PANJIM: The Goa Football Association (GFA) is all set to host the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Junior Girl’s National Football Championship which will kick off from August 20 and end on 31, at Duler Stadium and Benaulim ground.
“We are proud to host the games in Goa and we hope this to be a turning point to see women’s football blossom and manage to attract more girls towards the beautiful game” GFA President Elvis Gomes said.
Altogether 24 States are participating in the tournament which will be played in league cum knock out basis.
Goa are placed along with Jharkhand and Chandigarh in group F. Others teams include: Group A: Maharashtra, Punjab, Bihar; Group B: Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Sikkim; Group C: Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh; Group D: Manipur, Chattisgarh, Uttarakhand; Group E: West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Pondicherry; Group G: Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh; Group H: Mizoram, Delhi, Rajasthan.
“This is a great moment for the State to host these games which will give an opportunity for budding footballers to set national football and help them motivate too. We wish all the teams good luck and hope this tournament will be a successful one,” said GFA General Secretary Welvin Menezes.
Tamil Nadu open the tournament as they take on Madhya Pradesh in the first match at Duler Stadium, Mapusa at 8.30 a.m. while Himachal Pradesh will simultaneously clash with Sikkim at Holy Trinity Stadium, Benaulim.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra will clash with Bihar at Holy Trinity Benaulim, at 4 p.m. as Tamil Nadu play Madhya Pradesh at Duler at same time.
Host Goa will open their campaign against Jharkhand on August 21 at Holy Trinity ground, at 4 p.m.
