Kayalpatnam.com>Briefly tell us how and when did the United Sports Club and Moulana Abul Kalam
Azad tournament come about?
Mr.L.Gani and Mr.Pallak Lebbe>The origin of United Sports Club goes back to 1940s and 1950s. A group of youngsters who were making use of any vacant space in Kayalpatnam for sporting activities started using an open disused pond - 'Pakeeran Kulam' - as their playing ground. They gave themselves the name 'United Sports Club'. This Club was formally registered under the Societies Registration Act in 1955.
Right from the beginning, tournaments were conducted at the USC regularly at local and district levels. For sometime, football events for 'DCW Shield' were also conducted. In 1974, the football tournament was upgraded to All India Level and new trophies were instituted: the MOULANA ABULKALAM AZAD CUP for the winners and the LKS JEWELLERS, TIRUCHY CUP for the Runners-up.
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Kayalpatnam.com>In 41 or so years for which the tournamnet had been held, what would you describe as
the highlights - in terms of top teams participation, challenges you had to face etc?
Mr.L.Gani and Mr.Pallak Lebbe>Many prominent teams have won this cup. This includes Army Service Centre, Hyderabad, Sikh Regimental Centre, Meerut, Punjab Special Police, Hoshiarpur, Madras Engineering Group, Bangalore, Titanium Football Club, Thiruvananthapuram, Keltron Football Club, Cannannore and Integrated Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai.
The main challenges we face includes organising the teams participation and the tight budget within which we have to work. The travel plans have to be co-ordinated. There would be some cancellation of participants at the last moment. We have to be prepared for all that. Sometimes an election may force to alter our schedule. Some other time - it could be a local event.
Kayalpatnam.com>Conducting a tournament like this in a small town like Kayalpatnam would require lot
of efforts [getting teams here, managing the logistics etc]. How many days or weeks does it take to put this
thing all together every year?
Mr.L.Gani and Mr.Pallak Lebbe>We normally begin the work in January every year. There is a process we have to go through. Through the District office, we have to approach the Tamil Nadu Football Association. Then we have to apply to All India Football Federation. The main work would begin in April.
For selection of teams, there are few options for us. We enquire about the quality of teams (based on performance etc) with people in various organisations. Based on that, we choose the teams.
Kayalpatnam.com>With plenty of entertainment sources these days on TV (including Sports channels) and
popularity of Cricket, does this tournament still attract same kind of fervour and attention as it used to
in the past?
Mr.L.Gani and Mr.Pallak Lebbe>Football has its own craze and following. We do not think Cricket has - in any way - dented that.
Kayalpatnam.com>Sporting events worldwide have many dimensions to it. One is the quality of
entertainment they provide. There is also the inflow of revenue through sponsorships, advertisements,
local tourism benefits etc. Another aspect is the benefit to the community in terms of inspiring the
youth to excellence in sports etc. According to you, what benefits does Kayalpatnam get in
conducting this tournament every year?
Mr.L.Gani and Mr.Pallak Lebbe>It is purely an entertainment - a clean evening-out for many. Since it is conducted in May, the Summer holidays, a lot of people living outside Kayalpatnam look forward to this event.
Kayalpatnam.com>How much does it cost to conduct a tournament like this? How does USC
raise those funds for the tournament?
Mr.L.Gani and Mr.Pallak Lebbe>It costs about Rs. 4 lakhs to stage this event. It is going up every year! The expenditure is primarily the money spent on the teams - their travelling allowance, daily allowance, Way side expenses etc. Since it is an All-India tournament, the Railways charge only 25% of the fare. Accommodation is provided at the USC and also at the Elkay School. The main source of revenue is the sale of season tickets - especially in places like Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Sri Lanka. In fact, in the early days, we started sale of season tickets in Colombo - where a lot of Kayalpatnam natives had settled for business. They would pay for the season tickets there and it would be delivered to their homes in Kayalpatnam. Donations from individuals and companies are also received for the tournament.
Kayalpatnam.com>How many spectators can USC seat during a match? What percentage does gate
collections contribute to the overall source of fund for the event?
Mr.L.Gani and Mr.Pallak Lebbe> Gallery could seat about 600 people, chairs about 80 people. About 2000 people can stand or squat and watch. Majority of the collection is through season tickets only (about 80-90%). No season tickets are issued for the standing/squatting section.
Kayalpatnam.com>Apart from the Annual Soccer Tournament, what are the other sporting activities at
USC?
Mr.L.Gani and Mr.Pallak Lebbe>We also play host to L.K. Lebbai Thamby Memorial Football Tournament for schools, conducted by L.K.Group of Schools. We have conducted Badminton and Volleyball Tournaments in the past. We are also active in education, health and medical care, social care, calamity assitances etc.
Kayalpatnam.com>What are the top teams taking part this year? When does the tournament start and end
this year? What is the prize money?
Mr.L.Gani and Mr.Pallak Lebbe>We have this year teams like Goa State Juniors, Milin Bitti from Kolkata, RCF Jalandhar participating. This year - the tournament starts on May 10th and ends on May 28th. The prize money is Rs.25,000 for the winning team and Rs.20,000 for the Runners-up.
Kayalpatnam.com>What are the future plans for USC - in terms of infrastructure and activities?
Mr.L.Gani and Mr.Pallak Lebbe>We have space constraint as for as expanding the Infrastructure. There are major roads on three sides. We have also the mosque at one end and a burial ground. There is also the question of funds. We have to make best use of the existing facility.
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