Indian Navy fail to turn up for Kenkre clash

by Kaushal Shukla December 5, 2015

Indian Navy failed to turn up for an Elite Division game of the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) against Kenkre FC at Cooperage on Saturday afternoon.

Navy’s failure to appear is likely to hand Kenkre FC the three points after the 2nd Division I-League side reported for the game on time and were ready for the game.

But there were no signs of the opponent even after the scheduled time of kick-off passed and MDFA were forced to call-off the game.

MDFA will now decide in a meeting, the fate of this game, but according to a MDFA official its likely that Kenkre FC will be awarded the win. “We will have to wait for an official meeting to decide the fate of this game. I can’t say for sure, but it is likely that Kenkre FC will be given a walkover win,” the official said.

He also stated that Indian Navy were given all the necessary details about the game well in advance and were also given a reminder about the match. “We gave the Navy team the, match schedules well in advance and also gave them a reminder yesterday, but there has been no contact with the Navy team since and we have to call the game off now,” said a MDFA official when enquired about the game half an hour past the scheduled kick off time.

Kenkre FC Assistant Coach Oscar Alva revealed his side were ready for the game and followed the the schedule given to them by MDFA. “We were ready for the game and came on time. I feel we should be given a walkover win as we followed all the instructions given to us by the MDFA,” Oscar Alva said as his Kenkre FC side utilized the time to do a light training session.

It was indeed a shame that Navy failed to turn up for such a highly anticipated clash between two of the stronger teams in the league. Their absence is likely to cost them the three points necessary for them to keep pace with the likes of Air India, ONGC and Mumbai FC at the top of the Elite Division Table.