Pune: Football fans in Pune have good news as the city is going to host the 7th Abhijit Kadam Memorial Football Cup. Some of the top I-League teams including Prayag United Sports Club, Kolkata, and Air-India, Mumbai are going to participate in the tournament.
The football frenzy created following series of I-League matches in Pune with Air India and Mumbai FC making the city their base besides Pune’s own Pune Football Club, will now shift to the lush and well maintained turf at the floodlit Bharati Vidyapeeth Education Complex Ground in Dhankawdi, from March 3 to 11.
Interestingly, the organizers Abhijit Kadam Momorial Foundation (AKMF) this year have propped up the prize money to doubles, which adds up to the growth of the tournament, which in turn has made it attractive for teams to compete.
In attracting three elite I-League teams, the participation turns out to be healthy as during tournament two other top-grade all-India tournaments – IFA Shield in Kolkata and KC Nayannar Cup – is being held simultaneously.
Former champions Mumbai FC will be third I-League team in the fray, making this edition stronger than last year when only two top league teams—Sporting Clube de Goa and Shillong Lajong—took part. Sporting had won the title beating Shillong Lajong in the well-contested final.
Speaking at a press conference, Dr Vishwajeet Kadam, Managing Trustee, AKMF said, “As always we (AKMF) try out best in our bit to bring class footballing action to the city. The tournament also provides an opportunity of the best two club teams in the state that emerges from the AKMF Shield to pit their skills against teams they would rarely play against.”
This year though, the tournament will be a six-team affair with Sesa Football Academy, PIFA Colaba and Amanora Deccan XI FC being the other three teams in the fray. Interestingly, among all participating teams - Prayag United SC, Air-India, Sesa Football Academy will be making their maiden appearances in the tournament.
Amanora Deccan XI were the winners of the Abhijit Kadam Memorial Football Shield, a state-level tournament held in December last, wherein PIFA Colaba finished runners-up.
The format this year will be a league cum knock out tournament. The teams will be divided into two groups of three teams each and they will play round-robin league with the top two making it to the semifinals. Group A toppers will take on the number two team in Group B in the first semifinal, while Group B toppers meet Group A runner-up in the second semifinal.
The prize money for the 2012 tournament has been increased by double with the winner taking home Rs 3 lakh, medals, certificates and a replica trophy. The runner-up team will be richer by Rs 2 lakh, medals, certificates and a replica trophy. The ‘Best Player’ and ‘Best Goalkeeper’ of the tournament will earn Rs 15,000 each, a memento and a certificate.
Over the past seven years, this tournament has grown manifold with teams not only from the state, but from across the country has taken part in the tournament.
As always, the tournament is being conducted under the aegis of the Pune District Football Association (PDFA) and the Western India Football Association and is recognized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
The inaugration function will be attended by the Honorable Padmakar Valvi, Minister of Sports & Youth Welfare, Government of Maharashtra who is the Chief Guest for the ocassion.
Likewise,the Guests of Honor will be the Honorable Rajendra Mulak, Minister of State, Finance, Energy, Water Resources, Excise, Planning, Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Maharashtra and Honorable Satej.D.Patil, Minister of State, Home (Urban & Rural), Rural Development, Food & Drug Administration, Govt. of Maharashtra.
By Indian Sports News
