GUWAHATI, Aug 31 � The 59th edition of the Bharat Ratna Lokapriya Bordoloi Trophy Football Tournament will be a 12-team league-cum-knock out event. Two foreign teams � Abahani Krira Chakra from Dhaka and Three Star Club of Nepal have already confirmed their participation, said Guwahati Sports Association general secretary Munin Nobis in a press conference here today.
Explaining the format of the championship which begins on September 2, Nobis said eight teams will play in the pre-quarterfinal knock-out stage and one team from each cluster will qualify for the quarterfinal league. FCI, NF Rly, Assam Police Blues, Sunrise are placed in Cluster I, while teams like OIL, Nagaland Police, Assam Regimental Centre and Morning Star Club of Diphu are in Cluster II.
Defending champions ASEB Sports Club, Shillong Lajong, Abahani Krira Chakra and Three Star are through to the quarterfinal stage directly. Six teams will be divided into two groups and two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals. The date of the final is yet to be finalized.
Nobis hoped the both the foreign teams will be studded with best players of their respective countries so that spectators can enjoy quality matches in the later stages. The organizers are planning to organize all the quarterfinal matches under lights.
The GSA has prepared a budget of Rs 48 lakh for the championship out of which they have to spend around Rs 21 lakh for both the foreign teams.
This time, the organizers have contacted organizations like OIL, ONGC, NRL, BHEL, McDowell, etc., for financial assistance. The winning team will get Rs 1 lakh, while a purse of Rs 50,000 is ready for the runners-up team.
The All India Football Federation has deputed FIFA referee A Rowan and assistant FIFA referees CR Srikrishna and Rathesh Kumar to officiate in the matches.
GSA treasurer Chaya Ram Boro revealed that the rates of tickets will range from Rs 10 to 50.
Former Santosh Trophy and Gauati Town Club player Biren Singh will inaugurate the tournament on Thursday and two matches are scheduled for the opening day. FCI will play against Sunrise, while NF Rly will take on AP Blues.
GSA football secretary Bhola Boro, other officials like Ibocha Singh, Nabab Ali and Ehtasamuddin Ahmed were also present in the press conference.
