65th Subroto Cup Kicks Off in New Delhi, Meghalaya Defeat Chandigarh
New Delhi, August 19: The 65th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament commenced with great enthusiasm at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi on August 18, 2026. On the opening day, an exciting match was played in the Junior Girls Under-17 category, with Meghalaya defeating Chandigarh to make a winning start to their campaign.
Air Marshal S. Shivakumar, Air Officer-in-Charge Administration and Vice President of the Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society, attended the inaugural ceremony as the Chief Guest. Lovepreet Singh, star player of the Indian Men's National Weightlifting Team, was present as the Guest of Honour.
The opening ceremony featured a series of vibrant performances that added colour and excitement to the event. The Air Warriors Drill Team delivered an impressive performance, while students of the Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute presented a colourful cultural programme.
Addressing the gathering, Air Marshal S. Shivakumar said that the 65th Subroto Cup is a testament to the enduring spirit of football in India. He expressed confidence that the tournament would not only showcase the skills and talent of young footballers but also inspire many more youngsters to take up the sport. He congratulated all the teams that qualified for the tournament and wished them success, urging the players to compete with true sporting spirit.
A total of 108 teams are participating in the tournament across three categories—Junior Girls Under-17, Junior Boys Under-17 and Sub-Junior Boys Under-15. Each category has been divided into eight groups. The winners of each group will advance to the knockout stage, followed by the semi-finals and final matches to determine the champions.
The Subroto Cup has long served as an important platform for promoting grassroots football in India and identifying emerging young talent. The tournament provides young players with an opportunity to compete at a high level, develop their skills and aspire to achieve greater success in the sport.
The 65th edition of the Subroto Cup once again underlines the commitment to strengthening grassroots football and providing young players with opportunities to showcase their talent. The tournament is expected to play an important role in encouraging the next generation of footballers to pursue their sporting ambitions.
