“Great shot!” , “What a pass!”, “Incredible save!”, “Don’t give up …. Stay on him …!”, “GOOOOOAL!”, these were just some of things heard throughout the Futsal Fiesta 2013 coupled with numerous ooohs and aaahs!

On 23 Rabi al-Awwal 1434 (3 February 2013), Fustal Fiesta 2013 lived up, and in many aspects exceeded, all the pre-tournament hype and build-up. The action and drama was absorbing right from first kick-off through to the breathtaking finale.

Janab Aamil Saheb, Al-Haddul-Anjabul-Asad Ali Asgar Bhai Saheb Zakiuddin graced the event and took a keen interest in the matches as well as individual players. The participants’ enthusiasm towards his presence was evident when everyone playfully jockeyed for position behind him for a group photo-op.

Before the tournament began in earnest, more than 15 kids took to the field for the All-Star Skills Challenge and a kids-only fun match. The kids clearly enjoyed themselves as they had big smiles on their faces and that was even before the fantastic prizes were given out!

All 36 players, who made up the 6 teams, were raring to go. Captains huddled with their teams to talk strategy and to psych each other up for the big matches ahead.The 6 teams were grouped into 2 mini leagues and would play against teams within their mini league in round-robin matches. The top 2 teams from each mini league would qualify for the semi-finals. 

The first match kicked off to rapturous applause. A total of 6 matches were played in this phase. There were a number of close matches where the result was determined by a moment of futsal magic or a moment of folly. After the dust settled, 4 teams (Team Najmi, Team Husani, Team Taheri and Team Burhani) qualified for the Semifinals. 

The Semifinals upped the ante in terms excitement and quality of futsal played. The crowd was transfixed with the action on the field and vocally urged the players to give it their all. Although all the teams played gallantly, the cream always rises to the top. Team Najmi and Team Taheri were now in the finals of Fustal Fiesta 2013. 

The climax of the tournament was worth waiting for. The 2 teams were equally matched, trading attack for attack and one display of brilliance for another. The crowd was on its feet, not wanting to miss a moment of this sensational match unfolding before them. Despite some heroic efforts from both teams, they were tied 2-2 at the final whistle. To add to the drama, Mohammad bhai Zumkhawala (Team Najmi) and Ibrahim bhai Saeed (Team Taheri) were also tied for the tournament top scorer with 7 goals each. 

The only way to separate these two championship caliber teams was the dreaded penalty shoot-out. The tension was at an all-time high, so much so that you could cut the atmosphere in the arena with a knife. There was a hushed silence only to be punctuated by the shrill of joy or the groan of disappointment.

In the end, Team Taheri held their nerve to be crowned Futsal Fiesta 2013 CHAMPIONS! 

Both Mohammad bhai and Ibrahim bhai were honored as the joint top scorers. Burhani Football Club also honoured Shabbir Bhai Bhavnagarwala for his commendable and examplary effort to be recongnized by the club as Player Of the Year 2012. Shabbir bhai emerged as a worthy victor as he showed great leadership, skill and drive to be crowned 2012's best performer!  

After the awards ceremony, players and spectators alike could be overheard discussing their favorite moments of the tournaments and how they look forward to the next installment of Futsal Fiesta! Subsequently, the kids once again took to centre stage for the last installment of the kids session before wrapping the whole event at 1pm.  

Burhani Football Club would like to thank all the supporters, players, kids and spectators that helped make Fustal Fiesta 2013 a huge success, and also congratulate all prize winners.

Prize Winners for Futsal Fiesta 2013:

Champions: Team Taheri
1) Ibrahim Saeed (captain)
2) Murtaza Paper
3) Idris Talib
4) Shabbir Checatwala
5) Kaizar Patrawala
6) Abdul Husain Poonawala

1st Runner-up: Team Najmi
1) Muhammad Zumkhawala (captain)
2) Husain Moiz
3) Taher MH Topiwala
4) Murtaza Amir
5) Abbas Kuvawalla
6) Salman Mohamedally

2nd Runner-up. Team
1) Hozefa khumusi (captain)
2) Mufaddal Abid
3) Najmuddin Bhoy
4) Hozefa Topiwala
5) Shabbir Khambathy
6) Taha Basrai

Joint Top Goalscorer:
Muhammad Zumkhawala & Ibrahim Saeed

Player of the Year 2012:

Shabbir Bhavnagarwala

May Allah Ta'ala grant our Aqa Maula (TUS) and His Mansoos, Syedi Mufaddal Bhaisaheb Saifuddin (TUS) a long and and healthy life till qayamat. Ameen