CRADLE Football Club’s B team stunned Indian Friends Football Club (IFFC) Chankapur by two goals to nil to clinch the Slum Soccer organised Jhund Under-14 Football Tournament. The tournament was held at Krida Vikas Sanstha’s Slum Soccer Academy, Bokhara. The tournament witnessed 12 teams enthusiastically taking part. Professor Vijay Barse, Founder, Slum Soccer – Krida Vikas Sanstha inaugurated the tournament. The 12 teams were divided into three groups. Group A included Noble Sports Academy, Ansari Football Club and Kick Soccer, Zingabai Takli. Group B had YFC, Hingna, Kick Soccer Avengers and Cradle FC B while Group C consisted of Kick Soccer Koradi, Cradle FC A and IFFC Chankapur. Each team played two matches and the topper from each group qualified for the semi-finals. In the semi-finals, Cradle FC B defeated Ansari FC 2 1 while IFFC Chankapur blanked Kick Soccer Koradi 2-0. The 7 a-sided football tournament was played with great fanfare which helped children overcome trauma and loneliness caused by the lockdown due to COVID-19.

 

The main objective of the tournament was to provide the players from underprivileged section an opportunity to come together and play football competitively. Commenting on the U-14 Jhund tournament, Prof Vijay Barse said, “Slum Soccer is proud to host this football tournament. The tournament helped 120 participants come together play football after being confined to their homes for months. I hope they all have enjoyed the tournament and will continue to participate in such tournament in future.” The winners Cradle FC B received a glittering trophy.