The inaugural match of the 14th ‘All India Brigade of Gurkha Gold Cup’ football tournament that kicked off today at the Gorkha Stadium, Lebong saw Aryan Club of Kolkata easily overcoming the challenge posed by Kalighat Milan Sangh to win 2-1.
The tournament that resumed in 2010 after a 25-year gap is a crowd puller and the brainchild of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. The GTA youth and affairs department and the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Sport's Association (DGHSA) have been jointly organising the extravaganza.
The tournament could not be held last year due to the statehood agitation and was shifted to the current year and will continue till March 9.
Darjeeling MLA Trilok Dewan flagged-off the tournament in the presence of GTA deputy chief executive Col (Retd) Ramesh Allay and a sea of spectators amidst loud cheers.
"I wish all the participating teams well and urge them to play in the spirit of the game. The GTA hopes more teams will participate in future editions of the tournament," said Dewan as he announced the 10-day event open.
The second game played between home team GTA XI and Southern Samity from Kolkata saw the latter winning by a solitary goal during a riveting extra time.
Twelve teams including the home side are participating in this year's tournament and the prize money has been increased to Rs3 lakh and Rs2 lakh for the runners-up along with trophies.
The ongoing tournament is an effort to make up for last year's gap and the 15th edition of the Gold Cup will also be held this year, around September-October, informed the organisers.(EOIC)
The tournament that resumed in 2010 after a 25-year gap is a crowd puller and the brainchild of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. The GTA youth and affairs department and the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Sport's Association (DGHSA) have been jointly organising the extravaganza.
The tournament could not be held last year due to the statehood agitation and was shifted to the current year and will continue till March 9.
Darjeeling MLA Trilok Dewan flagged-off the tournament in the presence of GTA deputy chief executive Col (Retd) Ramesh Allay and a sea of spectators amidst loud cheers.
"I wish all the participating teams well and urge them to play in the spirit of the game. The GTA hopes more teams will participate in future editions of the tournament," said Dewan as he announced the 10-day event open.
The second game played between home team GTA XI and Southern Samity from Kolkata saw the latter winning by a solitary goal during a riveting extra time.
Twelve teams including the home side are participating in this year's tournament and the prize money has been increased to Rs3 lakh and Rs2 lakh for the runners-up along with trophies.
The ongoing tournament is an effort to make up for last year's gap and the 15th edition of the Gold Cup will also be held this year, around September-October, informed the organisers.(EOIC)