To everything turn turn turn, there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven, goes on the age old classic made popular by the Byrds. The words taken from the Holy Bible - Book of Ecclesiastes holds true as we turn 2019 for an even more exciting, entertaining and electrifying 2020.
The highs though of anything new always lies in the ups and downs, the blood and sweat, the success and failure, of trying and not giving up. The year that has just passed was full of promise and learning for us at Rush in India.
Our players and coaches have been lighting the football sky with their star performance. Leading the pack is Ridge De’Mello, steadily confirming his place towards a professional career. After an awesome stint with the AIFF U16 scoring goals and tasting victory representing India in International tournaments and AIFF Indian Arrows, he is now in Portugal under India Rush SC scholarship. His initial days of training and trial has been on expected lines, evoking interest of the coaches to sign him up.
At the International level, our player Rutvik and Shaunak have been making their mark in the official Portuguese league scoring goals and winning the matches for the Club along with other India Rush SC players Suhayl, Tarun and Varshil. Who are now joined by promising India Rush Junior players Sahej, and Sonmin, who have been on the coaches radar.
The inseparable Sujal and Zeeyan have been on a trailblazing year. They started the year winning the Runners up title for India Rush SC at the MDFA YPL 2018/19 season, followed by an impressive performance winning the Bronze Medal for Maharashtra at the Khelo India Games. Finishing the year on high, the duo lead the Maharashtra team as Captain and Vice-Captain, winning the BC Roy U17 National Championship for Maharashtra after a long break of 13 years. But there was more to come as both Zeeyan and Sujal both made it to India AIFF U17 Camp.
A Triumphant Season 2018/19
Following up in their footstep is Jaffer Mansuri with his remarkable performance. He started the year winning the Runner up title for Team Mumbai in the Maharastra Inter-District Sub-Junior Boys Championship, along with another IRSC star player Sagar Sharma. The following months, Jaffer made his mark for India Rush SC at the MDFA U14 YPL winning the Runner up and representing Maharashtra in the AIFF Sub Junior Boys National Championship.
The India Rush SC girls are not too far, winning the MDFA 3rd place and MDFA Grassroots Festival Runners up title. The Academy star Riya D’souza has had an exceptional year winning the title for Mumbai at the WIFA Inter-District Sub-Junior Girls Championship and Maharashtra U16. Our senior girls Laura, Priya, Riya, Ishwari winning individual awards at MDFA League and setting the numbers for an all India Rush SC Star studded award Ceremony.
Behind the success of the players are our passionate coaches, Satyanathan, Nishad and George. Besides raising the bar and motivation of the Rush players, they have consistently provided their services for MDFA, WIFA and College assignments. Coach Nishad has had a phenomenal year for St. Andrews College, winning the Reliance Foundation School Football City Championship.
The foundation and the benchmark have certainly been set in place for 2020 to take off. We thank our families, friends, fans, players and parents, sponsors and partners for their love and support and as we move into the New Year we promise and even more exciting and entertaining year of Blue Rush!!