With AIFF has virtually shot down all major popular domestic tournaments and the focus is only on I-League and ISL, there’s doubt if they will allot a space to Delhi.
NEW DELHI: Football Delhi (FD) has decided to launch Capital Cup to revive the sport’s glorious days in India’s capital city.
“Through Capital Cup we would like to energies the local football and connect football fans with an inspiring football tournament where best clubs and players would be seen in action,” Football Delhi said in a press release on Friday following its Executive Committee meeting on Thursday.
Top tournaments like the more than a century-old Durand Cup and DCM Trophy are now a thing of the past, and lack of events have only weakened the sport’s attraction in the Capital.
The DCM tournament closed down after 1997, and the Durand has not been held here since 2016. Consequently local players get little elite exposure and expectations are limited.
Lack of interest
Besides, the demographic and infrastructural changes in the capital have also affected the sport.
As there is no fixed schedule, media interest also declined and coverage of league matches in local sports pages also dipped.
But in 2019, due to the intervention of Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju the local league was held at the Nehru stadium free of cost.
However, with AIFF has virtually shot down all major popular domestic tournaments and the focus is only on I-League and ISL, there’s doubt if the national federation will allot the space to FD.
“Football Delhi will make a request to All India Football Federation to grant appropriate window to hold this All India tournament in Delhi where minimum four ISL/ I-League clubs will be invited to play in the 8 teams League-cum-knockout competition,” the statement added.
Four clubs from Delhi will join the tournament to encourage local teams.
“Association will also discuss the launch of Capital Cup with Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Authority of India and State Govt to be a key stakeholder in making this tournament a grant success and make it a regular feature of India’s capital city.
The executive committee has also decided to approve the launch of a Digital Hub to connect and engage with football community and stakeholders.
Digital Hub will comprise of different digital platforms, live tv, digital campaign, esports, elearning and web series.
