New Delhi, July 20
The third edition of the Oriental Cup, Delhi's emerging youth football tournament, is all set to kick off tomorrow, July 21, at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium. With 36 participating teams, 24 in the boys' category and 12 in the girls', this year's tournament promises an action-packed week of high-quality school football, spirited competition, and inclusive community engagement, according to a release from Oriental Cup.
The 2025 season will begin with seven matches featuring some of the city's most exciting young talents. In the opening fixtures, Government Co-ed Senior Secondary School, Dwarka will take on Mother's International School in the boys' category, followed by their respective girls' teams facing off. Next, Sanskriti International School will meet Amity International, Saket in the boys' match, followed by the defending champions in the girls' category, Sanskriti International School, going up against Amity International, Saket's girls' team.
Later in the day, the boys' team from The Air Force School, Subroto Park, winners of the first edition, will face Kendriya Vidyalaya School (JNU), while their girls' team will play Amity International, Noida. The final fixture of the day will see Amity International, Noida take on Kendriya Vidyalaya, RK Puram in the boys' draw.
All matches will be played at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium, which will host the entire tournament through to the finals on July 29. The competition is structured with qualifier rounds, followed by league matches and culminating championship games for both boys and girls.
Recognised by the Delhi Soccer Association for its growing contribution to grassroots football, the Oriental Cup is steadily evolving into a meaningful platform where school teams experience structured, competitive play in a professional setting.
— ANI
Reader Comments
So happy to see girls' teams getting equal importance in this tournament! When I was in school 10 years back, we barely had any football opportunities. This is real progress for women's sports in India 💪
The tournament is good but why only private and elite schools? Where are the government school teams? Football should be more inclusive if we want to find real talent across all sections of society.
As an expat parent, I'm thrilled my daughter gets to participate in such well-organized tournaments. The facilities at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium are world-class. Hoping for more international school participation next year!
Sanskriti vs Amity will be the match to watch! Both schools have produced players who went on to play for Delhi in national tournaments. Hope scouts from ISL clubs are watching these matches 🤞
The timing is perfect - school vacations mean kids can focus completely. But organizers should arrange live streaming for parents who can't attend. Many working parents would appreciate this facility.
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