Assam: 70th Bharat Ratna Gopinath Bordoloi Trophy Kicks Off Across State

GUWAHATI: The 70th edition of the Bharat Ratna Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi Trophy, organized by the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare Assam, the Guwahati Sports Association, and all district sports associations of Assam, commenced on Wednesday at various venues across the state.

As per the schedule, local organizing committees under the respective district sports associations hosted the matches and inaugural ceremonies. The tournament's first stage features the top eight club teams from each district, bringing together 280 clubs. A total of 525 matches will be played in this round, following a league-cum-knockout format, with district champions advancing to the Cluster Round. The district winners will also receive prize money of Rs. 75,000.

In Kamrup Metropolitan District, the opening ceremony took place at the SAI Ground, New Field, Guwahati. D.K. Mittal, Executive Director of the SAI Regional Centre, Guwahati, attended as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries included Kausar Jamil Hilaly, Secretary of Sports and Youth Welfare, Government of Assam, as the Special Guest, along with Shamboo Yadav, Assistant Director and COO of SAI, Pradip Timung, Director of Sports and Youth Welfare, Assam, and Bolin Bordoloi as Guests of Honour.

The guests expressed their gratitude to Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma for approving the tournament's new format in an effort to restore its past glory.

In the first match of the tournament, Assam Police secured a 2-0 victory over FC Green Valley. Pulak Baruah (Jersey No. 9) opened the scoring in the 2nd minute, while Ustav Madahi (Jersey No. 26) doubled the lead in the 41st minute, sealing the win.

The tournament promises thrilling football action as clubs from across Assam compete for the prestigious title.

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