16th Independence Cup football tourney begins

Mangalore, July 14: The biggest event on the district's football calendar, featuring around 150 teams and over 2,000 players, kicked off on Saturday in the city.

Deputy Mayor Amitha Kala formally inaugurated the 16th Independence Cup Football Tournament 2012 at District Football Ground, adjacent to Nehru Maidan in the presence of dignitaries. The tournament is being organised under the aegis of Dakshina Kannada Football Association.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony Ramesh, Chairman, Mangalore Urban Development Authority, admitted that there was a need for permanent and full-fledged football ground in the city as the present ground was being utilized for all games. The field in Emmekere could be transformed into a permanent football ground, he said.

He also said the encouragement and basic faculties are the need of the hour for the young footballers. “If you want to see more and more national and international sportsmen in this region encourage young players and provide basic facilities”, he said.

In her inaugural address Amitha Kala said that games like football helps young people to develop their personality.

Congratulating the DKFA for continuously organising football tournament in the city, she said that such tournaments play crucial role in producing good footballers.

Govinda Pai, Assistant General Manager, Corporation Bank, said that give equal importance to games like football instead of concentrating only on cricket.

According to D M Aslam, President, DKFA, matches would be played in seven separate categories. The matches for Higher Primary School boys and girls teams would be held from July 14 to 17. For High School boys and girls teams, matches would be held from July 18 to 21. The competition for PU College teams would be held from July 22 to 27. The college level football matches would be held between July 28 and August 7, and the professional college teams would play the matches between August 8 and 14. The final matches for High School, PU College and Degree College teams would be held on August 15, he said.

The Independence Cup tournaments have been taking place in Mangalore since 1997, the year of 50th anniversary of the country's independence.

A Divakar, Corporator, MCC, and office-bearers of the DKFA Vijay Suvarna, Mohammed Hussain Bolar, Umesh Uchil and Anil PV were present among others.