Bodoland CEM Cup Football tournament a new milestone to explore rural talents

CORRESPONDENT,

KOKRAJHAR: The government of BTR with a vision to furthering the activities of football to explore the budding talents of rural areas of the region, has decided to organize the BTC CEM Cup Football tournament from June 15.

The Bodoland Chief Executive Member’s (CEM) Cup Football Tournament is an initiative by the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) with a commitment to leveraging sports as a vehicle for social transformation, designed to foster unity, promote peace, and nurture football talent across the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) with the tournament organizing at multiple administrative levels-including Village Council Development Committees (VCDCs), BTCLA constituencies, districts, and the council level-ensuring widespread participation and accessibility, allowing communities from the most remote villages to engage in organized sports and bringing together football clubs from across the region, providing a platform for athletes to showcase their talents and for communities to engage in a shared cultural experience.

The key objectives of the CEM Cup Football Tournament are building peace and social cohesion, youth engagement and talent development, promotion of healthy lifestyle and community engagement and cultural integration.

 Remarking on the new initiative, the CEM of BTC Pramod Boro said the region had experienced of unrest in the past and to divert the bitter experience of hatred and misunderstanding, the Bodoland CEM’s Cup aims to promote peace and unity through the universal language of sports football which serves as a unifying force, bringing together diverse communities and fostering a sense of collective identity. He said the tournament will provide a structured pathway for young athletes to showcase their skills, gain competitive experience, and aspire to higher levels of play. By organizing matches from the VCDC level upwards, the BTC ensures that talent from even the most remote areas is identified and nurtured. This

initiative complements other efforts, such as the establishment of football academies and the participation of Bodoland FC in national tournaments Iike the Durand Cup, he said adding that by involving local communities in the organization and execution of the tournament, the Bodoland

CEM Cup fosters a sense of ownership and pride among residents. He also said the event will serve as a cultural festival, celebrating the region’s diversity and promoting mutual respect among different communities and this communal participation will strengthen the social bonds and enhances the cultural fabric of the BTR besides promoting of healthy lifestyles.

He further said encouraging participation in sports will  promote physical fitness and mental well-being among the youths and the Bodoland CEM Cup will serve as a platform to instill the values of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, contributing to the holistic development of individuals and communities.

The EM of Sports and Youth Welfare,  Daobaisa Boro while talking to media persons at BTC Secretariat on Monday said the Bodoland CEM Cup Football Tournament will begin from June 15 in the VCDC levels across 420 VCDCs of BTC after which it would be held in Constituency level, District level and Council level. He said the prizes of champion and runners up trophy in VCDC level will carry Rs. 7,000 and Rs. 5,000, the constituency level will carry Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 7,000 while District level champion team will get Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 15,000 respectively. The champion and runners up team in the Council level will get Rs. 1,50,000 and Rs. 1,00000 along with cash prize of Rs. 10,000 each to best player and best goal keeper respectively. He also said the registration for the Cup tournament had began.

Also Read: Maharaj Praises Bavuma and Conrad Ahead of WTC Final

Also Watch: