Diamond jubilee edition of Subroto Cup kicks off in New Delhi

The tournament this year is witnessing a record participation from 112 teams including 16 international teams vying for the coveted winner’s prize in the sub-junior boys (U-14), junior (U-17) boys & girls categories.

Reliance Foundation School emerged victorious in the inaugural match of Subroto Cup 2019, defeating Jharkhand 4-1.

The diamond jubilee edition of the Subroto Cup - Asia’s largest youth football tournament - kicked off on Tuesday at the Dr. Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi. Reliance Foundation School emerged victorious in the inaugural match, defeating Jharkhand 4-1 in a Pool A fixture.

Air Marshal PP Bapat VSM, air officer-in-charge-administration and vice chairman, Subroto Mukherjee Sports Education Society (SMSES) was the Chief Guest at the opening ceremony.

He said at the opening ceremony: "We at the Indian Air Force have always strongly believed in sports as a critical factor to usher in human development and this needs no emphasis, as football is undoubtedly the world’s favourite sport and the love for it is similar amongst the air warriors. Therefore, hosting the 60 edition is a matter of pride for us. The number of participating teams from India and abroad has seen a steady rise over the years and that speaks for the popularity of the tournament across the globe."

The tournament this year is witnessing a record participation from 112 teams including 16 international teams vying for the coveted winner’s prize in the sub-junior boys (U-14), junior (U-17) boys & girls categories.                                                                                                                                                                          

The prize money for the winners and runners-up in all three categories have been increased by Rs 50,000. The best player and best goal keeper awards have also been increased from Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000. 

The winners for the Sub Junior boys, apart from Cup, will walk away with a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh while a cash prize for Rs 4 lakh each will be awarded to junior boys and girls. The runners-up in the sub junior boys category get a prize of Rs 1.75 lakh while those in the junior boys and girls will earn Rs 2.5 lakh each.

New Delhi's Ambedkar Stadium in will play host to the knock out games including the semifinals and finals. The round-robin games will be played at New Wellington Camp Ground, Race Course Road, Subroto Park Football Ground, Football Stadium at East Vinod Nagar in Patparganj, IP Extension, GD Goenka International School and Pathways World School.