East Bengal to face Tollygunj in MUPC-India tourney opener

New Delhi, Mar 21 (UNI) East Bengal will open their campaign in the first Manchester United Premier Cup (MUPC) -- India Final football tournament against Tollygunj Aggragami in kolkata tomorrow.

The five-day event, sponsored by footwear giant Nike in association with Manchester United Club, will see under-15 teams of some of the country's top-ranked clubs vying for top honours.

The aim of this event is to popularise the sport at grassroot level and encourage young talents by giving them an opportunity to participate in a global tournament.

East Bengal, Md Sporting, Tollygunge Agragami and JCT are placed in Group I while Mohun Bagan, EverReady, Vasco and Mahindra United are clubbed in Group II.

This initiative follows the recently announced partnership between Nike and All India Football Federation (AIFF), a release said here today.

Tournament Fixture; March 22: East Bengal VS Tollygunj Aggragami (4 pm, Ground I) : Md. Sporting VS J C T (5 pm, Ground I) : Mohun Bagan VS Ever Ready (4 pm, Ground II) : Mahindra United VS Vasco Sports Club (5 pm, Ground II) March 23: Md. Sporting VS Tollygunj Aggragami (4 pm, Ground I) : East Bengal VS J C T (5 pm, Ground I) : Mahindra United VS Ever Ready (4 pm, Ground II) : Mohun Bagan VS Vasco Sports Club (5 pm, Ground II) March 24: East Bengal VS Md. Sporting (4 pm, Ground I) : Tollygunj Aggragami VS J C T (5 pm, Ground I) : Mohun Bagan VS Mahindra United (4 pm, Ground II) : Ever Ready VS Vasco Sports Club (5 pm, Ground II) March 25: Rest day March 26: Winners of Group I VS Winners of Group II (4.45 pm) UNI PDS AY PM1608