7th QPR - South Mumbai Junior Soccer Challenger 2015: Over 6000 children to participate in the seventh edition
The competition, which has gained popularity and growth in the past six years, is an initiative of former Union Minister Milind Deora.
Conceived and managed by Saran Sports, the event which is also India’s largest and longest running community football tournament, is backed by Aditya Birla Group and Essar Group. The competition is also partnered by Axis Bank (Banking Partner), Britannia and Tang.
With an aim to provide an equal and fair opportunity to kids from diverse backgrounds to showcase their talent and skills on a common platform, the Junior Soccer Challenger involves Private schools, Government aided and Municipal schools from South Mumbai.
The seventh edition of the Junior Soccer Challenger will see participation from over 6000 children in the Boys and the Girls’ section. A total of 130-odd schools who are participating will be represented by over 700 teams in five age groups – Under-8, 10, 12, 14, 16 – and will play more than 900 matches over three weekends till December.
The tournament will also serve as a talent hunt to shortlist 50 players for a Coaching Clinic which will be conducted exclusively by the Queens Park Rangers (QPR) Youth Academy coaches in Mumbai during December.
Speaking about the championship, Milind Deora (Ex Member of Parliament & Ex Union Minister) said: “Football is a growing passion amongst today’s youth. By organising such championships I hope to provide a platform for the youth to exhibit their football skills. I hope to provide football enthusiasts with the necessary infrastructure and help the coaches identify talent. I am sure that with a cohesive effort, we will be able to popularize and develop the sport in India.”
QPR’s head of community program, Andy Evans said: “We have been associated with the South Mumbai Junior Soccer championship since its inception in 2009. The participants have been increasing and we have witnessed some astounding talent. Even though this championship aims at bringing only the South Mumbai community together, I am sure we can contribute to developing the young Indian talent that is clearly evident here in South Mumbai.
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