Yesterday’s vibrant inauguration ceremony, which honoured football, community, and legacy, marked the start of the second year of the Bhadreshwar Gold Cup. Fans and locals enthusiastically participated in the organisers’ outstanding program, which set the tone for the tournament that will begin in a few days.
The presence of three legends of women’s football as chief guests — Kuntala Ghosh Dastidar, Shanti Mullick, and Sujata Kar — was the event’s high point. Loud cheers and heartfelt applause greeted them upon their arrival, recognising their enormous contribution to Indian women’s football and the sport in general. They are all respected individuals whose careers continue to motivate the upcoming generation of athletes.
A vibrant roadshow featuring children, NCC cadets, and cultural organisations marched through Bardhaman’s streets to kick off the event. With banners, drums, and football-themed displays drawing spectators’ attention, the atmosphere was festive. The roadshow strengthened the community’s connection with the game of football.
The program moved to the main venue, Curzon Gate in Bardhaman, after the roadshow, where the honoured guests were felicitated. In recognition of their accomplishments and ongoing involvement in grassroots football, they were given customary tokens of appreciation.
Sujata Kar, Shanti Mullick, and Kuntala Ghosh Dastidar spoke in their speeches about the value of competitions like the Bhadreshwar Gold Cup in popularising football in the districts. The legends talked passionately about women empowerment and highlighted the growth and success of women’s sports in India. They cited the Indian National Women’s Team’s recent AFC Asian Cup qualification with pride. They described it as a significant achievement that shows the increasing power and determination of female athletes. The Indian Women’s ODI World Cup victory was also highlighted, and they praised how such accomplishments encourage young girls nationwide to dream bigger and push boundaries.
The distinguished guests also made a sincere request: a women’s football competition should be added to the Bhadreshwar Gold Cup starting next year. They emphasised that such an addition would not only advance gender equality but also give young girls a crucial platform to display their abilities.
Top teams like Mohun Bagan (Reserves), Mohammedan Sporting, Churchill Brothers, NorthEast United (Reserves), and four other competitive teams will compete in this year’s tournament, which will take place from January 5 to January 12.
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