The Bordoloi Trophy, one of independent India’s oldest premier football tournaments, is undergoing a major reboot. Set to unfold over three months starting in January 2025, this revamped event will encompass a staggering 608 matches. The Guwahati Sports Association (GSA), custodian of the tournament since its inception in 1952, is leading this ambitious restructuring.
The revitalized Bordoloi Trophy aims to regain its former glory and become a fertile ground for nurturing fresh talent in the districts. The tournament’s decentralized format, spread across three 15-day rounds, is designed to re-engage local communities and reignite the passion for football in Assam.
Devajit Saikia, the GSA’s honorary general secretary, attributes the decline of iconic tournaments like the IFA Shield, Rovers Cup, and Governors Cup to factors such as the widespread telecast of international football, the emergence of the I-League and Indian Super League, and a lack of sponsorship.
“The Bordoloi Trophy has faced a similar trajectory, reaching its nadir in recent years,” Saikia acknowledged. “The deep-seated sentiments associated with this historic tournament compelled us to restructure it for sustainability. This restructuring involves players, clubs, fans, and organizers at the district level, with total funding provided by the Assam government for the first time.”
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s commitment to preserving the “football tradition” has been instrumental in the Bordoloi Trophy’s reinvention. The goal is to create a platform for local players and clubs to compete for cash prizes at the district level, ultimately advancing to higher rounds to face tougher opponents from across the state and beyond.
“This is a watershed moment for the iconic trophy,” said Kausar Jamil Hilaly, Secretary of the State Sports and Youth Welfare Department. “We are bringing back spectators to the football fields to witness their local heroes strive for victory.”
District associations have been empowered to select clubs through nomination or local-level tournaments. While players can be recruited from anywhere, they are limited to playing for only one club.
The tournament is structured in a way that allows each of Assam’s 35 revenue districts to select their top eight clubs, which must register 18-30 players by December 2024. The districts are divided into six clusters based on geographic considerations.
The competition kicks off from January 20 to February 5 with the district round. The champion team from each district will then advance to the cluster round from February 10-25. The two top teams from each cluster will qualify for the final round.
“Apart from the 12 qualifying teams from the cluster round, four prominent teams will be invited to play in the final round,” Saikia explained. “Two will be the champion and runners-up of the Guwahati Premier League, and two will be top clubs from other states or abroad.”
With a projected 5,600 players from 284 clubs and 1,120 officials participating, the Bordoloi Trophy is poised to become a massive football festival, spanning 45 days and 608 matches. This ambitious revamp is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Bordoloi Trophy and its potential to reignite the passion for football in Assam while fostering new talent for the future.
