Several youths across the state are trying their best to prove their prowess during the Chief Minister Invitational Football Cup, currently underway at several districts, including East Singhbhum, Dhanbad, Seraikela-Kharsawan and Ranchi.
Being organised by tourism, art, culture, sports and youth affairs department, over 8,000 boys and girls from all 24 districts are taking part in the district-level tournament.
Boys and girls from Simdega and Hazaribagh took part in the tournament held earlier this month from October 13 to 15.
Chaibasa, Garhwa, Ramgarh and Chatra districts will compete at their respective places from October 25 to 27, while Jamtara and Dumka will participate in the event from October 26 to 28
“The district-level fixture will be followed by the zonal tournament from October 29 to 31 at Latehar Khunti, Seraikela-Kharsawan, Sahebganj, Deogarh, Dhanbad, Gumla and Hazaribagh. It will then be followed by the state meet in Ranchi on November 12,” said sports director Anil Kumar Singh.
Boys and girls from 11 blocks in East Singhbhum hit the greens at HCL grounds in Ghatshila on Wednesday. “We have teams from 11 blocks, including Jamshedpur and Patamda,” said East Singhbhum district sports officer Anita Kerketta.
On Wednesday, Baharagora beat Jamshedpur 5-4 in a tie-breaker in the first semis while Potka tripped Dumaria 3-0, also in a tie-breaker in the other last four outings. Potka and Baharagora will clash in the boys’ finals on Thursday.
Seraikela-Kharsawan district sports officer Balkishore Mahto said nine blocks of Seraikela-Kharsawan were part of the event.
Harender Singh, co-ordinator of the event in Chaibasa, said preparations were complete for the matches to be held at the district ground in Chaibasa from Thursday. “Players from 18 blocks under West Singhbhum will take part in the tournament,” he added.
The tournament in Dhanbad, which was held on Tuesday, witnessed a boys’ team from 10 blocks and a girls’ team from five. Boys’ and girls’ teams from East Tundi block claimed the title. The boys defeated Dhanbad block 3-0 in the finals, while the girls outwit Topchanchi 3-0.
