The Stafford Challenge Cup, ’blue riban of soccer in the South’, kicks off once again at the KSFA Stadium here from Feb 23, 2023 with the grand final slated for March 6, 2023. A must-watch event for football and sports lovers in the Garden City,
The oldest all-India knockout tournament of south India instituted and presented by the Staffordshire Regiment way back in 1938, was last organised way back in 1993. Local giants Indian Telephone Industries, led by goalkeeper Francis Ignatius, had eventually won the cup after failed attempts earlier defeating Union Bank of India, Mumbai, 2-1 in the final with striker Manohar scoring the first goal and M. Babu the winner at the same stadium.
Unfortunately, Francis is no more amidst us. With the All India Football Federation deciding to revive traditional tournaments to provide a platform for clubs and players to showcase their talent, the Karnataka State Football Association got cracking and has managed to put together a total of 15 teams nine outstation and six local which will battle it out on a league basis initially with the four group winners advancing to the semi-finals with the winner of those two clashes vying for honours.
On the opening day, Gokulam FC (Kerala) take on local challengers Roots FC in Group B while the familiar Goan side Dempo SC meet Madras Engineer Group & Centre, Bengaluru in group A. While Group A, C and D have four teams each, Group B has three teams.
The presence of the once-popular teams like Dempo SC should warm the hearts of the football fans and bring back memories of the epic battles that were fought in the past. Kenkre FC, Delhi FC and ARA FC are no newcomers to Bengaluru. They were in action in the final phase of the I-League 2nd division a couple of years ago.
I-League teams like Gokulam FC (Kerala) Chennaiyan FC (Chennai) and Sreenidhi Deccan FC (Hyderabad) are bound to step up the scales considerably. But going by recent performances in the local Super Division League, Bengaluru teams are expected to ensure that it is ‘no walk in the park’ for any of the others in the fray.
The exposure to various foreign leagues through immense television coverage has been an educative platform for many players and teams and they are seen to adopt many tactics and strategies which they become familiar with. But everything that is done is to be matched with optimum fitness levels. The teams have had sufficient time and opportunity to prepare for this traditional event which is being revived ending the craving for it among Bengaluru’s die-hards.
Also Read: Indian Super League: Bengaluru FC will face FC Goa in League stage final game
Stafford Challenge Cup groups:
Group A: FC Bengaluru United, MEG & Centre (both Bengaluru), Dempo SC (Goa), FC Deccan (Hyderabad).
Group B: Roots FC, ASC Centre (both Bengaluru), Gokulam FC (Kerala).
Group C: Bengaluru FC (Bengaluru), Kenkre FC (Mumbai), Sreenidhi Deccan FC
(Hyderabad), Delhi FC (Delhi).
Group D: Kickstart FC (Bengaluru), Chennaiyan FC (Chennai), Ahmedabad Racquet Academy FC (Ahmedabad), Kerala United FC (Kerala).
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