For the 14th year running, India’s longest and largest community football tournament, the QPR South Mumbai Junior Soccer Challenger, has begun.
Founded and managed by Saran Sports and delivered in association with QPR and the Bhatia Family Foundation, the tournament kicked off at the Western Railway grounds in Lower Parel, Mumbai.
The event also serves as an opportunity for 50 talented youngsters to be shortlisted for a coaching clinic from which four children (two boys and two girls) will be selected to train at QPR’s academy in Heston for a two-week programme in 2024.
This year, the tournament will see approximately 6,000 children from over 100 schools participate. The boys’ and girls’ teams are in the Under-8, U-10, U-12, U-14 and U-16 categories.
The Challenger is open to all South Mumbai schools including Government-aided and Municipal schools which comprise approximately 75% of the participants. The tournament provides an equal and fair opportunity to kids from different backgrounds to showcase their talent and skills on a common platform.
Speaking about the event, Milind Deora (ex-Member of Parliament and Union Minister) said: “Football is a growing passion among today’s youth. By organising such events, I hope to provide a platform for the youth to exhibit their football skills.”
“I hope to provide football enthusiasts with the necessary infrastructure and help the coaches identify talent. I am sure that with a cohesive effort, we will be able to popularise and develop the sport in India.”
CEO of QPR in the Community Trust, Andy Evans added, “It’s been an honour to have played a role in staging the South Mumbai Junior Soccer Challenger for the past 14 years and seen the vital role it has played in bringing football to the children of South Mumbai.”
“Throughout the last 14 years, Amit Bhatia has been a constant supporter of the Junior Soccer Challenger, enabling so many children access to our great game – for some, it may have been the only chance of playing in such competitive environments.”
“Congratulations to all the participants and here’s to another fantastic South Mumbai Junior Soccer Challenger.”