Subroto Cup back after 2-year hiatus, to kick off Sep 6

Subroto Cup logo

NEW DELHI: The Subroto Cup International Football Tournament is set to return after a hiatus of two years and will be played in New Delhi from September 6 to October 13.

Subroto Cup – organised by Subroto Mukherjee Sports Education Society (SMSES) and the Indian Air Force – is a prestigious international inter-school football tournament, held annually in New Delhi.

A prize pool of over Rs 2.3 million has been set aside across the three categories - Sub-Junior Boys (Under-14), Junior Girls (Under-17), Junior Boys (Under-17) - for the winners and the runners-up.

Other cash prizes include those for the semifinalists, quarterfinalists, Fair Play, Best Player, Best Goalkeeper, Best Coach and Best School.

Additionally, a selection committee consisting of eminent footballers will select 25 outstanding players in each category for awarding of scholarships.

All the players selected will be awarded a scholarship (one-time grant) of Rs. 25000 in the Junior Boys and Junior Girls categories and Rs. 15000 for the Sub-Junior Boys category.

Named after the Indian Air Force Air Marshal Subroto Mukerjee, the tournament – which began in 1960 – was temporarily suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The tournament has been the stepping stone for several former Indian football legends such as Shyam Thapa and Bhaichung Bhutia.

International legends such as Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos (both in 2016) and Pele (2015), have graced the tournament as Guest of Honour in its earlier editions.

“With immense happiness, we share the news of the resumption of the Subroto Cup, a beacon in promoting football at grass root level in this country… We wish all the participating teams, all the very best,” said Wing Commander Yashwant Singh Panghal, honorary secretary general of SMSES.

The 61st edition of the tournament will be held in four different venues this year namely Dr. BR Ambedkar Stadium (Delhi Gate), Tejas Football Ground (Race Course), Subroto Park and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Around 85 different school teams representing their respective states are expected to participate in one of the most important inter-school competitions in Asia. A school from Bangladesh has also confirmed participation in the competition.