There was something different about the recently concluded La Liga Volga Autumn 2008 League.

For a start, about 20 senior players have graduated and left Volgograd, they will be missed. The Volgograd Times wish them all the best in their next phase of life (and please visit us whenever you could spare some time from your busy life as a houseman).

Nona Roguy team, which mainly comprises of former 6th course students has unfortunately disbanded. Tongkat Sakti was also made up of many former 6th course students, but it has managed to recruit new players to continue participating in the league. Thanks to the tenacity of its manager Latish, Tongkat Sakti emerged victorious as the champion of the 2008 Autumn League.

There were also many changes in the set up of other teams in the league. There is one new team participating in the league for the first time – Cincai. We are not sure how the team members come up with such name but rumors have it that the following scenario once took place:

Member No. 1: Hey, what should we name our football team?
Member No. 2: Hmm…. (Thinking)
Member No. 3: Aiya, cincai lar…
And hence the name Cincai is adopted (wonder who is Member No. 3?)

If you are observant enough, we could actually say that Volgograd Malaysian students are sports freak! For the last 2 years, there were 2 Volgo Football League seasons per academic year in addition to training sessions for the Annual Malaysian Games in Russia and the games itself. Don’t forget that we also have 6-day study week, where do we find the energy for all this?

We will be the host this time around for the Malaysian Games. The Volgograd Times secret informer has told us that most probably there would not be a Spring 2009 La Liga Volga due to the hectic schedule of the Malaysian Games. With that consideration in mind, we hope to pen down our thoughts about the 2008 Autumn League so that anyone who starts missing Volgo League next Spring could have the satisfaction of reading about the 2008 Autumn League and interesting events related to it.

Next in this series, I would highlight the matches which I think are most exciting and enjoyable during the Autumn 2008 La Liga Volga.

Have you been following the Autumn League? Have you noticed anything new or unusual about the League? What you like or dislike about it?