Assam reviving the Bordoloi Trophy Football Tournament

The popular Bordoloi Cup Football Tournament has been one of the most awaited events of the year for all sports lovers in Assam. Recently, it completed its 56th edition at Guwahati bespeaking the Assameses fascination for football.

By Peter Alex Todd

Guwahati, Dec.23 : The popular Bordoloi Cup Football Tournament has been one of the most awaited events of the year for all sports lovers in Assam. Recently, it completed its 56th edition at Guwahati bespeaking the Assamese's fascination for football.

Football lovers' joy was doubled up this time with the participation of two foreign teams who claimed to have enjoyed their participation in the oldest and most popular football tournaments held Assam.

Named after the first chief minister of Assam, Gopinath Bordoloi (1890-1950), in the early 70s and 80s, the Bordoloi football tournament has been enormously popular in the north-east and the rest of the country.

Marred by militant activities in the State, the tournament's popularity had been severely affected in the past. But with the successful organisation of the 56th edition of the tournament, an attempt has been made to revive its lost glory.

Many sports lovers here contend that it is the lack of basic infrastructure for football and over popularity of cricket in the country which are believed to have affected the football's popularity. Besides, militancy has driven away the original enthusiasm from such sporting events.

But with the passage of time people here are asserting themselves and returning with a new zeal for sheer love for football.

Pulak Goswami, the owner of Green Valley Club, said: "Lack of sponsorship is a major impediment. In cricket, there is plenty of money so everybody wants to play that game. But for football, there are hardly any sponsors and the decline in interest is its result."

But there are others who believe despite all ifs and buts attached to the fate of football events, the football as a game is growing in the hearts of people.

Jatin Bora, the President of Guwahati sports Association, said: "But football still is the most popular game in Assam. You can go to villages or small towns; football is the most popular game. They don't play cricket but for football one can always find jam-packed stadia."

One indication of the changing times and the mood in Assam are the floodlight matches.

After many years some matches were played at night to enable sports lovers watch them after work.

The visiting teams from Thailand and Bangladesh liked the arrangements and appreciated the sporting talent in the north-east that has produced some of the most fantabulous icons in the game's history, like T Ao.

Tournament's final match was played between Thailand Club and the ONGC team.

Chamnong Arayameth, Manager of Thailand Club, said: "Several teams from India play to the highest standards. But today, I think we are lucky, that we have come here. In the first half, the ONGC team had a few misses, but still it has very good players."

But the winning trophy was lifted by Thailand club.

Meanwhile, the huge audience at the stadium in the night showcased how much peace and togetherness is valuable to Assamese here.

Militants also understood the heartbeat of common people who actually want to enjoy life and have fun.

ANI