The 2015 PCL comes to an end, Farooq High School Emerge Champions

Farooq High School celebrating their victory in PCL 2015

The final day of the 2015 edition of the Parikrma Champions League was a fitting end to 3 days of competition between the 16 invited schools. The day began with the two semi-finals where Vidya Niketan school bested the hosts Parikrma Humanity Foundation to face off in the final with Farooq High School, Kerala who beat Indus International in the semifinals.

Before the finals could be played, however, was the other placement matches. DPS East took 5th place ahead of Inventure Academy in 6th place. In a nail biter of a match that went to a penalty shootout, Indus International captured 3rd place beating out Parikrma Humanity Foundation.

Following the 3rd and 4th place deciding match, it was time for the CEO match; the match where CEOs and senior management of various companies played the best of the tournament “The Parikrma All Stars”. The CEOs managed to beat the odds and scored to tie the All Stars 1 all.

After the felicitation of the CEOs, it was time for the much-awaited final. With members of all the other teams in the audience, each throwing their support behind one of the two teams in the final, Farooq in green and VNS in black and red. At first, the two teams seems evenly matched, the ball never moving much from center field.

However, as the game wore on, Farooq began to dominate the game. Farooq’s midfielders and forwards kept possession a majority of the game. Even when VNS managed to gain possession and make it close to the Farooq goal, they were always intercepted.

Near the end of the first half, Farooq broke free of VNS defenders and managed to score to deafening cheers from the stands. The second half began with Farooq keeping possession to score twice in quick succession to guarantee their victory despite multiple heroic attempts by the VNS team to even the score.

Farooq High School emerged as the PCL 2015 Champions, a feat they celebrated with cartwheels and back flips. The prize distribution began with performances by the children of all the Parikrma schools.

Then Robin Uthappa and Pradipta Banerjee (Vice President of HR, CGI), the chief guests addressed the crowd. Following this, the individual awards were given out. The top scorers of the tournament were Gaurav J from VNS, Appu P from Parikrma and Fawad K from Farooq.

The best goalkeeper award went to Roshan Neel Singh of Indus International. The best coach award went to Stanley who coaches the Vidya Niketan School. Parikrma won the Fair play award.

After the individual awards were given out, the top three teams were given their awards, with Indus and Vidya Niketan taking their awards before Farooq went up to collect their champion’s trophy or the ‘Equality Cup’ amidst confetti cannons and much fanfare.

With the handing out of the champion’s trophy and consequent celebration, this edition of the Parikrma Champions League Football Tournament was declared over.