seetharamaraju, Pavan, Shiva, A Raja, Neelu and  Hari while Naveen, Ganesh, Kumar, Sai and Mallii reduced the margin.

President of AP Football Association and VDFA, Kosaraju Gopalakrishna expressed his delight at the large turnout for the match. 

Later, District Collector Pravin Kumar appreciated the APFA and VDFA for promoting the sport by organising such a match. 

In what comes as music to the administrators, coaches and players, he pointed out that they were in the process of identifying a 10-acre land for allocation to VDFA so that it could develop an ultra-modern football ground in the Port City.

ADCP (Special Branch) PV Ravi Kumar also spoke on the occasion.