Football

Ten years ago, Gani Ahammed Nigam and Malappuram's MSP HSS came tantalizingly close to pulling off a major upset in the Subroto Cup international junior football tournament. With Gani scoring a goal late in the first half, MSP led 2-0 and nearly shocked Brazil's Colegio Estadul Santo Antonio (St. Antony's School) in the under-17 final. However, the Brazilian side managed to snatch victory with a last-gasp goal that leveled the score 2-2 and forced the match into a tie-breaker."The Subroto Cup final was a pivotal moment in my life," said Gani, the Calicut FC forward, in a recent interview. "I scored seven goals in that tournament, and it made me realize that I wanted to pursue football as a career."Now 26 years old, Gani is eager for more such turning points in his life. With three goals in as many matches in the ongoing Super League Kerala (SLK), he is in fine form and believes that continued success here will help him return to the Indian Super League (ISL) soon."I feel like I'm getting my goal-scoring touch back," said Gani, who has played for several ISL teams, primarily as a winger. "If I get a good offer in the ISL's January transfer window, I will definitely consider it."Gani's football journey began at the age of nine at the Kadathanad Raja FA academy near his home. After five years there, he moved to MSP School, where he honed his skills and developed into a formidable player. Like many players from the Malappuram area, he has also played extensively in sevens football."I played my first sevens match with seniors at 17," explained Gani. "You learn to make quick decisions and improve your decision-making skills because the ground is so small."However, Gani expressed concern about the current state of sevens football in the region. "It's become very rough and violent," he said. "There's a lot of kicking, elbowing, and fighting. It's scary, and you could get injured. I think it's changed a lot in the last couple of years, but I don't understand why because fans enjoy good, clean football."Despite the challenges, Gani remains optimistic about his future in football. He is determined to continue scoring goals and helping his team achieve success. With his talent and dedication, he is confident that he can reach even greater heights in the years to come.

Myngken Christian Higher Secondary School from Meghalaya pulled off a stunning upset in the 63rd Subroto Cup junior boys football tournament, defeating defending champion Government Model Senior Secondary School from Chandigarh in a thrilling group-F league match.The match, played at the Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, saw Myngken Christian emerge victorious with a narrow 1-0 scoreline. The lone goal of the match was scored by Banganson, who found the back of the net in the second half.The victory was a major upset, as Government Model Senior Secondary School had been the reigning champion of the tournament. However, Myngken Christian played with determination and resilience, frustrating their opponents throughout the match.The match was a closely contested affair, with both teams creating chances to score. However, it was Myngken Christian who took the lead in the second half, when Banganson capitalized on a defensive error to score the winning goal.Government Model Senior Secondary School fought back valiantly in the remaining minutes, but they were unable to find an equalizer. Myngken Christian held on for a famous victory, sending shockwaves through the tournament.The win was a major boost for Myngken Christian, who are now in contention for a place in the knockout stages. Government Model Senior Secondary School, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find their form if they want to defend their title.

Subroto Cup: Three Teams Disqualified for Fielding Overage PlayersThe 63rd Subroto Cup sub-junior boys international football tournament has witnessed the disqualification of three teams for fielding overage players. Nazareth Model High School (Assam), Nehru Public School (Bihar), and Ultou Government Model High School (Manipur) have been removed from the competition.The disqualification was announced by the Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society, which operates under the Air Force Sports Control Board. An official release stated that the teams were found to have fielded more than four players above the age limit.A Skeletal Age Estimation Test was conducted in accordance with tournament regulations and All India Football Federation (AIFF) criteria. The results of matches played by the disqualified teams on Day 1 have been declared null and void.Reports on three other teams from Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra are pending and will be received on Tuesday. A decision on their status will be made based on those results.In the previous edition of the Subroto Cup, 16 teams were disqualified for fielding overage players. This issue has been a persistent problem in youth football tournaments, raising concerns about the integrity of the competition and the well-being of young athletes.The Subroto Cup is one of the most prestigious youth football tournaments in India, attracting teams from across the country and abroad. The tournament aims to promote football at the grassroots level and provide a platform for young players to showcase their skills.The disqualification of teams for fielding overage players highlights the importance of age verification and adherence to tournament regulations. It also serves as a reminder that the integrity of youth sports must be maintained to ensure fair play and the development of young athletes.