Kuwait: The Karnataka branch of the Kuwait Kerala Muslim Association (KKMA), one of the largest social and community service organisations of the Indian diaspora in Kuwait, held its General Body Meeting on Friday at the Evergreen Auditorium in Abbasiya.

The meeting began with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Mohammed Afraz Anwar. Karnataka branch General Secretary Mohammed Amin Sheik delivered the welcome address, while the programme was formally inaugurated by KKMA Central Committee Organising Secretary and Karnataka Branch Mentor Eng. Muhammad Nawas Cadiri. He appreciated the dedication of the branch members and their continued contribution to KKMA’s humanitarian activities.

KKMA Central Committee President K. Basheer, addressing the gathering, highlighted the importance of the Karnataka Branch and praised its consistent and meaningful role within the organisation. Branch President Yusuf Rasheed, in his presidential address, outlined the branch’s achievements in various charitable and social initiatives, including the Family Benefit Scheme, Educational Scholarship Programme, Kidney Dialysis Centres, Medical Assistance Programme, Home for the Homeless, Housing Improvement Programme, support services for expatriate patients in Kuwait, and the repatriation of deceased individuals. He expressed gratitude to the team for their support during his four-year tenure.

Senior leader and Chief Financial Officer Sayed Rafeek presented the annual activity and financial reports for the past two years, which were unanimously approved by the General Body. Central Committee Working President O. P. Sharafu, in his keynote address, spoke on the values, responsibilities and significance of social work.

Several members were felicitated for their outstanding contributions, including Sheik Yusuf Abbas, Mohammad Hussain Daddi, Mohammad Ansar Hussain, Imad Irshad Nazeer, Imthiyaz Noor Choughuley, Abdul Hakeem Ismail and Abdul Latheef Kodibail. Najmuddin Takey, Mabiya Adam, Ansar Dayambu and Shoukath Husainabba Shirva received awards for their performance in the membership campaign. Branch Mentor Mohammad Nawas Cadiri and outgoing President Yusuf Rasheed were also honoured for their guidance, leadership and service.

Following the dissolution of the existing committee, a new committee for 2025–26 was formed under the supervision of Returning Officer Naufal A. T., Vice President (IT), KKMA Central Committee. Mohammad Yusuf Muniyam was unanimously elected as the new President of the KKMA Karnataka Branch. Office bearers from all six zones of the branch were also introduced.

In his acceptance speech, Mohammad Yusuf Muniyam thanked the leadership and members for the trust placed in him and sought continued cooperation to strengthen KKMA’s mission. KKMA Vice Chairman Ibrahim Kunnil congratulated the new leadership and assured full support from the Central Committee. Several central and zonal leaders extended their best wishes during the felicitation session.

The programme was compered by Abdul Jabbar Gurupur and concluded with a vote of thanks by Mabiya Adam, followed by fellowship and dinner.

New office bearers (2026–2027):

Mohammad Yusuf Muniyam – President
Abdul Rahiman Kana – Working President
Mohammed Amin Sheik – General Secretary
Sharief Ahmed Mulky – Treasurer
Mohammad Faisal Beary – Administration Secretary

Vice Presidents include Mohammed Irshad Mulky, Imthiyaz Abdul Kareem Soorinje, Mohammed Riyaz Kawa, Mohammed Shamshuddin Moosa, Mohammed Noufal, Shakeel Ahmed, Shoukath Husainabba Shirva, Ramlan Bhatrathota, Firoz Abdul Samad, and Mabiya Adam Kadaba.

Mohammed Yusuf Muniyam President

Abdul Rahiman Kana Working President

Mohammed Amin Shaikh General Secretary

Ahmed Shereef Mulki Treasurer

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Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.

The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.

On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."

His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.

In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”

Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”

Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.

After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.

“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.

“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”

Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.

Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay. 

Chaotic end to a poor season

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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.

It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.

Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.

Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.