CFA, Goa, IFA, SAI among 16 teams for Administrator's Cup

Chandigarh, Aug 30 (UNI) Chandigarh Football Academy will defend their title in the fourth Administrator's Challenge Cup All-India Football Tournament for Under-17 being organised by the Chandigarh Sports Department here from September 1 to 10.

Addressing a press conference here today, Sports Director-cum-Additional Deputy Commissioner Inderjit Singh Sandhu said that 16 teams have entered the fray. Their entries have been received through their respective state associations.

Sandhu said the teams have been divided into four groups.

One team from each group will qualify for the the semi-finals.

CFA have been clubbed with Himachal Pradesh Football Association, Haryana Football Association and Chhattisgarh Football Association.

''We are trying to raise profile of the tournament as this time the championship will be conducted under the patronage of the All India Football Association. The final is likely to be covered live on Doordarshan,'' said Sandhu.

Chandigarh Football Association secretary Rakesh Bakshi has been appointed Match Commissioner.

Giving further expension programme of the tournament, the Chandigarh Sports Director said that next year teams from Nepal and Bangladesh would be given invitation for participation.

''With a view to curbing the menace of fielding overage players, the organising committee has requested the Chandigarh Director Health Services to form a medical board consisting of three to four doctors.

The medical board will examine all participants and its decision will be final and binding,'' said Sandhu.

The opening match will be played between CFA and Himachal Pradesh FA at the Sector 17 Football Stadium on September 1 at 1630 hrs Punjab Governor General (retd) S F Rodrigues will inaugurate the tournament. Adviser to the Chandigarh Administrator Lalit Sharma will distribute the prizes on September 10.

The following are the groupings: Group A: Chandigarh Football Acamedy, Himachal Pradesh Football Association, Haryana Football Association, Chattisgarh Football Association.

Group B: Goa Football Association, St Stephen's Academy Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh Football Association, Hoshiarpur Football Academy.

Group C:Sports Authority of India (East) Kolkata, New Public School-18 Chandigarh, Indian Football Association (West Bengal), Delhi Soccer Association.

Group D: Services Sports Control Board, Sanjay Public School Academy-45 Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir Football Association and Punjab Football Association.

UNI XC DP PDS PM1948