This year’s Monte Memorial Cup Tournament marked the 20th anniversary of this special annual event.  It took place on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September 2008. The divine presence of Guruvarya Param Pujya Saheb and Pujya Shantibhai made the occasion even more significant.

All players and haribhaktos were invited to the Saturday evening entertainment, which included a BBQ and various stalls run by the youths and young children. These included a Cake stall, Mehendi stall, Football Scoring and Sponge Throwing. A huge collage of past tournament photographs had been prepared for all to reminisce over the 20 years of the tournament, its players and of course Pujya Monte. A grand fireworks display marked a colourful end to the outdoor events.
The indoor evening entertainment promptly followed and was conducted by Pujya Dipak, Pujya Shaina and Pujya Abhi, with an introduction from Pujya Jayan.  Our own version of the Generation Game / One Minute Show had been organised and the participants were selected from the audience to take part in various tasks. Examples included, sari folding, performing the Ãrti and ringing the bell simultaneously and inserting as many straws as possible in your hair in one minute.  The activities were both amusing and fun to watch and participate in.
After Guruvarya Param Pujya Saheb performed pujan of the tournament match ball, Pujya Anand hosted the team selection, with 10 players selected for each of the six teams.

Guruvarya Param Pujya Saheb and Pujya Shantibhai’s ãshirwãd crowned the evening. They spoke of Pujya Monte, Pujya Sanjay Kachela and Pujya Shamil Radia; their humble and giving virtues, their love for football and their sportsman’s spirit which should be kept alive during the tournament.  The evening event concluded with a cake cutting by Guruvarya Param Pujya Saheb, Pujya Shantibhai and the MMC Committee (Pujya Jayan, Pujya Nilesh and Pujya Biraj).
The Sunday morning began with mahãpujã conducted by Pujya Himat Swami in the divine presence of Pujya Shantibhai.  This was followed by dhun and dhyãn at the Monte Memorial Monument.  Flower petals were showered on the monument by, all at the end of the prayers.
The preliminary matches were played throughout the day and were enjoyed by the players and spectators alike in glorious sunshine. Alongside the football matches, the yuvati and young girls played rounders matches.  The eagerly awaited Shamil Radia Children’s Exhibition Match was played prior to the final.  It was a great pleasure to watch the keen participants thoroughly enjoying themselves in healthy competition.

The final between the two top teams, Premãnand and Gopãlãnand captained by Pujya Himmit Chadha and Pujya Amit Kotecha respectively, was an exciting and very closely contested game.  After a goalless full time result, extra time was played, afterwhich a thrilling penalty shoot out followed.  Premãnand were the eventual winners– the final score being 2-1.
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