Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi Trophy to Begin on January 29

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Guwahati: The 70th edition of the Bharat Ratna Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi Trophy, Assam’s prestigious football tournament, is set to kick off on January 29. Organized by the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, the Guwahati Sports Association (GSA), and district associations across Assam, the tournament will span all 35 revenue districts of the state.

Tournament Details:

At a press meet held at the Gauhati Town Club, GSA President Paresh Chandra Das, Honorary General Secretary Devajit Saikia, and others shared insights into the event, calling it a “new beginning” for football in Assam.

Tournament Format:

  1. District Round:
    • Participants: Top 8 club teams from each district, with 280 teams competing.
    • Matches: 525 matches in league-cum-knockout format.
    • Prize Money: Rs 75,000 for district champions.
  2. Cluster Round:
    • Divided into six clusters: Upper Assam, Northern Assam, Central Assam, Lower Assam, Barak Valley, and the Capital Region.
    • Prize Money: Rs 1 lakh for cluster winners, Rs 75,000 for runners-up.
  3. Final Round:
    • Includes two direct entries from Guwahati Premier Football League teams and two additional teams from ISL, I-League, or abroad.
    • Prize Money: Rs 10 lakh for champions, Rs 5 lakh for runners-up, and Rs 2.5 lakh for semifinalists.

Special Awards:

  • Player of the Tournament, Golden Boot, Golden Gloves, and Fair Play Team.

Youth Development Initiative:

  • Each team must include five Under-19 players (born on or after January 1, 2006), with at least two in the starting XI.
  • Talent spotters will identify young players, with 17 players selected for a two-week training program in Spain under a collaboration with Best of You India.
  • Two players will receive extended training, with one potentially joining Marbella FC, Spain.

With a total prize pool of Rs 80 lakh and opportunities for international exposure, the tournament aims to revolutionize football in Assam and provide a platform for young talent to shine.

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