THE Western India Football Association (WIFA) honoured Nagpur District Football Association (NDFA) President and WIFA Vice-President Haresh Vora with the WIFA Life Time Award while Yash Shukla was rewarded with the Chhatrapati Shivaji Samman Award at a ceremony organised by WIFA in Mumbai. The WIFA Life Time Award, organised for the first time, was bagged by Vora who could not attend the ceremony being indisposed. NDFA Secretary Iqbal Kashmiri took the award on his at the hands of Praful Patel, President of WIFA. Nomination forms were sent to all 35 districts before Vora was selected from Nagpur district for this work. Incidentally, his name was proposed by Kashmiri. Sharing his journey in football, Vora recalled that when he was 18, he used to go to watch football matches at Kasturchand Park. There he met Parshan Singh who asked him to become a Life Member of Vidarbha Football Association (VFA). He became a Life Member in the year 1972. Paul Rohitas, NZ Khatib and late PV Naidu were the three persons who played big role in his progress, Vora said. Vora became Joint Secretary of VFA in 1978 when late Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh was the President. NDFA was formed in 1979.

 

Vora served as NDFA Vice-President from 1982. Later he became secretary and remained so for about 12 years. In 2014, he became the NDFA President and has been occupying the post since then. Vora became WIFA Treasurer in 1984 for 2 years. Later he was Vice-President for almost 8 years and was made Secretary for 4+4 years. Vora used to play football at school level. During his college days, he played football and hockey. He was also honoured with Best Administration and Disciplinarian Award by Nitin Gadkari during Khasdar Krida Mahotsav. He also organised All India Tournaments and the Rovers Cup. He has been a strong advocate for player’s welfare.

 

 

 

Yash gets Best Player Award Yash Shukla, who represented Maharashtra in the National Games last year and twice in the Santosh Trophy, was honoured with the Chhatrapati Shivaji Samman Award.

 

He has also played for the NCC India team in the Subroto Cup Football Tournament. He played Junior National twice and also took part in Khelo India. He has recently been selected for the CAG trials. Presently working in AGRC Gwalior, Shukla received the Best Player award several times in the NDFA League. He has played football for Young Muslim FC and Rahul Club. Shukla gives the credit of his success to Vora, Kashmiri, Paresh Shivalkar, coaches as well as all well-wisher.