Alhamdulillah, a fantastic outing for Kokni Luton at the recent badminton tournament hosted in Birmingham, with strong performances across the board and some well-earned recognition.
Tournament Results
Hisham Parkar / Yaseen Parkar – Finalists 🥈 Runner-up trophy after a closely contested final.
Mushtaq Dalvi / Shuaib Dalvi – Semi-finalists A strong showing and just a step away from the final.
Faaris Hasan / Sajid Hassan
Ishrat Dalvi / Kaysh Kazi
Junaid Dalvi / Saif Dalvi
Each pair competed with great commitment and represented Kokni Luton with pride and sportsmanship.
Special Mention 🏆
Congratulations to Faaris Hasan, who received the Upcoming Star Trophy — a well-deserved award and a promising sign for the future, insha’Allah.
A Shout-Out to Our Notoriously Noisy Kokni
We’re told that Hisham and Yaseen Parkar have dedicated their runner-up finish to Daud Parkar — our ever-vocal Arsenal supporter, who knows more than most about the art of finishing second. A fitting tribute, and one we’re sure didn’t go unnoticed!
Well done to everyone who took part, and thank you to the Birmingham organisers for hosting an excellent tournament. We look forward to many more such events.
KCL made a long-overdue return to the London Kokni Sports Day — and what a
comeback it was. With two teams entered, there was no shortage of drama, passion, and proud moments for the community.
Team 2: Nihaad Kapdi, Waseem Parkar, Zainudeen Parkar, Badrudin Parkar, Rafid
Mukadam, Marco Ibrahim, Zakariya Modak, Shuaib Dalvi
Tournament Journey
Team 1 gave it their all but narrowly missed out on the semi-finals. Despite
strong performances and determination, the side lacked that finishing edge in their final game, which would have secured
progression.
Team 2, however, went one step further. After a group-stage defeat to Team
Vibes, they fought back brilliantly in the semi-final to knock the same team out. The match went all the way to a penalty
shootout, where KCL had to show real bottle under pressure — and they delivered, holding their nerve to book a place in the
final.
In the final, they faced the formidable KazPacs, regular winners of the tournament and a side renowned for their pedigree in
Kokni football. Despite an impressive fight and plenty of spirit, Team 2 fell just short against the seasoned champions. Still,
reaching the final at the first attempt, and with a team pulled together at the last minute thanks to a huge push from our
Chair, Nihaad, was an outstanding achievement. Team 2 proudly brought home
the runners-up medals.
Adding to the positives, Ajmal Parkar not only finished as the joint top
goalscorer of the tournament, but also scored a hat-trick — no small feat given the challenging state of the pitch. A standout
moment that deserves recognition.
Races & Athletics Success
The day wasn’t just about football — KCL kids and women also shone in the athletics events, bringing home medals and showing the
community’s all-round sporting talent.
Zidaan Dada claimed silver in the egg and spoon race and
went one better by winning the adult and child relay race.
Aadam Parkar won bronze in the sprint for his age group, 6-8
Sumaya Parkar won bronze in the adult and child relay
In the women’s races, Ra’eesa Parkar brought home a bronze medal in the adult sprint, while Farihah Parkar powered to a silver medal.
The women also impressed in the 4x100m relay, with the team of Ra’eesa Parkar, Aneesa Parkar, Farihah Parkar and Sabah Parkar securing a silver medal.
A brilliant effort across the board, showing that KCL talent runs deep through both football and athletics.
Community Spirit
This tournament marked not just a return to competitive football, but also a reminder of the value of sport in bringing our
community together. The players on the pitch gave their all, but the support from the stands was just as important.
A special thanks goes to those who travelled to watch and cheer on the teams. Your backing lifted the players and made the day
even more special.
A huge shout out to the London Kokni Community for organising the event and to all the volunteers of all ages who made it
possible. You were fantastic hosts, and it was wonderful to see both familiar faces and new ones throughout the day.
Looking Ahead
This marks the beginning of something we hope will become a tradition — a regular KCL presence at the London Kokni Sports Day every year. Football, athletics, community spirit, and togetherness were all on display, and the foundations are set for even
more success in the future.
A great day out for all ages — and a proud return for KCL sport.
From left to right: Zainudeen, Shuaib, Marco, Nihaad, Zakariya, Waseem, Badrudin, KoL volunteer, Rafid
From left to right.
Back row:
Shuaib, Waseem, Marco, Badrudin, Nihad, Zainudeen, Zakariya, Shaed, Ajmal, Wajahat, Nadeem.
Front row:
Asim, Abdur-Rehman (Udi), Rafid, Owais, Faheem
What an incredible time we had at the Community Eid Trampolining Party! The event was a massive hit, with kids of all ages bouncing, flipping, and having an absolute blast on the trampolines.
It was wonderful seeing so many families come together to celebrate Eid in such a fun and active way.
Once the jumping came to an end, everyone gathered for a delicious spread of snacks, and refreshing drinks. Families sat together, chatting and enjoying the festive atmosphere.
