Our Sports Reporter,
GUWAHATI: NFRSA secured their spot in the quarter-finals of the 70th Bordoloi Trophy Football Tournament with a 2-0 win over Barekuri FC in the opening match of the final round at Judges Field here today. After a goalless first half, NFRSA came alive in the second half, scoring twice thanks to Arjun Mardi and Prabik Ghising.
The prestigious tournament, organized by the Guwahati Sports Association with support from the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, Assam, and various District Sports Associations, features 17 teams. These include 12 teams that advanced from the Cluster Round, the winners and runners-up of the 2024 Guwahati Premier Football League, and three invited teams—NorthEast United FC, Shillong Lajong FC, and Oil India Limited FC.
NFRSA dominated the match from the start but struggled to convert their chances in the first half, even missing a penalty. However, they found their rhythm in the second half, with Arjun Mardi breaking the deadlock in the 58th minute. Just 11 minutes later, Prabik Ghising doubled the lead to secure the win.
Earlier the opening ceremony of the tournament was graced by Jayanta Mallabarua, Minister for PHE & Department of Housing & Urban Affairs, alongside Dr. Partha Sarathi Mahanta, Commissioner of Police, Guwahati; Sujit Dey, Assistant General Manager (Marketing & Communications) of the State Bank of India; and RJ Mandy, Cluster Head of Radio Gup Shup, President of Guwahati Sports Association Paresh Chandra Das and secretary Devajit Saikia respectively..
In his address, Jayanta Mallabarua praised the organizers for maintaining the legacy of the historic tournament and highlighted the contributions of Assam's Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma in promoting sports in the state. Devajit Saikia, the organizing committee chairman, revealed that 72 players in U-19 category were selected from the initial rounds of the competition. A special training cum selection camp will be held to select 17 players from them who will then be sent to Spain for advanced training.
Veteran footballers Narayan Boro, Maolang Ao, Prahlad Khaklary, and Santosh Goswami, who have previously competed in the Bordoloi Trophy, were also honored for their significant contributions to the sport.
The tournament offers a total prize purse of Rs 80 lakh, with the champions set to receive Rs 10 lakh, the runners-up Rs 5 lakh, and each semifinalist Rs 2.5 lakh. The final will take place on March 13. Monday’s Fixtures: Navajyoti Club vs. Lenruol FC at 2:15 PM. Pride East Mavericks vs. Rani Coaching Centre at 4:30 PM
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