Gate sale was enough to meet the expenditure: Premadhar Sharma

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: In a conversation with The Sentinel veteran key sports organizer Premadhar Sharma shared the story of early days of the Bordoloi Trophy. Here is the excerpt.

The Sentinel (TS): Share us the early day's story of Bordoloi Trophy.

Sharma: I was perhaps in my teens when the championship started at the Judges' Field in Guwahati. Actually that time Nagaon and Guwahati had healthy rivalry in the field of sports. Perhaps introduction of Independence Day Cup at Nagaon gave an idea to the local organizers to start a similar sort of football Championship in Guwahati.

(TS): How was the atmosphere at that period?

Sharma: The atmosphere was fantastic. In those days Judges' Field was an open ground and only the office building of Gauhati Town Club was there. Crowds, thronged in good numbers, sat outside the field to witness the games. During the early days of the meet Gauhati Town Club, Maharana Athletic Club and Sporting Union were the three clubs in the city who were arch rivals. Always good contests were witnessed when two of these three clubs faced each other in the tournament.

(TS): How was the fund managed?

Sharma: During the initial stage perhaps some donation was collected to meet the early expenditure. But once the competition started there was no problem related to funds. Gate sale was huge. Prices of tickets in those days were 2 anas, 4 anas… and honestly speaking handsome amount had come from the gate sale which was enough to meet the expenditure of the tournament.

(TS): One time the officials of the GSA had to hide themselves from ticket seekers…

Sharma: Yes. It's true. I myself had to face such incidents on several occasions when I was the official of GSA. There was time when all the tickets were sold out well before the final game and ticket seekers frequently visited GSA office for complementary passes. There were several occasions when we had to go underground and returned on the match day when there was enough security.

(TS): All we know Bordoloi Trophy was once the most glamorous tournament of the country. How was it able to scale such a height?

Sharma: I feel the sports organizers of those days were highly dedicated. I won't say there is no dedicated sports organizer now. But the number of them was more during our days. We know the contribution of RG Baruah, Pulin Das…but there were several others who were equally dedicated. A simple message, even that too via a third person, was enough to bring them into the ground and they managed everything- from guests to crowed, players accommodation, food etc.

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