FOOTBALL TO RESUME IN NEW DELHI AFTER A LONG UNPRECEDENTED PHASE

After the long and excruciating halt, football is finally set to kick off again on the turfs of the national capital, New Delhi. Shaji Prabhakaran, president, Football Delhi, said that it was important to resume football activities following all Covid-19 protocols and safety measures.

While expressing his elation, Prabhakaran said, “It would be a celebration time when we resume our activities on the pitch as players, more than anyone else will be the happiest lot to be back on the pitch with excitement, energy, fun, and performance”.

He urged everyone to come together and make a new beginning by encouraging children to play football everywhere and create new opportunities for the growth of football in the capital city.

Amid the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdowns, Football Delhi had suspended all its activities on March 15, 2020, and exactly after a year, local competitions will be resuming in Delhi following covid-19 protocols.

Football Delhi in its Executive Committee meeting decided to start the competitions from 15th March with Senior Division League in order to meet the deadline for nominating clubs from Delhi to the National 2nd Division League.

Women’s league will kick off from 25th March, followed by Corporate Futsal League in April.

Moreover, the season 2021-22 will kick start in June 2021 with a Delhi Cup, a knock-out competition, open to all affiliated clubs of the Association followed by C-Division League.

Executive Committee also decided to hold selection trials for Sub-Junior Girls (Under-15) Delhi State Team from 20th February in order to start the preparation for National Sub-Junior Championship as girls from this competition will be scouted to be part of India U17 Women’s team which would play in FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup 2022, India.

Shaji Prabhakaran further stated that “We have to look ahead with great anticipation, activities for all age group, starting May 2021. All of us wish never to encounter a similar unprecedented phase in football and life which kept all stakeholders away from their passion and favourite sport for this long.”