The Subroto Cup International Football Tournament – Asia’s largest youth football tournament is all set to kick-off in the National Capital from 20th August 2019. The tournament this year will see a record participation from 113 teams including 16 international teams vying for the coveted winner’s prize in the Sub Junior Boys (U-14), Junior (U-17) Boys & Girls categories.

The winners, apart from the Cup, will also walk away with an attractive cash prize of INR 2,50,000 for the Sub-Junior Boys while a cash prize of INR 3,50,000 each will be awarded to the Junior Boys & Girls. The Runner-Up in the Sub-Junior boys category walk away with a cash prize of INR 1,25,000 while the Junior Boys & Girls would earn a total of INR 2,00,000.

At the launch function held at the Air force Station New Delhi, Race Course, Air Marshall PP Bapat VSM, Air Officer-in-charge-Administration& Vice Chairman, Subroto Mukherjee Sports Education Society (SMSES) was Chief Guest. Dalima Chibber, Former Captain, Indian National Senior Women’s football team was also present as Guest of Honour.

The tournament is organized by the Indian Air force and is supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Human Resource Development and the Sports Authority of India.

Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi will play host to the knock out games including the semi-finals and finals while the round robin games will be played at other grounds across Delhi & NCR.

Sharing his thoughts at the function, Air Marshal Bapat,said, “It’s a momentous occasion for us to host the 60th Edition of the Subroto Cup International Football Tournament. We at the Indian Air Force have always strongly believed in sports as a critical factor tousher in human development and today this needs no proof. Football is undoubtedly the world’s favourite sport and the love for it is similar amongst us airmen as well. Hence hosting the tournament for the last 59 years has been a matter of pride for us. With the years the number of participating teams from India and abroad has seen a steady rise and that only speaks for the popularity of the tournament across the globe. I am happy to be told that the Subroto Cup International Football Tournament this year will also see participation from 16 international teams – the highest ever in the tournament’s history. I wish all the participating teams all the very best and hope to see the best team emerge victorious.”

Dalima Chibber, former Captain of the Indian Women’s Senior National Team said, “It’s an honour to be present here today. Subroto Cup’s status as a prestigious football tournament needs no further gratification and I feel glad to see that Subroto Cup over the years has only grown in stature and respect. With emphasis on the growth of Indian Football which is on the rise and the U17 Women’s World Cup scheduled next year,it’s very important for us to have tournaments attracting the youth. It’s these platforms which are the breeding ground for future stars and Indian football needs youngsters who can contribute positively to the game. I am sure like in the past, Subroto Cup will help in spotting some bright stars of the future this year as well.”

New Wellington Camp Ground, Race Course Road, Subroto Park Football Ground & Harbaksh Stadium at Delhi Cantonment, Football Stadium at East Vinod Nagar in Patparganj, IP Extension and GD Goenka International School, Gurgaon will host the round robin games.

Champion teams in the U-14 boys, U-17 boys & Girls category from each state and Union Territory of India along with institutional teams, international teams and clubs fight it out at the Subroto Cup International Football Tournament for the winners’ prize.