Defending Champions, A.G. Kerala repeated the history beating runners A.G. West Bengal 2-1, and emerged champions of the Indian Audit & Accounts Department(IA&AD) Inter Zonal Football Tournament, 2022 which was conducted under the aegis of Accountant General Recreation Club (AGRC) of the Office of The Accountant General (Audit) II, Maharashtra.
In the final Match, Somnath of A.G. West Bengal opened the account with a beautiful field goal in the 23rd minute of first half. Half time score read 1-0 in favour of A.G. West Bengal. In the second half, A.G. Kerala were on attack right from the word go and Najesh scored the equalizer when he kicked the football from the Dee straight to the goal keeper, who had the ball well covered to be collected, but somehow the football bounced over his head and went into the goal, and score was level, 1-1. Both teams displayed superb defense and made several attacks at the goal.
Fulltime score read 1-1. Extra time was given of 10 minute in each half. After the first half of extra time, the scoreline remained the same 1-1. And it was in 100th minute, a mistake of handing the ball, by A.G. West Bengal Player proved costly, and Midhun Wilvet converted the spot kick awarded. Final Score read 2-1, in favour of A.G. Kerala. Man of the Match was awarded to Somnath of A.G. West Bengal.
In the prize distribution function, Shri Praveer Kumar, A.G. (A&E)-II, Mah, Nagpur gave the prizes and trophy to the winning team, A.G. Kerala, while Prof. Vijay Stephen Barse, Mentor of Slum Soccer gave the runners trophy and prizes to A.G. West Bengal. Alim Sheikh of A.G. Maharashtra was announced the Best Goal Keeper, Nachiket Palak of A.G. Maharashtra, the Best Defender, Jackson Dhass of A.G. Tamilnadu, the Best Forward and Abinav Bag of A.G. West Bengal, the Best Midfielder. Naushad K. of A.G. Kerala was declared the Man of the Tournament. Shri R. Thiruppathi Venkatasamy, Accountant General (Audit)-II, Nagpur congratulated the winning and runners teams.
H.T. Fulpadia, Sr. DAG (Admn) & Welfare Officer, Ms. Pallavi Holkar, Sr. Dy. Accountant General (AMG-II), Mr. Aditya R. Bhojgadhiya, Sr. Dy. Accountant General, Branch office, Mumbai, Shri Dinesh Mate, Sr. Dy. Accountant General (Pension, Fund & Accounts), Shri. Akshay Khandare, Dy. Accountant General (Admn), Shri. Naresh Kumar Manne, Dy. Accountant General (AMG-IV), Shri Dhanraj Chavhan, Welfare Officer (A&E) and large number of officers and staff members were present on the occasion.
Apart from members of various committees like reception, ground, transport, accommodation, food, office bearers of AGRC, Rajendra Negi, Welfare Assistant worked tirelessly to make the tournament a grand success.
Ranjit Sharma and Ms. Astha Garge conducted the proceedings while Dintis Thomas read out the report of the tournament and matches played in the last three days.
Devendra Mishra, President, A.G.R.C proposed vote of thanks and thanked the Chief Guest, Guest of honour, Referees, Selectors from CAG office, office bearers, volunteers and media for the grand success of tournament.
Winning A.G. Kerala Team:
Nelto Sebastian (Captain), Sreeju S, Sherin Sam, Naushad K, Basith, Asif K, Fino Fawas, Akhil M.R., Merbin Jerald, Sajan A, Stephen Das, Skailine P.D., Najesh M., Shaheel M.P., Melvin Shaji, Manu Prasad, Ajeesh P. and Midhun Wilvet. Pahad P.S. was the manager of the team.