YOUTH RECREATION CENTRE

In the year 1978 a young energetic and lanky person Lawrence (Lawry) Pinto brought together a group of youngsters on the Soor ground to form a team. This team comprised of youths of various cultures but with a love for football. They called their team as the “Rising Stars” and truly to this name have proved it by being the only football team, reaching nine consecutive finals, a record which they hold and hope a team crops up with the same enthusiasm. At that time he never thought the name given to his group “YOUTH RECREATION CENTER” will reach 32 years today under his leadership.

Youth Recreation Center – “Rising Stars” were the winners of the first league organized by the Kuwait Indian Football Federation and have bagged as the winners of the first “All Indian Football Tournament” organized by the United Malayalee organization. From the past 32 years these youngsters have thrived and worked very hard to earn the fame and hearts of the fans and public in Kuwait.

The most important moment for the Y.R.C family was when Lawry Pinto elected as the President of the Kuwait Indian Football Federation in the new Millennium. Indian Football journey was started in Kuwait during 1978 and Lawrence Pinto was founder and the main instrument of the ‘Kuwait India Football Federation’ (KIFF), which is under the Indian Embassy of Kuwait. In 1979, he made ‘Youth Recreation Centre’ and formed a team called the ‘Rising Stars’, which is the fourth oldest Indian Football team in Kuwait.

Youth Recreation Center – “Rising Stars” is on the threshold of celebrating its 32 years of existence. This was possible only by the support, courage and hard work of all the Y.R.C families.

As organizers Y.R.C has had great personalities as their Chief Guests who patronized the football on the Soor Grounds. To name a few of the great personalities are Mr. Faisal Al Dhakheel- the former Asian Football Star, Mr. Mohammed Al Sansousi- the former under secretary, Ministry of Information, Mr. Khalid Al Harban – the famous and well reputed radio and television commentator, the Indian Ambassadors. Many a times Interior Ministry Personnel’s have also graced the occasions.

Other than Football, YRC has also organized many cultural programs to entertain the audience in Kuwait. On the occasion of completion of its 25 years, it has arranged a grand celebration called ‘Konkani Ekvottachi Sanz’ on 27th November 2003 at Indian Arts Circle- Funaitees witnessed by leading Goan and Mangalorean artists such as Prince Jacob, Humbert, Rita Rose, C D’Silva and Wilfy Rebimbus. It was a historical show with Konkani speaking people in Kuwait, Goans and Mangaloreans joining together in such a grand manner to show their integration created thru the common bond of their mother tongue Konkani.