CHANDIGARH: Set to host the North Zone Santosh Trophy for the very first time, Chandigarh Football Association (CFA) president KP Singh on Saturday said witnessing the tournament at home will bring the budding players closer to the game and also boost the city's football infrastructure.
The North Zone Santosh Trophy will kick off on Sunday at the Sector 7 sports complex here. On the opening day, the hosts Chandigarh will take on Jammu & Kashmir in an afternoon game, after the Services lock horns with Himachal Pradesh in the morning session. All the matches will be played at the ground of Sports Complex Sector-7.
Expressing his confidence at CFA successfully hosting the tournament, Singh said he believes it will take Chandigarh football a level further. The president further said that the association has ensured all safety measures against the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We have kept the players in a safe environment and everyone's Covid test has also been done. This is necessary and we have also sanitized every place including the ground, the staff and officials have also undergone testing," he said during a press conference on Saturday.
Along with Singh, other officials of the association were also present during the launch of the tournament. Singh also thanked the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for considering Chandigarh as the host.
"AIFF president Praful Patel and secretary Kushal Das have entrusted this tournament to us, we will make it a success in any case. We would also like to thank the Chandigarh Administration and the sports department for providing us with excellent infrastructure. The entire team of Chandigarh Football Association has contributed to this because everyone has worked together for it. I thank everyone for this. Paras Hospital will also be with us as a health partner," he said.
Former India captain Harjinder Singh will take over as the chief coach of the Chandigarh football team. He will be assisted by senior coach Muzammil and former international footballer Sanjeev Madiya as coaches. AFC instructor Sajid has been made the technical director.
According to chief coach Harjinder, Chandigarh has till now contributed immensely to grassroot level football, producing many former and current India stars like Sandesh Jhingan, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Anirudh Thapa, and hosting the Santosh Trophy will motivate the young guns in the city.
"Till now this city has contributed significantly in junior football and now Chandigarh will contribute in senior football as well. We have worked very hard with the host Chandigarh team and will continue to strive to take Chandigarh football higher. I will be available for football whenever needed," said Harjinder.
After their opener against J&K, Chandigarh will take on Uttar Pradesh in a morning game on November 23, before taking on Himachal Pradesh, two days later in an afternoon match. Chandigarh will play their final league match against the Services on November 29.
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