Port Blair, Dec 26: The Prestigious 58th SGFI National Football Championship for the boys under 19 began today at Netaji Stadium. The Students of the different schools presented spectacular cultural Programmes, which mesmerized everyone. The participating teams presented impressive March past.
In his address the Chief Guest Secretary Education Mr. D.N Singh said that the mega tournament extends opportunity to the players of different states and UTs to share a common platform and thus the bond of National Integration gets strengthened. The Special Guest on this occasion the Member of Parliament Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray expressing his happiness said that it’s matter of pride for the Islanders that the National Championship is being hosted by the Islands for the sixth time. He wished the visiting teams a memorable stay here.
Earlier welcoming the guest the Chairman of the Organising Committee and the Director Education Dr. R Dev Das said that the best players from the Championship will be selected, who will be representing India in the forthcoming World School Soccer Championship to be held in France next Year. He informed that apart from the Netaji Stadium, this time the matches will be held in the newly developed Play field at the JNRM campus also. The guests released the Souvenir of the Tournament.
In the inaugural Match the team of Andaman & Nicobar Islands defeated the team of Uttrakhand by 3-1 in an exciting encounter. Both the teams looked equal in the beginning and the first half of the game went goalless. In the second half Shahrukh Ehmed of the visiting team scored a superb goal and put his team ahead. The local boys then came back strongly and succeeded in scoring 3 goals. The Football loving people got the opportunity to witness high class football. For the winners Captain Russel scored one goal and Dinesh scored two.
Tomorrow six matches are scheduled to be held at both venues. This time 25 teams are participating in the National Football Championship.
