7th Abhijit Kadam Memorial Football Cup starts tomorrow

The seventh edition of the Abhijit Kadam Memorial Football Cup is set to kick-off tomorrow in Pune with six teams taking part in this years edition of the tournament with the final slated for March 11. The tournament will be played at the floodlit Bharati Vidyapeeth Education Complex Ground in Dhankawdi.

For the first-time the organisers have been able to attract three I-League sides to play in the tournament - in Prayag United SC, Air India and Mumbai FC; I-League Division 2 side Sesa Football Academy and the finalists of the Abhijit Kadam Memorial Football Shield - Amanora Deccan XI (winners) and PIFA-Colaba FC (runners-up). The Shield is the local Maharashtra qualifying tournament for the Cup proper.

Speaking at the launch press conference a few days ago Managing Trustee of the AKMF Vishwajeet Kadam said, "The tournament provides an opportunity of the best two club teams in the state that emerges from the AKMF Shield to pit their skills against teams they would rarely play against."

In Group A Prayag United SC will face Air India and Amanora Deccan XI; while in Group B former champions Mumbai FC take on Sesa Football Academy and PIFA-Colaba FC. Last year Sporting Clube de Goa had won the trophy in the final against Shillong Lajong FC.

The Abhijit Kadam Memorial Football Cup is being conducted by the Abhijit Kadam Memorial Foundation under the aegis of the Pune District Football Association and the Western India Football Association with the tournament recognized by the All India Football Federation.

This year the prize money has been doubled. The champions would take home Rs 300,000 (3 lakhs), while the runners-up would get Rs 200,000 (2 lakh). There would be awards, certificates and a cash incentive of Rs 15,000 for the Best Player of the Tournament as well as the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament.