Bengaluru has been announced as the latest addition to the roster of host cities for the prestigious Subroto Cup International Football Tournament. Spanning from September 19 to October 23, the renowned football showdown will unfold across three major venues.
Previously, the action-packed matches of India's oldest inter-school football tourney were exclusively held in Delhi and Gurugram. However, in this upcoming edition, while the Under-17 junior boys and girls championships will continue to captivate audiences in the Delhi-NCR region, the Under-14 sub-junior boys will battle it out in Bengaluru. Specifically, matches for this category are scheduled at the ASC Centre, the Air Force School in Jalahalli, and the Air Force School in Yehalanka.
Back in the Delhi-NCR circuit, football enthusiasts can catch live action at notable grounds including the iconic Ambedkar Stadium, Tejas Football Ground, Subroto Football Ground in Delhi, and the GD Goenka School in Gurugram.
The tournament promises to be a grand affair with a whopping 109 teams geared up to compete. These teams, representing 27 states and Union Territories, will vie for the trophy across three categories. Adding to the excitement, teams from Bangladesh and Nepal are set to participate, bringing an international flair to the event. All in all, fans can look forward to witnessing over 180 thrilling matches.
"The 62nd Subroto Cup will be historic given that it will be played in Bengaluru for the first time. It has been our desire to spread the reach of this tournament to more corners of the country," said Air Marshal RK Anand, vice-chairman Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society.
Highlighting past glories, Pilgrim Higher Secondary School from Dimapur, Nagaland currently holds the mantle as the defending champions in the junior boys' segment. Meanwhile, in the junior girls' category, St Patrick's School from Gumla, Jharkhand reigns supreme. The sub-junior boys' title is currently held by Heirok Higher Secondary School, located in Imphal, Manipur.
In summation, the upcoming Subroto Cup International Football Tournament is shaping up to be an unforgettable spectacle. With Bengaluru joining the hosting brigade and teams from various corners of the country and beyond ready to showcase their prowess, football aficionados have a lot to look forward to this season.
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