Thanks to everyone who came out to make this Eid celebration so special! We can’t wait to do it all again next year Insha’Allah
In a match that tested both spirit and stamina, the Dads turned up and delivered a statement win. The Lads came into the game full of confidence — cocky, even — with bold talk of player swaps before a ball had even been kicked. But the Dads let their football do the talking. Taufeeq opened the scoring with classic poacher’s instinct and ended the day with a brace. Shaed — known more for breaking up attacks than building them — decided to flex his attacking muscles with a rare hat trick of assists. Wasim proved he still has it, coolly finishing despite limited game time. Marco unleashed a thunderous free-kick that struck the keeper but still found the net. And Ajmal — a vintage performance from a player who always delivers.
Dads: Ajmal (2), Taufeeq (2), Wasim (1), Marco (1), Raf (1) Lads: Hamzah (1), Faheem – (1 or so he claims)
The veteran side cruised to a commanding 7–2 victory. The Lads, meanwhile, struggled to find rhythm, lost their heads, and turned on each other over team selection. Experience, teamwork, and a touch of class prevailed.
Despite their youthful energy, the Lads couldn’t cope with the Dads’ structured play and calm under pressure. Their attacks fizzled, passes went astray, and frustration quickly set in. Meanwhile, the Dads kept their composure, moved the ball with intent, and punished every mistake. From defence to attack, it was a complete performance — a clear reminder that experience still counts.
That said, there were a couple of bright sparks for the Lads. Hamzah — a guest stepping in and usually the target of friendly fire — silenced the critics with a surprise opening goal. A solid warm-up with Mujib J seemed to unlock a rare level of confidence, and for a moment, the Lads looked like they were in the game. After that, the Dads mostly shut up shop, although Faheem sparked a late counter from a corner that led to a second, helped on by a deflection from Zenny, but all the pressure came from Faheem’s effort. If only he had shown up on time. A consolation, perhaps, scored at a time when the Dads were far too busy laughing at their own acrobatics to defend properly.
As the final whistle blew, there was no doubt who owned the day. The Lads, once full of bravado, were left bickering over lineups and looking for answers. But hey — it’s a Father’s Day special. A little humility was the gift they didn’t expect.
The Luton Koknis made a spirited return to the inter-city cricket tournament, fielding a makeshift team with minimal preparation. Despite the early setbacks, losing the first two games, the team showed remarkable resilience and heart in the final match, securing a hard-fought win. This victory, against the odds, marks a hopeful step forward, and could well be the spark the team needs for a stronger rebuild and better results in future tournaments.
Here’s to the start of a new chapter for the Luton Koknis!
Manager: Ishrat Dalvi
Our team consisted of:
Zahir Rajiwate
Farooq Maniyar
Nihaad Kapdi
Said Modak
Hamza Tambe
Shuaib Dalvi
Yaseen Parkar
Hisham Parkar
Sameer Parkar
Yaqub Modak
Asim Tambe
Esaa Mahmood
Mushtaq Dalvi
Waz Parkar
Words from our chair (Nihaad Kapdi)
I just wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank each and every one of you for your dedication in the lead-up to the tournament and the incredible effort you all put in yesterday. It honestly felt like a beautiful throwback to the good old days. Being part of this team, with its blend of youthful energy and seasoned experience, reminded me that we still have the ability to compete and represent KCL at such events.
There were definitely lessons learned, especially for some of the younger players stepping into this arena for the first time. And for some of us oldies, that magnesium oil really does help!
But more than anything, what stayed with me was the joy, the laughter, the bonds, the unity. Yes, we competed fiercely, but we did it with smiles, brotherhood, and genuine love for the game and each other.
InshaAllah, next year we return even better, stronger, sharper, and winners!! 🏆
JazakAllah
If you have any interest in playing cricket join the KCL WhatsApp Community and look for the KCL Cricket group.
Let me begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to the outgoing Chairperson, Faiz Parkar, and his dedicated team. Their tireless efforts, steadfast commitment, and unwavering service over the past three years have been instrumental in carrying Kokni Community Luton forward. We are deeply thankful for their service and pledge to build upon the strong foundations they have laid.
It is with great humility and pride that I step into the role of Chairperson of KCL, I am filled with a deep sense of purpose and excitement. The newly formed committee is a vibrant blend of experience, wisdom, and youthful energy, and I truly believe we are ready to embrace the future with both strength and sincerity.
KCL has always held a special place in my heart. From the laughter-filled evenings at Challney and the lessons of Maktab, to the unforgettable sports tournaments, beach trips, and midweek cricket matches, I could go on and on here. These weren’t just events, they were the heartbeat of our community, moments that shaped our identity and sense of belonging.
One of the initial goals and one shared by the rest of the committee is to reignite that spirit of togetherness. To ensure that the next generation experiences the same love and pride for our community that many of us grew up with. And just as importantly, to show our elders, those still with us and those we’ve lost, that the legacy they built remains strong, respected, and cherished.
There is much to be done. Change and growth take time, and this journey will not be without its challenges. But I ask you, sincerely, for your patience, your trust, and your belief in this committee. Every decision we make will be rooted in one purpose: the betterment of KCL.
Let me end with this simple truth: no committee, no matter how dedicated, can build a community alone. We need you. Your presence, your voice, your support, and your participation. When we come together, when we show up for each other, the heart of our community will thrive, not just now, but for generations to come.
This committee is here to serve you. We will be visible, approachable, and always committed to keeping KCL at the heart of everything we do.
JazakAllah Khair,
Nihaad Kapdi Chairperson – Kokni Community Luton (KCL)
