The Don Bosco-Fr. McFerran Trophy all-India football tournament will be held from January 15 to 27 in the city. The knock-out competition will feature 16 teams and the opening fixture will pit Tiruvallur DFA XI against DBO, Goa.
The tournament winner stands to earn Rs. 25,000 while the runner-up will be rewarded Rs. 15,000. In all, 15 matches will be played and a penalty shootout will decide the contest if it remains undecided after 90 minutes until the last-four stage. An extra-time of 30 minutes will precede the shootout in the semifinals and final if the matches aren’t decided in regulation time.
16 teams
Seven states will be represented by the 16 teams in the event with seven of them from Tamil Nadu. Six of those were involved in the CFA senior division league, which was won by Arrows recently. The others are Indian Bank, ICF, SAI, Hindustan Eagles and Tamil Nadu Police.
In addition to defending champion Bangalore DFA XI and DBO, Goa, fans in the city can also look forward to watching Goa FA XI (u-21), Universal Soccer School (Kerala), Shera Krida Samiti (a first time entrant from Chhattisgarh), DBYC (Kerala), Vizag DFA XI, Pune FC and Brother’s Club (Kerala) in action.
The organisers will award individual prizes to the best goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, striker, two best young players and top scorer in the tournament.
Cosco is the official ball sponsor of the competition. It will also provide the medals, ball boys uniform, etc.
