Football, a sport celebrated globally for its captivating nature and the intense emotions it evokes, was at the heart of a special event hosted by Dublin United FC. This “beautiful game”, as it is often called, transcends all levels, connecting people from street football to professional leagues through a shared passion.

At the community level, football provides a unique platform for people to connect with their neighbours and like-minded individuals. These gatherings, often starting informally with a few people kicking a ball around, grow organically, fostering camaraderie and mutual respect. In such environments, social and economic barriers fade away, replaced by a shared love for the game, friendly competition, and laughter.

Dublin United FC (DUFC), a grassroots club celebrating its 10th anniversary, embodies this community spirit. Founded by individuals who relocated to Ireland from India, DUFC has evolved into a diverse club with over 120 players representing 10 Indian states, building a strong community ecosystem around it. To mark its anniversary, DUFC organised football tournaments aligned with its core ethos: ‘Fun, Fitness, Football’.

The inaugural tournament, named Maitanam: Bringing Together Communities, was held on April 12th in Dublin, Ireland. This first tournament focused on the ‘Fun’ aspect and aimed to unite various communities. The event featured a diverse range of participants, including traditional Indian football powerhouses, a community-based Irish team (Real Social Dads Stillorgan), and a team representing Africa (Agalliao FC), alongside DUFC Academy. In total, eight teams competed, representing four Indian states: West Bengal (Sujan Boys FC), Maharashtra (Maharashtra Mandal Ireland and DUFC Maharashtra), Goa (Amigos FC), and Kerala (DUFC Kerala).

The name ‘Maitanam’, meaning ‘playing ground’ in reference to India, was inspired by a similar grassroots program adopted by FIFA. This name signifies a level playing field for everyone involved. The tournament garnered significant interest, with 90 players participating and around 250 supporters, well-wishers, and volunteers in attendance, showcasing the power of football in bringing communities together.

The event received notable support from the Embassy of India, Dublin, and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council. Esteemed guests of honor included Mr. Murugaraj Damodaran (Dy. Ambassador, Embassy of India), Jim O’Leary (An Cathaoirleach, DLR County Council), and Paul Martyn (Football Association of Ireland, National Coach Developer).

The success of the tournament was also underpinned by the generous support of various brands, ranging from local cafes and restaurants to established national and international brands, community associations, and tech start-ups. This diverse support highlighted the strong community backing for the initiative. Sponsors included Lar Cafe, Monsoon Restaurant, Pure (Idli Dosa Batter), RedDot Food, Irish Power, MyTaxMate, Greater Cochin Club, Indians in Ireland, Avonmore Protein Milk.

The club has been receiving constant support from Eram Holdings, Zoko (Y Combinator Start-up), EdHoc Consultancy, and CarHoc.

Dublin United FC had associated with Breast Cancer Ireland to create awareness and an exhibition match was played by the organising team and new talents.

The tournament format offered all eight teams an equal opportunity to compete for either the Plate Cup or the Elite Cup. The group stage matches were competitive, setting the stage for intense semi-finals and finals.

In the Plate Cup semi-finals, Agalliao FC put up a strong fight against Real Social Dads Stillorgan, but ultimately, the Irish team emerged victorious. The other semi-final saw a tense battle between the two Maharashtra teams, ending in a 2-2 draw. Maharashtra Mandal Ireland edged out DUFC Maharashtra in a penalty shootout to secure their place in the final. The Plate Cup final between Real Social Dads Stillorgan and Maharashtra Mandal Ireland was a hard-fought contest. After a goalless first half, Real Social Dads took the lead early in the second half, only for Maharashtra Mandal Ireland to quickly equalize. The game proceeded to a penalty shootout, where, after an initial five rounds and sudden death, Real Social Dads Stillorgan clinched victory, lifting the Plate Cup Winners Trophy.

The Elite Cup semi-finals were equally captivating. Amigos FC played an intense match against DUFC Kerala, with Amigos FC securing a narrow victory to advance to the final. The second semi-final saw DUFC Academy face Sujan Boys FC, where the Academy team had to perform at their best to overcome the experienced Sujan Boys and secure their spot in the final.

The Elite Cup final between Amigos FC and Dublin United FC Academy was a thrilling encounter characterised by intensity, skill, tactics, and non-stop action. Amigos FC scored first, intensifying the competition. With just five minutes remaining, Dublin United FC Academy equalized with a well-executed attack. Despite further chances for Amigos FC, Dublin United FC Academy scored the winning goal just before the final whistle, becoming the Champions of the Elite Cup of Maitanam Tournament (Fun – Bringing Together Communities Edition, Season 1), with Amigos FC taking home the Runners Up Trophy. The quality of the final was such that spectators wished the game would never end.

Referees ensured a smooth running of the matches and did an important role in successful completion of the tournament.

On field medical support team ensured there is immediate attention provided to injured players.

The awards ceremony, hosted by Nandana James, celebrated the participation of every team.

The runners-up and winners of both the Plate Cup and the Elite Cup were awarded medals and trophies. The DLR Stepaside facility provided excellent support for the smooth conduct of the tournament. Special thanks to Terence from DLR pitch facilities. Photos, videos, and feedback indicated that the tournament’s essence was well-received by all attendees. The efforts put in by the organisers ensured the tournament was successful.

The active participation from across age group (from 2 years old to 70 years old) and from all cultures and regions is a great community gathering of football lovers, friends and families.

Looking ahead, Dublin United FC is already planning the next Maitanam tournament, which will be an exclusive event for the Above 30 age group, focusing on the club’s next core value: “Fitness”.

The first edition of the Maitanam tournament successfully showcased the power of community football, bringing diverse groups together under the banner of fun and friendly competition. It was a testament to the unifying spirit of the “biggest game in the world – football” and a significant milestone in Dublin United FC’s mission to foster community engagement through the beautiful game.

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