All India Governor's Gold Cup to begin from October 5

Gangtok, Sep 19 (UNI) The 28th All India Governor's Gold Cup Football Tournament will begin here from October 5.

Sikkim Football Association President Tempo Bhutia told newsmen here that altogether 12 teams are likely to participate in the tournament that would come to a close on October 19.

Besides Assam Rifles, AIR India, Punjab Police and BSF Jalandhar teams from Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Tibet will also be seen in action.

Mr Bhutia said for the first time, on an experimental basis, the pre-quarter final matches of the tournament will be played on knock- out basis, the quarter final matches on league basis and the semifinals again on knock out basis.

''If it succeeds, the system would be followed in the later years,'' he said.

A prize money of Rs three lakh would be given to the winner and the runner up will be awarded with a cash prize of Rs two lakh.

At least four teams, including last year's winner BSF Jalandhar, would be given direct entry to quarter-final matches, he said.

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