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TEAM LIME |
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| SALMA (left) and GEMMA |
IT is almost two weeks since we rocked the world with our 20-hour futsal marathon.
Even now, what happened that day is still sinking in...
What we achieved on Saturday, August 25, was so special...
It will never be forgotten by any of the 33 players, or the many others who helped make the event such a success.
Here are my post-marathon thoughts....
First of all, the humble and so meaningful words of Team Lime's Zoya Saleh just have to be shared.
Zoya wrote:
"Hey Salma! Have to say for you and Gemma to have pulled off such a brilliant event which was successful in more than one way, there is no doubt that your both amazing individuals.
Would just like to thank you both for such a great time I had! Hope you are very proud of what you both have achieved in terms of the atmosphere and generally the whole event - it is truly a lifetime achievement! So thank you very much for giving us the opportunity to be part of it."
What a lovely, uplifting tribute from Zoya.
Next, I think it is important we list the teams which gave their all for 20 hours non-stop in the Birmingham Futsal Arena.
TEAM LIME/TEAM JESS
Salma Bi
Aisha Bi
Kelly Clarke
Chantel Hunter
Camilla Olsen
Farzana Hussain
Nicky Preston
Charlotte Caffrey
Zoya Saleh
Dilara Begum
Sophie Molyneux
Lesley Thurston
Manisha Taylor
Sara Ali
Nazma Shaheen
Joanne Sheerin
Emma Dagley
TEAM TANGO/TEAM JULES
Gemma Smith
Gemma Goode
Naela Ahmad
Vicky Roe
Melissa Hall
Sophie Wardle
Stacey Coleman
Rachel Bird
Jenny Minton
Amara Ali
Melissa Pace
Sam Taylor
Saddi Shan
Maria Gilderoy
Tabassum Khanum
Simi Panesar
HEADING the event were Birmingham's two biggest sporting heroes - GEMMA SMITH and SALMA BI.
Gemma, Birmingham Futsal Arena technical manager and former under-17 England goalkeeper, founder of www.sportingpathways.org, joined in partnership with Salma Bi, multi award-winning cricketer, the first Asian woman to play for Worcestershire, qualified cricket coach and umpire and founder of http://mad-cricket.blogspot.com/ Sporting Pathways & Believe In Making A Difference - a
community interest company which hosts events to get girls involved in sports, raises money for disability charities and educates participants & the community on disability conditions.
Together they hosted their 3rd event of the year ‘Women’s Futsal Marathon 20 Hours Record 2012’ raising money for Cerebral Palsy Midlands www.cpmids.org.uk
Theme: TEAM JESS 'Salma' vs. TEAM JULES 'Gemma' representing colours Team LIME vs. Team TANGO went head to head on the REVENGE TOUR.
Special thanks to Cherie Dabbs and Keshia Denny who volunteered in promoting and assisting with registering the girls for the event.
All the following links are connected with the 20-hour marathon...
A tradition now set by both sporting heroes is a 10-day Countdown BRAWL4ALL where both captains battle it out over Facebook with fight talk before they meet, aiming to create more hype for the event and to get others involved.
Examples-
SALMA: An effort so poor, put away your claw, still looking a little raw. Your ahead of the game, how could you be so sure? Team LIME has the move that’s got dropping your Jaw.
GEMMA: Your rhymes are making me smile, thinking your team will struggle to walk a mile, you sure you got enough players on your file. To be honest the colour you wear is quite vile, victory will be mine in a short while.
SALMA: My Team is full of overseas, biting on you like fleas. You best prepare some good teas, I heard not all your players have working knees. Start the car now, you got your keys?
GEMMA: It’s that the best you can do, have you forgotten the success of Team blue. Be careful your team don’t fall ill and catch a Flue, Team LIME haven’t got a Clue, we have the best team oh yeah you already knew, this time I think you’ve bitten off more than you can chew.
