South African Association of Table Soccer - International Table ...

South African Association of Table Soccer
Section 21 Non-Profit Organization Registration Number 2008/027865/08
Postal Address :- 118 Calais Village, 1 Von Dessin Street, Montgomery Park, 2195
Sudesh Fakir (President) : +27 82 454 8349
email : info@saats.co.za
website : www.saats.co.za
PRESS RELEASE
South African Table Soccer Champion Tragically Dies In Car Accident
The South African Association of Table Soccer (SAATS) sadly announces the passing away of Irfaan Dien (22), who tragically
lost his life in a car accident in Lenasia, on Saturday 11 September 2010.
Irfaan Dien was the current South African Table Soccer Champion and was due to represent SA at the International Table
Soccer Federation’s (ITSF) World Cup and World Championship that is scheduled to take place in Nantes, France in January
2011.
In 2006, at the age of 18 years, he was the youngest player in the SA team that participated in the first ever Table Soccer World
Cup hosted by Germany. It was then that a Star was born.
In 2008, together with his close friend and partner, Rupesh Khusal, they were victorious in winning the South African Doubles
Championship. Together they represented SA at the ITSF Double World Championship in France and he was also part of the
World Cup squad.
In 2009, his dream was finally realised when he became the South African Single Champion for the very first time. And
together with his double partner they secured the 2009 Doubles Championship, as well. He was also ranked the Number 1
Singles Champion, as well as, the number one ranked Doubles Champion in 2009.
In January 2010, he represented SA at the ITSF Single and Double Championship in France, which was most definitely the
highlight of his blossoming career. He was also part of the SA World Cup Team in 2010.
South Africa has indeed lost “the best Table Soccer player in the country “and his shoes would definitely be hard to fill.
Sadly, also in the same fatal accident, Ridwaan Ebrahim (17), another table soccer player and a cousin of Irfaan Dien, also lost
his life.
The South African Association of Table Soccer (SAATS) and the entire “foosball” community, extend their heartfelt
condolences to both the grieving families of Irfaan Dien, as well as that of Ridwaan Ebrahim .
Table soccer has lost one of its greatest SA players, who could have one day conquered the world.
(ATTACHED PIC)
South African Association of Table Soccer
Sudesh Fakir(President), Riaz Cassoojee(Vice President), Secretary(Ramiez Dayal), Ardhele ul-Haq Meer (member), Nilesh
Ramkissoon(member), Poovee Naidoo(member), Pritha Fakir(member)
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South African Association of Table Soccer
Section 21 Non-Profit Organization Registration Number 2008/027865/08
Postal Address :- 118 Calais Village, 1 Von Dessin Street, Montgomery Park, 2195
Sudesh Fakir (President) : +27 82 454 8349
email : info@saats.co.za
website : www.saats.co.za
Irfaan Dien -ITSF WORLD CUP IN FRANCE, JANUARY 2010
South African Association of Table Soccer
Sudesh Fakir(President), Riaz Cassoojee(Vice President), Secretary(Ramiez Dayal), Ardhele ul-Haq Meer (member), Nilesh
Ramkissoon(member), Poovee Naidoo(member), Pritha Fakir(member)
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