CHANDIGARH, AUG 28 :Three local and 18 prominent outstation teams will be seen in action in the 6th Administrator’s Challenge Cup All-India Football Tournament for Under-17, being organised by the Chandigarh Sports Department from September 1 to 9. It has approval of the All India Football Federation.
Steadfast Sports Academy, Mumbai, Mahindra and Mahinder, Mumbai, Mohun Bagan Sail Football Academy, West Bengal, Bihar Football Association and Indian Football Association, West Bengal, are taking part for the first time in the Administrator’s Challenge Cup.
Chandigarh Sports Director-cum-Additional Deputy Commissioner Inderjit Singh Sandhu told newsmen here today that the teams had been divided into four groups and winners of each group would make it to the semi-finals.
The league matches will be played at the Sector 42 Football Ground and the Sector 17 Football Stadium. Both semi-finals, scheduled for September 8 and the final on September 9. will be played at the Sector 17 Football Stadium.
Services Football XI are the defending champions. New Public School Academy, Sector 18, Chandigarh are runners-up.
Chandigarh Football Academy, which is run by the Chandigarh Administration, will begin campaign with their opening group A match against Steadfast Sports Academy of Mumbai at the Sector 17 Football Stadium at 4 p.m.
The teams taking part are: Bihar Football Association, Cantonment Board Senior Secondary School, Jalandhar Cantt., Chandigarh Football Academy, Chhattisgarh Football Association, Delhi Soccer Association, Himachal Pradesh Football Association, Haryana Football Association, Indian Football Association Kolkata, J & K, Football Association, Mahalpur Football Team, Hoshiarpur, Madhya Pradesh Football Association, Mahindra & Mahindra Football Club, Mizoram SSA Football XI, Mohun Bagan Sail Football Academy, West Bengal, New Public School Football Academy, Chandigarh, Orissa Football Association, Punjab Football Association, Services Football XI, Steadfast Sports Academy, Mumbai, St. Stephin’s School Football Academy, Chandigarh and Tamil Nadu Football Association.
Mr Sandhu said that all arrangements had been completed and the various committees formed for the smooth conduct of the tournament had been working hard. Free board and lodging (Rs 100 per head per day) during stay of the teams at the venue of the tournament to 18 players and two officials will be given. To and fro rail fare will also be given to the participating teams.
The AIFF observer/commissioner can refer any player, who appears to be overage, to the medical committee which will examine the concerned player. And if required, it can take magnetic resonance image (MRI) to ascertain the correct age. A player born on or after January 1, 1992 is eligible to take part in the tournament.
Mr Sandhu said that a disciplinary committee would be headed by match commissioner or a disciplinary representative appointed by the AIFF. The disciplinary panel will comprise match commissioner, referee/instructor and a representative of the state football association.
The following are the groupings: Group A: Tamil Nadu Football Association, Orissa Football Association, Chandigarh Football Academy, Madhya Pradesh Football Association, Haryana Football Association.
Group B: Cantonment Board Senior Secondary School, Jalandhar Cantt., Mahindra & Mahindra Football Club, Mohun Bagan Sail Football Academy, West Bengal, J & K, Football Association, Bihar Football Association.
Group C: Mizoram SSA Football XI, Services Football XI, Punjab Football Association, Himachal Pradesh Football Association, St. Stephin’s School Football Academy, Chandigarh.
Group D: Delhi Soccer Association, Chhattisgarh Football Association, Mahilpur Football Academy, Indian Football Association, New Public School Academy, Chandigarh.
Joint Director Dr JPS Sidhu and Chandigarh Football Association secretary Rakesh Bakshi were present during the press conference.
Gen (Retd) SF Rodrigues, Governor of Punjab and Administrator Union Territory, Chandigarh will inaugurate the tournament on September 1 while Adviser to the Chandigarh Administrator Pardip Mehra will distribute the prizes on September 9.