NEW DELHI:
The Subroto Cup International Football Tournament, India’s oldest national inter-school football competition, is set to make history in its 62nd edition. Bengaluru has been added to the list of host cities for the event.
Previously held in New Delhi and Gurugram, the tournament is scheduled to take place from September 19 through to October 23 across three venues.
The decision to host matches in Bengaluru signifies the tournament’s commitment to reaching more corners of the country and giving aspiring footballers from diverse regions the opportunity to shine on a national stage.
The 62nd Subroto Cup will feature three distinct age categories, each with its own set of teams and venues:
Under-17 Junior Boys and Girls Tournaments (Delhi-NCR): Matches for the Under-17 category will take place in the Delhi-NCR region at venues such as the Ambedkar Stadium, Tejas Football Ground (Delhi), Subroto Football Ground (Delhi), and the GD Goenka School (Gurugram). This category is expected to witness intense competition among some of the most promising young talents in Indian football.
Under-14 Sub-Junior Boys Competition (Bengaluru): Bengaluru will play host to the Sub-Junior Boys category, with matches scheduled at the ASC Centre, the Air Force School in Jalahalli, and the Air Force School in Yehalanka.
The 62nd Subroto Cup will see participation from 109 teams hailing from 27 states and Union Territories in India. Adding an international flavor to the event, teams from Bangladesh and Nepal will also take part. Over 180 matches are scheduled to be played across the three categories.
In the junior boys’ category, Pilgrim Higher Secondary School from Dimapur, Nagaland, are the defending champions. Meanwhile, St. Patrick’s School from Gumla, Jharkhand, will be aiming to maintain their reign in the junior girls’ category. In the sub-junior boys’ category, Heirok Higher Secondary School from Imphal, Manipur, are the reigning champions.
For the record, the Subroto Cup International Football Tournament was first held in 1960.
