41st Shahid Trophy kicks off in Assam's Boko with eight teams competing

The 41st Shahid Trophy Football Tournament began on Thursday at Bondapara in Boko, Assam, with eight teams from Assam and Meghalaya vying for the title. The week-long event, organised by Bondapara Janata Sangha in association with the Puranmal Jain Foundation, is held in memory of the martyrs of the Assam Movement.

 

This year’s line-up includes Eleven Star FC Bongaigaon, Chaygaon FC, Masa FC Mukalmuwa, N.F. Railway Guwahati, Bardwi Shikila FC Kokrajhar, Chanmari FC Tura, Seven United Sports Mairang and Spaki West FC Nongstoin.

 

The opening match saw Chanmari FC, Tura face Eleven Star FC, Bongaigaon, with hundreds of fans turning up despite rain. “Tournaments like this provide encouragement and help transform the area into a football hub by offering training to everyone, from young children to adults,” said Tankeswar Rabha, Chief Executive Member of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council, who attended the inauguration.

 

Organisers say the tournament is designed to inspire the younger generation in Boko to take up football seriously. Munindra Daimary, President of the organising committee, noted its impact on player development: “Many players from the Bandapara region have already competed at national and international levels, and we are confident they will continue to get such opportunities in the future.”

 

Rabha also assured support for improving facilities at the Bondapara playground, promising completion of pending infrastructure work.

 

The tournament will run until August 28.