CHANDIGARH, OCT 15 : As many as nine matches will be played on the opening day of the second Ess Vee Soccer Cup for Under-15 being organised by Ess Vee group at the Sector 17 Football Stadium here from October 17 to 19. Seventeen teams have been divided into two groups and the tournament will be played on knockout basis..
Addressing a press conference here today, Vinod Bagai, Managing Director of Samar Estates Private Limited said that Director Town and Country Planning Haryana S S Dhillon would be the chief guest and inaugurate the tournament.
Announcing that it would be an annual feature to providea platform for the budding footballers of the region, Vinod Bagai said "we are making sincere efforts to promote soccer. Organising this tournament is one of the steps in this direction. Gradually we will make Sidhi Vinayak Soccer Cup a zonal affair and after achieving it, we will try to make it a national affair. We will seek cooperation from all like-minded persons in our venture."
"We have introduced cash prize this year. Besides the cash incentives, we will provide all other basic requirements to the players and officials like mineral drinking water, T-shirts to all, trophies and medals to the winners, runners-up and semi-finalists," said Vinod Bagai.
"Introducing a tournament for girls is under the active consideration besides raising SV Group XI which will be fielded in All-India tournaments," explained Bagai while elaborating the future plan.
Organising secretary Deepak Uniyal said that the winners would be richer by Rs 11,000. They will also be presented kit bags, mementos and trophy. Thr runners-up will receive a pay cheque of Rs 7100, trophy, mementos and kit bags. A cash award of Rs 5100, mementos, kit bag and trophy will be given to the bronze medalists. The losing semi-finalists will get Rs 2100 and kit bags.
Cash awards of Rs 1100 and memento will go to the best player and the best custodian of the tournament. The most promising player will receive Rs 500 and memento.
There is an incentive for the schools which send their cheering team comprising 10 performers.The winners and runners-up will be given trophy and medals.
AK Kaushal, who is also joint secretary of the Punjab Football Association said "we are ensuring that only eligible (under-15) players take part in the meet. The organising committee has directed the participating teams to get their players duly verified by the principal. In case of doubt a player can be sent for medical examinations to determine their age."
Meanwhile, all arrangements have been finalised for the smooth conduct of the meet.
The following are the groups:
Group A: St Xavier’s High School, Ryan International School Patiala, Saupin’s School Mohali, Banyan Tree School Chandigarh, St Xavier’s School Mohali, Stepping Stone Chandigarh, Holy Child School Panchkula, St Peter’s School Chandigarh, Baptish School Chandigarh
Group B: Panchkula, Delhi Public School Pinjore, St Xavier’s Chandigarh, Yadvindra Public School Mohali, St Merry School Chandigarh, Jaininder School Panchkula, Saupin’s School Chandigarh, Ryan International School Chandigarh, and St Anne’s School Chandigarh.