In a significant step towards promoting a club culture in football at Somaiya institutions, the inaugural selection process for the Somaiya FC Corporate Football Team was held in July 2023, at the esteemed Eklavya Sports Complex. The formation of Somaiya FC is part of an initiative to foster a sense of identity and passion among its players and supporters, while also providing a platform for talented individuals to represent the academy in corporate football competitions.
The selection process witnessed participation from 19 aspiring footballers employed across various Somaiya institutions. The selection committee—comprised of Harshil Somaiya, Vinod Chhatre, and Shamshad Khan—evaluated the players based on a variety of technical, tactical, and physical parameters during a two-hour session. Players were made to participate in a five-sided match as part of the selection procedure, offering them ample opportunity to showcase their skills and potential. The following players were ultimately selected to represent Somaiya FC for the 2023-24 season: Gaurav Thakur, Rohit Ravi Kadam, Sunil Kute, Shamshad Khan, Ajay Rathod, Shiva Rajak, Aazaz Khan, Akshat Shetty, Sameer Somane, Harshil Somaiya, Aditya Singh, Vinod Chhatre, Sanjay Chougale, Jackson Kadarikota, and Madhav Rao. Harshil N Somaiya has been appointed as the coach for this season’s team.
After formation, the team went on to represent Somaiya FC in its first-ever corporate tournament, the Mirchi Cup, which was held on August 13, 2023, at Rcity Mall, Ghatkopar. In their inaugural match against HUDL B, the team displayed a strong defense but ended up losing 0-3. In their second match against GCTech Athletico, they put up a robust fight but narrowly lost 0-1. However, the third match proved to be a remarkable turnaround as they secured a thumping 13-0 victory against eMSME. The collective effort in the third match was evident as Priyank scored five goals, followed by Adi with three, Harshil and Vinod with two each, and Gaurav with one goal.
While the team faced challenges in the initial matches, their performance in the third game demonstrated their determination and skill level. Coach Harshil N Somaiya stated, “We will continue to work hard, build on our strengths, and learn from our experiences to excel in future tournaments.”
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