MSSA members play blame games over change in dates of U-16 inter-school football tournament
Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) football committee member Melwyn Oliver has accused MSSA general secretary Sebastian Fernandes of postponing the Ahmed Sailor boys U-16 knockout football tournament that was scheduled for a September 2 start in order to accommodate the Mumbai leg of the Airtel Rising Stars, an inter-school tournament that’s underway at the Veterinary College Hostel Ground in Parel.
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Oliver claimed the committee was not informed about the postponement of the prestigious tournament. “It is a shame that for money he (Sebastian) didn’t think it right to inform the footballu00a0committee about the postponement of the Ahmed Sailor tournament.
“We put in a lot of effort to schedule the tournament and informed schools accordingly. On August 31, Sebastian decided to postpone the tournament. Who is he to take such major decisions,” questioned Oliver.
Sebastian meanwhile, rubbished Oliver’s claims, saying: “I had informed the committee members and also Fr Jude (president of MSSA) about the Rising Stars tournament. I didn’t postpone the Ahmed Sailor, it’s the football secretary (Anslem Alphonso) who would be in a better position to answer that.”
Alphonso on his part hinted at some foul-play, claiming: “With great difficulty we had made the fixtures and informed the schools. At the last minute, I was told to cancel all the matches that were to start on September 2. I have to obey what I am told.”u00a0