Young Footballers Compete in Subrato Cup as Tournament Structure Unveiled

The 65th Subrato Cup International Football Tournament launched on 18 August at Delhi’s Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Stadium, marking the start of a massive youth competition. The opening match in the Under‑17 girls division saw Meghalaya triumph over Chandigarh.

A total of 108 teams are registered in three age brackets: Under‑17 Junior Girls, Under‑17 Junior Boys, and Under‑15 Sub‑Junior Boys. Organisers have divided each bracket into eight groups, with the group‑winners progressing to the knockout rounds that will lead to the finals.

The tournament is positioned as a catalyst for grassroots football development, offering young athletes a platform to hone their skills, gain competitive experience, and set ambitious targets.

Air Marshal S. Shivkumar, Air Officer‑in‑Charge Administration, chaired the inauguration, joined by Subrato Mukherjee, Vice‑President of the Subrato Mukherjee Sports Education Society. Weightlifting champion Lovepreet Singh attended as a special guest.

The ceremony was enlivened by performances from the Air Force Warriors drill team and a cultural showcasing by students of the Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute. In his speech, Air Marshal Shivkumar emphasized that the Subrato Cup reflects the persistent passion for football in India and called on all teams to uphold the true spirit of sport.