THE EVENT
Saturday 25th August witnessed 33 young talented females, kick-off 4am playing the 20 hours up until midnight!
The day began with an opening ceremony of both captains leading out the teams.
Salma then awarded the 10-hour Record Trophy to Gemma for winning 167-100 five months ago at the First Ever Women’s 10 Hour Futsal Marathon.
As 4am hit the clock was ticking away to a New World Record, never set before anywhere in the world. www.futsaluk.net/
After months of planning and promoting, both organisers knew they needed to bring a good volume of girls through nationally.
After hosting two big events this year already - 10 hour Futsal Marathon and Indoor Cricket World Cup - the girls only could go that one better!
However things can occur which are outside anyone’s control, A few drop outs on the day resulted in Team TANGO being short of a few players to what was originally set for, but this didn’t stop any player doing what they came to achieve.
The aim was to sign up 40 PLAYERS, but we were determined 33 would do the job!
During the course of the dauy, various drinks were available for all players & spectators.
The atmosphere was overwhelming, very female friendly & family orientated; contributions were handed in by the community.
As the day progressed the level of play became more competitive, it was still anyone’s game when 10 hours passed.
TANGO were dominating until the 14th hour, then LIME stepped it up and got ahead by six goals. Every 20th Goal was prized and was presented by opposite captains.
LIME'S Star Player Emma Dagley stood out by Far.
TANGO'S specialist goalkeeper Gemma Goode stood between the posts for a record-breaking 13 hours!
MUNCH
Once snacks were put to good use, hot food was provided for lunch followed by pizza in the evening catered by Al-faisals www.alfaisal.co.uk .
As for desserts we had the sweet centre provided by Magic Balloons Services serving Chocolate Fountain, Candy Floss & Popcorn.
Memoirs MUA and Photography- Nazish Choudhry and Martinka Cunderlikova -captured some great action shots from players, spectators to balloons.
Action clips and picture gallery copies are available for all players.
The audience filled in close to four hours away of completing a new record. Special referee Cherie Dabbs injured and on crutches volunteered to affiliate.
Special thanks to Saty Bharaj & family who provided excellent catering & display services.
DETERMINED
Even when things got tough the girls carried on pushing- Down & Out Vicky Roe 'Roadrunner' & Stacey Coleman was amazing for Team TANGO.
Young Star Aisha Bi & Shark Buddy Nazma Shaheen was superb.
100th Goal Scorer: Team Lime Aisha Bi.
100th Goal Scorer: Team Tango Vicky Roe.
In the 14th Hour Team Lime Got Ahead busting it up with a Final Finish
FINAL SCORE..........................................................................................
Team Jess 163 Team Jules 114
The national event introduced special guests from London - Manisha Tailor & Lesley Thurston & North Wales - Naela Ahmad.
This was Mad Productions & Sporting Pathways 3rd Event this Year! As promised was Bigger & Better! A charity fundraiser which raised over £2000!
Money raised will contribute to the Cerebral Palsy Disability Charity Sports Equip & Sports Room named after Sporting Pathways, with a team canvas dedicated to the centre.
A 20-hour record banner will be put up at Birmingham Futsal Arena with picture display. Hoodies will be on sale with copies of images & action play DVD.
SPECIAL THANKS
Gemma Smith (Side-kick), Davy Dolphin: Coast Collective (PA/Journalist), Nav Signs (Designers), Hannah (Trophies/Medals), Cherie Dabbs (T-shirts/Referee), Saty Bharaj (Catering/Balloons), Nazish Choudhry & Martinker Cunderlikova (Photography/Filming), Arshia Riaz (Bbc Wm Radio), Andres Senior (Birmingham Futsal Arena).
Finally...A BIG THANK YOU to all 33 girls who hold the 20 -hour record! Well Done! Wouldn’t have been possible without you!
‘You’ve not only set a PATH for others but instead you are MAKING a landmark for the world to remember’
KIND REGARDS
SALMA
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