The competition was once one of the most talked about and most fierce tournaments of India, where all top clubs from across the country participated. Mohun Bagan AC still holds the record of winning the trophy the most number of times with 7 wins.
Football enthusiasts of the 60s still talk about the popularity of the tournament when the who’s who of Indian football would flock to Guwahati while spectators from far off places thronged the stadium to watch matches.
Many still recollect the 1971 and 1981 edition when local favourites Assam Police defeated Kolkata’s Mohammedan Sporting and Goa’s Dempo Sports Club to win the tournament.
But towards the latter half of the 1990s, things fizzled out and by 2012, the tournament was restricted to an all North East affair.
However, in a bid to restore the old glory of the tournament, the organizing committee of the 64th Lokopriyo Bordoloi Trophy has taken a lot more effort in making this tournament an exciting one.
Guwahati Football Club Sports Pvt. Ltd. is organising this year’s edition in association with Sports and Youth Welfare, Assam and the tournaments runs from September 18 to October 1 at Nehru Stadium and will include the participation of eight teams.
The participating teams this year are East Bengal, Shillong Lajong FC, Nepal 3 Star, United Sikkim, Flemingo of Nagaland, Oil India FC, ASEB Sports Club and Bongobi Ogragami from Bangladesh.
The teams are divided into two pools, with East Bengal, ASEB, Bongobi Ogragami and United Sikkim being in one pool and the rest in the others. Matches will first be played in the league format with the top two teams from each pool qualifying for the knock-out stages.
This year, the winner of the Bordoloi Trophy will be awarded a prize money of Rs 20 Lakhs, which will be provided by the State Government. The opening ceremony of the tournament would feature the live performance of Bollywood singer Arijit Singh and other celebrities
The kickoff of all matches is scheduled for 7.00 pm.
0 votes
