Bengaluru FC (BFC) on Thursday announced the club’s foray into tournaments for schools, colleges and corporates in the city. Addressing the media at the Bangalore Football Stadium, BFC COO Mustafa Ghouse said the move was one the club wanted to execute for some time now with a view of making it the most sought after tournament in the coming years.

“This is something that we’ve been working on for a while and we’re very keen on executing it. We’ve always wanted to launch a series of tournaments for the football community in Bangalore. To give children the opportunity to play in high-level tournaments is the main focus. We will be kicking things off with the BFC Inter-School Soccer Shield that will take place between October 7 and 16 at the Bangalore Football Stadium before we begin the Corporate Rumble and the Inter-College Face-Off,” said Ghouse who was accompanied by BFC CTO and tournament director Mandar Tamhane, club right-back Vishal Kumar, Ajit Ravindran Managing Partner, Meraki Sport & Entertainment, Krishna Narayanan, Honorary Secretary, KSFA and ST Bhoopal, Honorary Secretary, BDFA.

As many as twenty three schools from the city will be participating across three age categories – Under-10 (7v7, 30 minute game), Under-12 (9v9, 40 minute game) and Under-14 (11v11, 50 minute game) – in the tournament that will be played on a league-cum-knockout basis.

“We feel that we need to create this competition at the lower age groups. From Bengaluru FC’s point of view, we will have all the talent from the lower age groups available. Our youth coaches will be on the lookout for talent that can be part of the club’s academy,” said Tamhane. BFC has also got on board Soccer Trac – an app that will update scores, results and fixtures of the tournament in real time.

Ghouse also announced new season-long partnerships for the club with Enerzal who have come on board as official sports drink for BFC and Radio City who will be the Blues’ radio partners for the 2015-16 season.

Speaking on the partnership, FDC’s Director, Ameya Chandavarkar said, “It’s a proud moment for all of us at FDC. We believe Enerzal is a very relevant product for footballers. We are looking forward to energizing the Blues and ensuring they stay optimally hydrated at all times.”

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

Under-10
Dps East, Jain Heritage, Inventure Academy, Faps, Head Start , Ducation Academy, Greenwood International School, Mallya Aditi International, Deens Academy, Dps North (E City), Vidyashilp Academy.

Under-12
Dps East (Sarjapur), Dps North (E City), Jain Heritage, Jain International, Indus International,Ryan International Yellahanka, Inventure Academy, The Deens Academy , Dps South ,Vibgyor Hsr Layout, Head Start, Greenwood International School, Mallya Aditi International, Ryan International Bannerghatta Icse, Ryan International Bannerghata Cbse, Frank Antony Public School.

Under-14
Dps  East (Sarjapur), Dps North (E City), Ryan International Bannerghata Icse, Ryan International Whitefield, St. Alloysius, Nagarjuna Yelahanka, Frank Antony Public School, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jakkur , Whitefield Global School, Parikrma, Mallya Aditi International, Ryan International Banerghata Cbse, Jain International Residential School, Ryan International Yellahanka, Dps South, Vidyaniketan