New Delhi, July 2: The fourth edition of the Oriental Cup, a prominent inter-school football tournament in the Delhi-NCR region, will take place from July 7 to 16 at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium. Organizers have announced a record prize pool and a scholarship program worth ₹2.5 lakh for 10 student-athletes.
Over 1,500 participants from more than 45 schools in Delhi-NCR are expected to compete. The tournament will feature more than 50 matches across the boys’ Under-17 and girls’ Under-19 categories.
While announcing the tournament, founder Farid Bakshi emphasized the event’s focus on creating opportunities for young footballers and contributing to grassroots development.
Bakshi stated, “Each edition of the Oriental Cup is about creating more opportunities for young football players. This year, we have more than doubled the tournament’s prize pool and initiated a scholarship program of ₹2.5 lakh for 10 deserving student-athletes, reinforcing our commitment to recognizing and supporting young talent.”
He also expressed excitement over the significant increase in girls’ participation. Since the inaugural edition, the number of girls’ teams has doubled, now comprising nearly 40% of all participating teams. This success strengthens the belief that they are moving in the right direction to make the Oriental Cup one of India’s most prestigious inter-school football tournaments.
According to the organizers, more than 25 teams will compete in the boys’ Under-17 category, while over 16 teams will participate in the girls’ Under-19 category. This reflects the tournament’s growth since its inception in 2023.
The organizers reiterated their commitment to promoting equal opportunities for girls in school football, noting a consistent increase in female participation over the past four editions.
Since its launch in 2023, the Oriental Cup has engaged over 55 educational institutions and NGOs, reaching more than 2,700 young footballers and hosting over 80 matches.
Leave a Comment