On Saturday the 30th of August 2009, IIMT proudly held it’s first ever 6 a side Intramural Football Tournament. The event featured team from the SHTM and SOME programs and included for the first time in the colleges’ history a team comprised of the Alumni. The atmosphere was electric with more students attending the event, than college on a given day.

Matches were fast and furious with phenomenal support for each team, each match comprised of 20 minutes of high intensity football partnered with the players’ ambition and their never say die attitude. Many heroes emerged as the day went by, with competitors putting on valiant efforts in their quest to say “Veni, Vidi, Vici!” Amongst those that were supported fanatically were Arjun, Jahangir, Sunil and Abdul to mention a few from the SOME stream, equally were Rohan, Girish and Abhisek from the SHTM stream; the Alumni also had their share with Nikhil and Arjun.

Though as the saying goes, only one could claim the Cup, this year it belonged to Alumni, who emerged into the tournament as underdogs, but left it as equals. The semifinals were intensely contested with the winning team having only a goal difference with the beaten one, but the beaten teams will tell you that only the paint and woodwork saved the teams that won. The final was a closely contested event in which by the end of regulation time no clear winner had been determined and the match had to go to penalties. Anyone who has watched a penalty shootout will tell you that it’s all about holding your nerve and 99% luck on the day. This day luck favored the Alumni, who held on, but only by the slightest margin.

The first ever tournament was won by them and they lifted the trophy with excitement, joy and a sense of accomplishment. Two individual awards were also decided on the day, the top goal scorer for the tournament was awarded to Mr. Arjun Singh of the SOME stream and the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament was awarded to IIMTs’ very own Chef Nikhil.

I don’t think anyone who participated on the day in any match can feel bad, as when teams are so evenly matched, the contest can be won by anyone and the real victors for the day is personal pride and a sense of companionship. I think more friends were made in a single day, than in 6 months of college, as everyone is busy with their work.

Overall, I can not think of anyone who did not have a fantastic time, making friends, talking or just enjoying nail biting matches. I think that now there is a new found excitement for what awaits next year, as teams will be practicing harder to make sure that this time they get their hands on the coveted trophy, will we have a new champion? Only time will tell.