- 107 teams, 215-plus matches and three age categories to turn school football into a launchpad for future stars
- International flavour as Sri Lanka joins young Indian footballers in the prestigious tournament
- Junior Girls kick off New Delhi NCR phase on August 18; Bengaluru hosts U-15 boys from September 1
- Air Marshal S. Sivakumar VSM: “Committed to making the tournament bigger and better every year”
- Ashalata Devi joins Air Force leadership as Guest of Honour as trophy and jerseys are unveiled in New Delhi
NE SPORTS BUREAU
NEW DELHI, AUG 12
The next generation of Indian footballers is ready to step onto a stage where dreams can acquire a jersey, a team can acquire a legacy—and a schoolboy or schoolgirl can take the first decisive stride towards a sporting career. The 65th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament will kick off on August 18, bringing together 107 teams from across India and Sri Lanka in one of the country’s most enduring grassroots football showcases.
Hosted across New Delhi NCR and Bengaluru from August 18 to September 24, the tournament will feature more than 215 matches in the Junior Girls (U-17), Sub-Junior Boys (U-15) and Junior Boys (U-17) categories.
The 65th edition was formally unveiled in New Delhi on Wednesday in the presence of Air Marshal S. Sivakumar VSM, Air Officer-in-Charge Administration and Vice Chairman, Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society (SMSES), who was the Chief Guest, and celebrated Indian footballer Ashalata Devi Loitongbam, Guest of Honour.
The tournament’s continuing grassroots relevance is also reflected in the fact that regional and school-level qualifying competitions have already been under way across the country, feeding the national-stage competition with emerging talent.
Three categories, one big dream
The football odyssey begins on August 18 in New Delhi NCR, with the Junior Girls (U-17) competition running until August 27.
The spotlight then shifts to Bengaluru from September 1 to 9 for the Sub-Junior Boys (U-15), before New Delhi NCR hosts the concluding Junior Boys (U-17) phase from September 15 to 24.
The schedule is:
- Junior Girls (U-17): August 18–27
- Sub-Junior Boys (U-15): September 1–9
- Junior Boys (U-17): September 15–24
- Opening Ceremony: August 18
- Junior Girls Final: August 27
- Sub-Junior Boys Final: September 9
- Junior Boys Final & Closing Ceremony: September 24
The scale is substantial, with teams representing Indian States, Union Territories and educational bodies, besides international participation from Sri Lanka.
Air Force’s football legacy gets a fresh kick
Addressing the gathering, Air Marshal S. Sivakumar VSM said: “The Indian Air Force and SMSES are committed to making the tournament bigger and better every year, providing a platform for young athletes to take the next step in their careers.”
He congratulated all qualifying teams, wished the young competitors success and urged them to play in the true spirit of sportsmanship.
The tournament will be staged at major football venues in the two host regions. In New Delhi NCR, these include Ambedkar Stadium, Tejas Football Ground, Subroto Park Football Ground, Pinto Park Football Ground and Rajokri Football Ground.
In Bengaluru, matches will be held at Air Force School, Jalahalli; Air Force School, Yelahanka; and Subroto Football Ground, Jalahalli.
Fair play takes centre stage
Competition will not merely be about goals and trophies. In the U-15 boys’ category in Bengaluru, age-determination testing will be conducted to safeguard the integrity of the competition and ensure that young footballers compete on a level playing field.
That emphasis on fair play is particularly significant in school football, where the Subroto Cup has long served as a proving ground for young talent.
The tournament’s roots stretch back to 1960, when it was established in memory of Air Marshal Subroto Mukerjee, India’s first Chief of Air Staff, with the objective of promoting football at the grassroots level.
Champions return, challengers arrive
The defending champions from the 64th edition in 2025 will enter the new campaign with the pressure of expectation.
Junior Boys: Farook Higher Secondary School, Kerala
Junior Girls: Betkuchi High School, Guwahati, Assam
Sub-Junior Boys: Minerva Public School (CISCE)
For the new crop of contenders, however, the mission is clear: dethrone the champions and write their own chapter in Subroto Cup history.
With 107 teams, 215-plus matches and three fiercely contested age categories, the 65th edition promises to be much more than a school football tournament. It is a nationwide talent pipeline—where raw ability meets competition, discipline meets ambition and young players get an opportunity to show that India’s football future may already be taking shape on school grounds.
