Minerva Academy FC won the Namdhari U-17 Football League, which was organized by the Namdhari Football Academy from April 4 to 10, 2021.

The Junior Warriors kicked off the campaign with style against Sri Dashmesh Academy on April 4 as they put five goals past their opponents. Himanshu Jangra scored four and Sadananda scored the other in the league opener.

In the second match against Kick Football Academy, Kamlesh’s solo effort in the 45th minute ensured all three points for the Minerva Academy FC U-17s. In the third match, the Junior Warriors faced a tough task against FC Malerkotla. Both sides tried to break the deadlock but none came victorious as they both had to settle for a point.

On April 7, Minerva Academy FC U-17s faced FC Aloona Tola and came out on top with a massive result. The Junior Warriors showed total dominance against their opponents as they scored six goals and conceded none. Himanshu again scored four with Ashish Rana and Samuel Haokip scoring one goal each.

The Minerva Academy FC U-17s were now the league leaders and were pretty confident ahead of their next challenge against the team at the bottom, Namdhari FC (B), who scored an own goal which ensured all three points for the Minerva Academy FC U-17s.

In the next match, the Junior Warriors faced Namdhari FC (A) and were dealt with a blow as they lost by a single goal.

Despite the loss, the Junior Warriors were still the league leaders with a better goal difference than Chandigarh Football Academy whom they faced in their last match which also was the league decider. Going into the match, both teams were tied on 13 points and they both knew what’s at stake where Minerva Academy FC U-17s only needed a draw and Chandigarh Football Academy had to beat Minerva Academy to win the title.

The match kicked off with high intensity and the Minerva Academy FC U-17s tried to capitalize on some early chances before half-time but couldn’t break the deadlock. In the 52nd minute, Fahad scored from Himanshu’s assist and gave Junior Warriors the lead. The opponents then tried to score on many occasions but the Minervan goalkeeper Charles Tongbram showed his brilliance and kept his sixth clean sheet out of seven matches in the league and the Junior Warriors crowned as Champions after the final whistle.

Minervan Himanshu Jangra bagged the best striker award for his eight goals contribution and the match-winning assist in the final.