It is equally delightful to watch or play football and if it is in the pouring rain It’s even more incredible.
While the world cup waves are there all over the world, the Tourism Professionals of Kerala Tourism Industry met in the grounds of Maharajas college stadium with the 13th edition of Shoot the Rain- The Monsoon Football Tournament conducted by Tourism Professionals Club on 7th and 8th July 2018. In the final match Malabar Escapes Kochi won the Dominic Joseph Memorial Ever Rolling Trophy by defeating Team TPC
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Prof: K.V. Thomas, Member of Parliament and former Kerala Tourism minister was inaugurated the 13th edition of Fog Monsoon Shoot the Rain, in the presence of Mr. Hybe Eden MLA, Mr. Baby Mathew Somatheeram, President of Kerala Travel Mart Society & Kerala Athletic Association and other distinguished personalities from the travel trade. Indian football sensation Mr. Baichung Bhutia and Mr. T. A. Jaffer, Coach of Kerala state Santhosh trophy football team were present on the occasion and introduced to the players.
“Shoot the Rain is an annual football tournament exclusively held for hotels and tour operators across Kerala and within in the last 12 twelve years, this popular event has been a part of the Monsoon tourism promotion in the state. The players mostly consist of staff working in various hotels under different sections, including Food and Beverages (F&B) and Kitchen,” says Mr. Vinesh Vidya, President of TPC
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Mr. George Scaria, Former President of TPC and Coordinator of 2018 edition of the tournament said, ‘“This year the response has been overwhelming and the overall arrangement including venue and team lineup is at par with any professional tournament in the state”.
Mr. Thomas Varghese, General Convener, STR 2018 said, this year more than 24 teams representing major hotels, tour operators, the House Boat Owners’ Association, Thekkady Destination Promotion Council and others from across Kerala took part in the event and our main aim is to promote Kerala in off season period through various activities and entertainment.
Mr. Ravi Varma, Chairman of Media committee of TPC said, ‘Shoot the rain’ has been evolved on the theme of fun, rain and soccer to entertain tourists otherwise largely confined to their rooms in the monsoon”.
Organizing Committee representatives could not conceal their excitement about the grand success of the event, which according to them becomes even more appealing owing to the rains. The Executive committee of the Tourism Professionals Club under the leadership of Mr. Vineesh Vidya (President), Mr. Paul M.S (Secretary) and Mr.Thomas Vargese (General Convener) had worked hard to make this event a grand success. The organising team expressed their gratitude for the support extended by the media and industry colleagues. Mr.Thomas Varghese, General convener for STR 13 also said that the Technical guidance for the soccer festival will be provided by soccer legends Mr. Rufus D’Souza and Mr. T.A. Jaffer.
Mr.Vinesh Vidya, The President of the club, said that each year we find that new teams are keen on participating, but unfortunately we are not able to register all the applicants owing to the limited time we have, for conducting the event.
As part of the tournament, TPC has organized a B2B meet and provided Table spaces for various Hotels and Resorts to showcase their products and services at the venue. Many senior Industry partners and celebrities were present during the inaugural and valedictory functions. The public visitors and trade visitors had enjoyed the soccer event and aware about new hotels and resorts coming up in various part of the state.
The winner bagged the “The Dominic Joseph Memorial Ever rolling Trophy”, sponsored by the CGH Earth Group, along with a cash prize of Rs 35,000 and for the runners up a Trophy and a cash prize of Rs 25,000 and third prize will be Rs.15000/-. Last year’s Tournament was won by Brunton Boatyard, Fort Cochin.
The participating teams include Grand Hyatt Bolgaty, Brunton Boatyard, Roses Inn Fort Kochi, Marari Beach resort, Eight Bastion, Flora Airport hotel, Coconut lagoon, Malabar escapes, Gokulam Park, Casino Hotels, Travancore Court,Xandari resorts, CAFS (Anjali hotels), Home stay Owners association, Fragrant Nature, Abad Hotels, RavizHotels, Lulu Marriott, KHOF (Kerala House Boat Owners Federation), Kumarakom Lake Resort, Crown Plaza, Le Maritime Kochi, TPC Monsoon Football team and TPC Thunder Football team.
