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South Florida football match and BBQ

03-Feb-2007 2:00-10:00 PM, Boca Raton, FL


South Florida football match and BBQ

The friendly Soccer match organized and hosted by Florida Chautari was the first of its kind in the Nepali community living in the Sunshine state. The soccer match was held between Tampalese team of Tampa bay and FLC team of South Florida at Spanish River Community High School soccer field at Boca Raton, Florida. The FLC team were the winners with the final score of 8-2. FLC team was led by Captain Prajesh U. Neupane and Tampalese team was led by Captain Sudhir Gauchan. The Internationally known soccer players like Rajan Raymajhi (Nepal’s National Soccer player) and Bivor Shrestha (State player of Florida) were among the players.

The game had drawn the attention of most of the members in Nepali community residing in Tampa area and south east Florida. The Florida Nepal Association (FNA) felt the pressure as it was a matter of interest and pride because most of the players from both the teams are FNA member and FNA president Sundar Joshi had been supporting game personally by donating water since November 2006 and his support really meant a lot for FLC team. Mr. Sundar Joshi welcomed the new event like a major soccer tournament in South Florida and wished all the players the best of luck.

The “Abi Kattel Memorial Foundation” had one of its milestones because of the running trophy “Abi Kattel Memorial Trophy” was established on the same auspices day as the “Abi Kattel Memorial Foundation”. This trophy is very symbolic for both the “Abi Kattel Memorial Foundation” and FLC. The two new organizations created this event to establish a running trophy. This allows both organization to continue year after year and to remember why both groups were created and to spread the positive messages these two groups create on an ongoing basis. The trophy was awarded to the winning team at the Patch Reef Park, Boca Raton. Dr. Archana Kattel, Vice President of the “Abi Kattel Memorial Foundation” awarded the trophy and medals to the participating players at the prize distribution ceremony following the match. Dr. Bijaya Kattel, president of the foundation highlighted on the goals and objectives of the Foundation and suggested how this foundation could be helpful in promoting the sports like soccer among Nepalese players. The running trophy will be ongoing to any Nepali team in Florida that would like to challenge the trophy holders. Florida Chautari would like to organize a match at least twice a year.

Wrap up of the match:

The match started on a cool overcast afternoon on the 3rd of February 2007. The field conditions were ideal for a very good match. The game started at 3:15pm.

The first goal was scored by the Florida Chautari side by Deepak Gurung (3:21).

Seven minutes later Tampa answered back by Raj Raut (3:28) to equalize the match.

After several good attacks from both sides Florida Chaurati came through with a goal by Rajan Rayamajhi (3:35).Five minutes(3:40) later he came through again for FLC.

One of the highlights of the match happened on the 33rd minute of the match. A corner kick for Florida Chautari was magnificently placed by Rajan in the back of the net; this also gave him the hat trick for the match.

After some stoppage time half time approached, the score at the end of the first half Florida Chautari 4 Tampalese 1.

The second half we saw other players take charge of the game. The goal keeper for the Florida Chautari , Subash, started playing midfield and scored on his second attempt.

Tampalese had some good saves by their goalie and halted several attacks by Florida Chautari. The hustle was rewarded when Tampa scored by Atulya(4:21).

Florida Chautari had success again by Rabin(4:28), who had a nice power shot.

The last Goal of the match was the most energetic for Florida Chautari, when Ashish moved to the forward position and scored the final score for Florida Chautari. This made the final score Florida Chautari 8 and Tampalese 2. An own goal by Tampalese happened at the halfway point of the second half.

The respect and sportsmanship that took place that day should make all Nepali and soccer fans proud of what occurred. We are hoping that this type of play will continue and that friendships will last a lifetime.

Food and BBQ for the picnic after the match was mainly contributed by ‘Gals nite out team’ members (Priti Bhandary, Ameena Shrestha,Rojina Shrestha,Nana Satyal,Renu Ligal and Abhigya Neupane) and Dr. Archana Kattel. Sincere thanks goes to Dr Sharada Ram Bhandary, Dr Bogendra Khanal, Sundar Joshi, Dr.Bidya Subedi, Bimal Nepal, Leena Basnyet and Shailina Bajracharya for their contributions.

Thanks to the three referees Ajay Satyal, Sanjay Sharma and Sanjay Bajracharya.

A special thanks to Prakash Luitel, Niraj Shrestha and Sudhir Gauchan for keeping on top to arrange the match.

This would not have been possible without efforts and involvement of each of our team members, their families, and guests.

Some images from the event (click the thumbnail for larger image).