Top teams for Abhijit Memorial football meet

Pune, Feb 9 (UNI) Top teams like Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) Academy from West Bengal, Mahindra United Youth from Mumbai, Travancore Titanium from Kerala, and Sagolband United from Manipur will be the star attractions in the Abhijit Kadam Memorial Football Cup All India invitation tournament to be held here from February 18 to 27.

Addressing reporters here today, Poona District Football Association (PDFA) president and managing trustee of Abhijit Kadam Memorial Foundation (AKMF) Vishwajit Kadam said a total of 28 teams -- 14 outstation and an equal number from Pune -- will vie for top honours in the meet.

Last year champions Jammu and Kasmir Bank Limited and runners-up Central Excise and Customs, Cochin, however, will be conspicuous by their absence.

Other major outstation challengers include Premier India Football Academy (PIFA)'s Colaba Young Stars from Mumbai, Bharat Electronics Sports Club from Bangalore, Globe Football Club from Hyderabad, and under-20 teams from Andhra Pradesh and Goa.

The state challenge will be spearheaded by Dilbahar Talim Mandal, Patakadil Talim Mandal, Lucky Star Football Club from Miraj and Aurangabad Football Club, Mr Kadam informed.

The winner's prize money has been raised to Rs 61,000 from Rs 51,000 and the runners-up prize money to Rs 31,000 from Rs 21,000 from this year, Mr Kadam said. Special cash awards of Rs 5,000 will also be awarded to the ''Best Goalkeeper'' and the ''Best Player '' of the tournament, Mr Kadam said.

The organising committee has made some changes in the duration of play this year -- the preliminary rounds upto the pre-quarters will be of 35 minutes duration in each half. The quarter-finals will be of 40 minutes in each half, while the semi-finals and the finals will be of 45 minutes in each half, Mr Kadam informed.

UNI