Football Tournament in Punjab

Football in the Punjab is as passionate as football around the world. It is a vibrant celebration of the sport, bringing together teams and fans from various regions to compete and showcase their skills.

 

Many scouts from the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) say Punjab is producing quantity but not quality. Budding footballers are being taught outdated techniques.

 

 

But four players from Punjab represented India in the recently-concluded Intercontinental Cup. Last year, Minerva Punjab Football Club were crowned the I-League champions. In the AIFF U-16 Youth I-League, the Punjab-based Minerva Club have been the champions since the last three years (2015, 2016, 2017). At least 30 percent of players from the northern region make up the I-League. A large number of players in the Indian Super League (ISL) are from Punjab since its conception in 2013.

 

There was a time when JCT FC and football were synonymous in Punjab. After the decline of Leaders Club, Punjab’s first professional football club, JCT FC, monopolized the game in the state for nearly four decades. Being a professional club with home-grown players boosted the confidence of budding players, ensuring a regular supply of raw talent.

 

 

Set up in 1971, JCT hogged the limelight in the 1990s, winning the Federation Cup twice in 1995 and 1996. The Phagwara-based club won the inaugural National Football League (1996-1997), Durand Cup (1976, 1983, 1986, 1992, 1996), Rovers Cup (1997), and IFA Shield (1996), among many tournaments.

 

Along with its winning streak, what made JCT popular in Punjab was its ability to attract top Indian football stars. IM Vijayan (1994), Jo Paul Ancheri (1994), Bhaichung Bhutia (1995), and Sunil Chettri (2005) all have donned the JCT jersey and played a big role in popularizing the game in Punjab. 

After partition, the East Punjab Football Association came into existence on 24 February 1948. The East Punjab Football Association was soon replaced by the Punjab Football Association, again affiliated to the All India Football Federation on 24 April 1951. Punjab Football Association was founded in 1932 as North West India Football Association. It’s headquarters in Phagwara, and its president is Samir Thapar and secretary is Harjinder Singh. 

 

 

The Punjab Football Association (PFA), formerly the North-West India Football Association, is the state-level football governing body for Punjab, India. It is affiliated with the All India Football Federation, the sports national governing body. It sends state teams for the Santosh Trophy and the Senior Women’s National Football Championship.

Bathinda, May 16, 2024: The fervor of football reached its peak as the Punjab Football League Tournament series match unfolded at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU), Bathinda.

 

 

Dr. Bhupinder Pal Singh, the Director of Sports and Youth Services at MRSPTU, ceremoniously inaugurated the match amidst the spirited presence of football enthusiasts.

 

Coaches Ajaypreet Singh Behniwal and Alamjot Singh Brar, the match unfolded seamlessly, providing spectators with a riveting spectacle of athleticism and sportsmanship.

 

Among the esteemed dignitaries and football enthusiasts gracing the occasion were Director, Physical Education, Dr. Sukhwinder Singh, Director of Public Relations, Harjinder Singh Sidhu, Assistant Registrar, Neeraj Kumar, and numerous other enthusiasts who contributed to the vibrant atmosphere with their unwavering support and enthusiasm.

 

MRSPTU, as the esteemed host, is set to stage two more gripping league series matches on May 24 and May 29, further adding to the excitement of football lovers.

The Punjab School Games Organized a thrilling football tournament for boys under 14 at Mohinder Ganj, Rajpura, on August 28th, 2023, in which our students had a remarkable day as they attained the 3rd position.

 

 

The success continued as our three students, Rizul Khatter from Grade VII, Ranveer Singh from Grade VII and Manraj Singh from Grade IV, were chosen for the upcoming District level competition.

Punjab faces several challenges in developing football, like infrastructure issues, financial constraints, administrative challenges, societal and cultural factors, government support, and many more challenges, but Punjab never gives up, and finally, Punjab has an impressive history of winning the Santosh Trophy right times and reaching the final 14 times.

 

The crisis history of football in Punjab teaches a lot to the people of Punjab. It is the inspiration for the youth participation in the region for football, and it encourages them to participate in football tournaments and make them feel proud of their region.