Assam to play iugural tie in T Ao Soccer

By our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI, April 13: Host Assam will face Sikkim in the iugural match of the 6th T Ao Soccer championship which will kick off at the Sarusajai stadium on April 19. Altogether 8 teams will take part in the championship.

Disclosing the news in a media conference Ajay Tiwari, the commissioner secretary of the Sports and Youth Welfare Department, Assam, said, " this time the tourment will be held in two separate venues- Guwahati and Silchar. Eight participating teams are divided into two groups. Guwahati will host the matches of group 'A' along with iugural and closing function, one semi fil and fil. On the other hand Silchar will host the matches of group 'B' and a semi fil. Silchar leg will start on April 21."

The tourment carries cash award of Rs 17 lakh 50 thousand. The champion will earn Rs 7 lakh while the runners up team will receive Rs 4 lakh. The third and fourth place holders will be awarded cash prizes of Rs 2 lakh and one lakh respectively. Four losers in the group stage will also get cash incentive of Rs 50 thousand each. Apart from that there will many other individual prizes too.

Tiwari today also disclosed the prices of the tickets of the tourment. There will be two types of tickets- Rs 100 and 200. The prices are same for both the venues and tickets will be available in advance. As per the schedule, there will be two matches on most of the day of the tourment and all the games will be held under flood light. "We have planned to organize a cultural function during iugural ceremony showcasing different aspect of North East. The iugural function will be attended by Assam chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and DoNER Minister Vijay Kumar Singh," informed Tiwari.

The media briefing was also attended by Anjan Sarma, Director, Sports and Youth Welfare Department  and Ankur Dutta, the secretary of the Assam Football Association. The preparation of Assam team are currently going on at the Saursajai stadium under the supervision of coach Raghu ndi. Dutta said that this time the players from ASEBSC and OILFC are not available for selection because of their official assignment. Host team for the meet will be announced on April 16.

Meanwhile Tiwari today said that Assam are very much interested to promote soccer and are in favour to start a new tourment which will be held in home and away  basis. A proposal in this regard already sent to Doner Ministry.  He also admitted that Assam are interested to host the next SAF Games and a details proposal, including the up gradation of current sports infrastructure, has been sent to Central Government.   

“If we get green sigl from the Central Government  on our proposal than there will be no problem to host the meet in Guwahati,” added Tiwari.