AGARTALA, May 2 (TIWN): The much awaited “OORJA 2017 CAPFs U-19 Football Talent Hunt Tournament” kicked off with a fabulous start in a colourful ceremony at the Swami Vivekananda Maidan, Agartala. The chief guest of the event, Tathagata Roy, Governor of Tripura in his speech, congratulated the BSF for organising such a grand event in Tripura state. He wished the organisers a grand success of the event stating that it was an honour to be part of this “OORJA 2017 CAPFs U-19 Football Talent Hunt Tournament”. Expressing his love and passion for football, he emphasized on need of improvement of football along with other popular games. He also expressed his deep concern over the deprived state of football in the country. Coming to the scope of football in North-Eastern states, he said that there is a great passion for the game and recently Aizawl Football club won the “I- League” Football Tournament. He also reiterated the objective of the event to see football proliferating in every nook and corner of the country and lauded that this tournament is surely going to motivate the youth to play and carry the love for the game to greater heights. Emphasizing the initiatives taken by the Government of India, he deliberated on “Mission XI Million” and improvement in sports infrastructure. He motivated and inspired the young team members to keep up the efforts and wished them good luck in future. He also appreciated BSF for organising such a huge talent hunt tournament in State and declared the “Oorja-2017” tournament formally open.

Earlier at the event IG BSF Tripura Shri U C Sarangi welcomed the chief guest, all the participants and guests. Joint bands of BSF and TSR played the National Anthem. All the teams marched and presented its salute to the Hon’ble Governor. On the request of IG BSF, the Hon’ble Governor felicitated eminent footballers of Tripura state including Miss Gulti Chaudhuri, Miss Bakul Kumari Debbarma, Miss Ruma Debbarma, Miss Laxmita Reang, Shri Ranjit Das and Shri Bimal Kumar Roy Chaudhuri. After formal introduction with all the team managers, the team members of both the teams of the opening match and referees, the chief guest kicked off the football and the first league match of the tournament between Tripura Sports School, Badharghat and Bodhjung Higher Secondary School was played. The first match in Boys category of Pool ‘A’ ended in a goalless draw.

On 2^nd May, 2017 in the Boys category the first match was played between Borok Football Academy Killa and Young Darlong Football Association, Kumarghat of Pool ‘B’ at Swami Vivekananda Maidan, Agartala. This match was also a tie like the inaugural match with no goal scored by either side. The second match was played between Higher Secondary School, Mungiabari and Jampuijala Play Centre, Sipahijala of Pool ‘A’ at Swami Vivekananda Maidan, Agartala. The match was a tie with a score 0-0. In the Girls category, first match was played between Jampuijala Play Centre and Tripura Sports School, Badharghat of Pool ‘A’ at Assam Rifles Ground, Agartala. Tripura Sports School, Badharghat defeated Jampuijala Play Centre by a huge margin of 8-0. The second match was played between Radhamohanpur High School, Jirania and Borok Football Academy Killa of Pool ‘A’ at Assam Rifles Ground, Agartala. The match finished with a score 0-0.

On 3^rd May, 2017 total four matches will be played, two each in boys and girls category. In Boys category, first match will start at 7:00 AM, between Bishramganj Play Centre and Assam Rifles Public School of Pool ‘B’ and the second match will start at 3:30 PM, between Tripura Sports School, Badharghat and Higher Secondary School, Mungiabari of Pool ‘A’ at Swami Vivekananda Maidan, Agartala. In Girls category, first match will start at 7:00 AM, between Bishramganj Play Centre and Tripura Sports School, Panisagar of Pool ‘A’ and the second match will start at 3:30 PM, between Higher Secondary School, Mungiabari and Taibandal Play Centre, Sonamura of Pool ‘B’ at Assam Rifles Ground, Agartala.