New Delhi: Annual schools football tournament, Subroto Cup, is back after a gap due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Subroto Mukherjee Sports Education Society (SMSES), the organisers of the Subroto Cup International Football Tournament, unveiled the kit, official ball and the tournament trophy at a curtain-raiser event. Former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia was the guest of honour at the event.
In the 61st edition of the tournament, 92 schools from 25 States and Union Territories of India have qualified across the three categories and a team from Bangladesh will also be participating. The Subroto Cup was started in 1960 by the first India Air Force Chief, Air Marshal Subroto Mukerjee. The tournament will be held in three categories beginning with the Sub Junior Boys (Under 14) from September 6-15, followed by the Junior Girls (Under 17) from September 19-28, and the Junior Boys (Under 17) from October 3-13.
At the event, Bhutia told that he started his journey by playing in the Subroto Cup. He added that it would be a great learning experience for young footballers in India and he is hoping that many future Indian players will come out from this tournament.
The matches will be played in in four different venues, namely, BR Ambedkar Stadium (Delhi Gate), Tejas Football Ground (Race Course), Subroto Park and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. There is a total prize fund of Rs 23 lakh for the winners and runner-ups in all three categories. There will be cash prizes for the teams reaching the quarterfinals and semi-finals as well. Apart from that, other cash prizes include Fair Play, Best Player, Best Goalkeeper, Best Coach and Best School awards. A total of 75 players, 25 from each category, will be selected for a scholarship.
