The 68th Bharat Ratna Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Trophy football tournament, one of the oldest and most popular football championships in eastern India, will be held in Guwahati and three other venues in Assam from March 24.
The organisers, Guwahati Sports Association (GSA), said that altogether 16 teams including the NorthEast United FC, Shillong Lajong and Delhi FC will be participating in the tournament.
Guwahati will host Group A matches while Group B matches will be held at Korora in Baihata Chariali. Group C matches will be played at Ghilakuri in Sipajhar while Taikajhora in Chirang will host the Group D matches. The matches in Guwahati will be played at the Judges’ Field in Guwahati.
One team from each group will qualify for the semifinals. Both the semifinals will be played on April 1 at the Nehru Stadium and at the Judges’ Field.
The final will be played at the Judges’ Field. All the matches will start at 3 pm.
On March 24, two matches will be played – ITBP will face Gauhati Town Club at the Judges’ Field while in the other match Daimali Club of Udalguri will play against Assam Rifles, Shillong at Korora.
The other teams to be participating in the tournament are – ASEB SC, India Club (Silchar), Assam Police Blues, CISF, Oil India FC, Bodousa FC, Nagaland Police, United Chirang Duar FC and Assam Regimental Centre.
The organisers said that the winners will get Rs 2 lakh while the runners up will get richer by Rs 1 lakh. Spectators will have to buy tickets at some venues while matches in Guwahati will be free for all.
