The Saudi-Indian Football Forum, which was formed about 18 years ago, has made remarkable progress over the years and its new managers are committed to organizing its annual soccer carnivals following FIFA standards.

This year’s tournament, which began in December, has been attracting thousands of football fans, especially Indian expats, to the Education Ministry Stadium in Jeddah’s Faisaliyah district.

“This year 26 teams are participating in the SIFF tournament and all of them have lined up excellent players including those recruited from India and GCC countries,” said Hifsu Rahman, president of SIFF, who has been using his leadership qualities to popularize the organization. Officials from the Youth Welfare Presidency (YWP) now supervise SIFF tournaments, he said, while commending the Education Department for allowing them to use its floodlit stadium.

SIFF has developed into a full-fledged organization with its young leadership adopting modern technological facilities and FIFA guidelines in registering teams and players and organizing matches. YWP officials have commended its marvelous management of the tournament, drawing huge crowds from different parts of Jeddah. The tournament has become an annual soccer festival for Indian expats living and working in Jeddah.

“We have been focusing on popularizing the tournament,” said Rahman, who was instrumental in bringing together different political organizations and businesses in support of the tournament. “We have introduced the system of NOC to prevent players from jumping from one team to another and ensure the smooth functioning of the tournament. We permit some professional players to come from India and play for their teams on the same day,” he explained.

SIFF is considered the largest league soccer tournament organized by expats not only in the Kingdom but in the whole Middle East, the president said. Expats in Riyadh and Dammam are now planning to organize similar tournaments, inspired by SIFF’s success.

According to Rahman, SIFF matches have gained remarkable progress, thanks to the participation of a large number of skilled players from inside and outside Saudi Arabia. “This year the standard is much better than previous years,” he added.

He also referred to SIFF’s efforts to develop the skills of young players including school students. “We are allowing young players aged between 15 and 17 to play on our ground. Some of these youngsters have got into their school teams as a result of their good performances in our tourney. Our certificates have helped students get admission in Indian colleges and universities,” he added. He disclosed plans to make use of the money earned from the tournament to build a house for a poor player back in Kerala.