THE Nagpur District Football Association (NDFA) organised JSW NDFA Championship Elite Division Super League will begin at Dr Ambedkar Stadium in Suyog Nagar on October 19. “It will be an all play all format in the league stage. From this, the top four teams will qualify for the Super League and the two bottom teams will play the relegation final,” stated Haresh Vora, President, NDFA, while addressing a press conference. The matches will start by 1500 hrs, he said. Also, all regulations of NDFA and AIFF will be applied in the league.

 

“The participating teams in the Elite Division are — Young Muslim FC, MOIL XI FC, Rahul Sankrutyayan FC, Nagpur Blues FC, Qidwai FC, SECR Headquarters, Ansar FC, IFFC Chankapur, newly promoted Fateh FC, and defending champions Rabbani FC. In opening match of the event, MOIL XI will take on Qidwai,” informed NDFA Secretary Iqbal Kashmiri. Rajesh Jain, Vice-resident and Plant Head of JSW Kalmeshwar, informed the press about prizes of the championship. “Though the steel industry is going through a rough patch, we have maintained the same prize money this year too. Rs 1,25,000 for the winner team, runner-up team Rs 75,000, Rs 25,000 for Player of the Tournament who will also win the OP Jindal trophy. Rs 15,000 for man of the match and Rs 7,500 for best player of the runner-up team. Best goalkeeper and defender will be awarded Rs 7,500 each and coaches of winning team and runner-up team will be given Rs 5,000 each. Any additional prize money will be declared later,” said Jain adding, “If we convert India’s medal winning percentage at Paris Olympics, JSW athletes account for over 60 per cent of it.” Salim Baig, Atmaram Pande, Kamil Ansari, Abid Khan, Dr Stanley Gregory, Mohammad Mubin and JSW’s Rinku Chaudhary were present at the conference.