By P. Chandra Sagaran
SJK(T) Chettiars Ipoh emerged champions after they defeated SJK (T) Sin Wah, Taiping 2-0 in the Perak Indian Football Association (PIFA)Tamil schools under-12 boys final at Ipoh Padang on Aug 3.
The youngsters lifted the YB Sivanesan Trophy, RM800 and medals in the nine-a-side competition held for the 17th time.
The losing finalist went home with RM500 and medals.
In the semi-final, the winner edged SJK (T) Batak Rabbit, Teluk Intan 3-2 while Sin Wah netted two goals against SJK (T) Ladang Walbrook, Sitiawan.
In the girls category, SJK (T) Kerajaan Buntong lifted the Beevi Jewellers Trophy after they defeated SJK (T) Ayer Tawar in sudden death. They also took home RM300 and medals.
In the semi- final, the winner edged SJK (T) Barathi, Hutan Melintang 2-1, while Ayer Tawar defeated SJK (T) Beruas by the same margin.
It was a proud moment for Chettiars boys side as their player K.Shahrwin Nair was adjudged as the player of the tournament while Kerajaan player L. Rathi Devi was picked as the best player in the girls category.
A total of 61 teams from the state participated in the competition, ten more then last year.
Present were Ipoh Barat MP M.Kulasegaran and PIFA President Datuk Amaluddin Mohamed Ismail.
Earlier State Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Committee chairman A.Sivanesan officiated the competition.
He later presented a mock cheque of RM50,000 from the State Government to PIFA.
Amaluddin said the association had picked up 35 players for centralised training. This is for preparation for the Malaysian Indian Football Association (MIFA) competition.
The national body has allocated two slots for boys and one for the girls’ category.
Meanwhile, Kulasegaran said there are plans to hold a similar tournament for all races from primary schools.