Key Points

An official announcement to this effect was made at a press event at the Akash Officers' Mess here in the national capital, in the presence of Air Marshal S Sivakumar VSM, Air Officer‑in‑Charge Administration & Vice Chairman, Subroto Mukherjee Sports Education Society (SMSES), who graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Indian footballer Dalima Chhibber also graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour, according to a release from Subroto Cup.

The Subroto Cup, hosted by Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society under the aegis of Air Force Sports Control Board, was first held in 1960 and was named after Air Marshal Subroto Mukherjee, who conceived the idea to promote sport at the grassroots level. The tournament will kick off on August 19 with the Junior Girls (Under‑17) category in New Delhi NCR. The Sub‑Junior Boys (Under‑15) category will be hosted in Bengaluru from 2 September, while the final phase of the tournament, the Junior Boys (Under‑17) category, kicks off on 16 September in New Delhi NCR.

Addressing the gathering, Air Marshal S Sivakumar VSM, Air Officer‑in‑Charge Administration & Vice Chairman SMSES, said, "The Indian Air Force and SMSES have been committed to making the tournament bigger and better every year, providing a platform for young kids to take the next step in their career. I congratulate all the teams who have qualified for the tournament and wish them all the very best. May they play the game in the true spirit of sportsmanship."

Dalima Chhibber, Indian footballer, said, "It is an honour to be back at the Subroto Cup, where my journey started in 2011 with the first ever Women's Under‑17 tournament. This tournament gives wings to young boys and girls who have dreams at the school level and provides them the confidence and opportunity to showcase their talent and get selected. Many players from here have joined national teams, and I hope we can all support this tournament for the betterment of the sport in the country," as quoted from a release by Subroto Cup.

Seven players shall be selected from the scouting round for advanced football training in Germany as part of the Indian Tiger & Tigresses campaign.

Besides the hallowed Ambedkar Stadium and the Tejas Football Ground, Subroto Park Football Ground and Pinto Park Football Ground in New Delhi will be the venues in the Delhi/NCR region. In Bengaluru, matches will be played at the Air Force School, Jalahalli; the Air Force School, Yelahanka; and the HQ Training Command Football Ground.

A total of 106 teams participating across the three categories will represent States and Union Territories (UTs) and different educational bodies of the country, along with teams from four foreign countries. Over 200 football matches are scheduled to be played across all three categories. An age determination test will be conducted for the Sub‑Junior Boys category in Bengaluru to ensure fair play for all teams participating.

TG English School, Bishnupur, Manipur, are the defending champions of the Junior Boys category, while Mother International School, Ranchi, Jharkhand, defended their title in the Junior Girls category in the 63rd edition. Nongiri Presbyterian Secondary School, Meghalaya, clinched the Sub‑Junior Boys title at Bengaluru.

- ANI