THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Edu Football League closing ceremony culminates in Grand Finale

Edu Football League

Edu Football League

The closing ceremony of the 3rd edition of the Educational Football League (EFL) featured a host of masterpieces gathered within the football stadium of Youth Football Academy in Rurka Kalan, Punjab.

The ceremony demonstrated the diversity of Rurka Kalan football culture which has produced more than 30 players who have represented Punjab in different national level tournaments. Participants and guests of the EFL enjoyed over 4 hours of performances from Punjab’s notable music and dance groups including Garry Sandhu, Balraj Bilga and Rai Jhujar singing performances. Cultural events featuring more than 200 girls from Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Phagwara regions of Punjab performed ‘gidda’ – popular folk dance of women in Punjab.

The league started on January 12 and successfully ended on Sunday, February 23. Gurmangal Dass, YFC President mentioned, “EDU Football League was inspiring! It wouldn’t have been successful without the support of volunteers and most importantly all the participants. Every one of our players learned something individually.”

This league was a complete package of Fun, Learning and Entertainment. The league proved to be a good platform for football as there were above 90 matches for Under-12, U-14 and U-16 age categories for both boys and girls. Khalsa FC won the Under-12 – Gold category title and Bilga FA emerged as runners-up, Shaheed Udham Singh FA was the winner of Under-12 – Platinum category title and Village Tiger FA finished as runners-up. Jonex FA, Jalandhar won the Under-16 winners title and Rabbi Darbar FC stood second. YFC Rurka Kalan lifted the trophy of the U-14 winners team and Santokh Singh Bassi FA stood second.

League matches of professional football clubs such as Punjab Armed Police (PAP), Border Security Force (BSF), PSPCL – Hoshiarpur and YFC Rurka Kalan was also held with PAP Jalandhar winning the Club league title and BSF Jalandhar finishing as runners-up.

In Kabaddi there were three categories, 65Kg, Open and Academy level. The academy level teams had well renowned kabaddi players of North India Kabaddi Federation. In the kabaddi hussels, Baba Mohinder Singh Kabaddi Club, Litran won the Academy level Winner Title and Shere Punjab Academy California stood second. The best raider, Monu Uddewal and Best stopper, Sohn Rurki was awarded with Cash Amount of Rs 2,100 each.

The Award partner – Avon Cycles rewarded 20 cycles to best football players of the league. The Cultural program captured the beats as famous Singers Garry Sandhu, Jassi Gill, Babbal Rai, Balraj bilga and Navjeet Kahlon spell bounded the audience with their voices.