The E.K. Nayanar Memorial Gold Cup football tournament will be kicked off at the Municipal Jawahar Stadium at Kannur on February 7.
Announcing this at a press conference Communist Party of India (Marxist) Central Committee member and tournament organising committee chairman E.P. Jayarajan said that eight top teams in the country would take part in the tournament for the gold cup.
It was after a gap of 18 years that the teams playing in the national league were visiting here, he said. The teams are East Bengal, Mohammedan Sporting and Chirag United from West Bengal, Churchill Brothers, Goa, Mumbai FC, Pune FC, Air India and Viva Kerala.
The first pool matches would conclude on February 12 and the second pool would be held from February 14 and 19, he said. The semifinals would be held on February 21 and 22 and the final match would be held on February 24.
The inaugural match would be between Mohd. Sporting and Viva Kerala. An exhibition match of women players would be held on February 13, Mr. Jayarajan said. He also said that all arrangements including the preparation of the turf were completed.
Season tickets are priced at Rs. 5,000, Rs. 2,000, Rs. 1,000, Rs. 250 and Rs. 120 and daily ticket Rs. 10 and Rs. 20, he said.
Organising general convener M.V. Govindan, vice-chairman P. Sasi, FIFA Appeals Committee member P.P. Lakshmanan were present at the press meet.
Fixtures:
All Kickoff at 6:00 pm
Group A
07.02.2010 Viva Kerala Vs Mohammedan Sporting Club
08.02.2010 Air India Vs Viva Kerala
09.02.2010 Air India Vs Mumbai FC
10.02.2010 Viva Kerala Vs Mumbai FC
11.02.2010 Mohammedan Sporting Club, Vs Air India
13.02.2010 Mumbai FC Vs Mohammedan Sporting Club
Group B
14.02.2010 Chirag United Vs Lajong FC
15.02.2010 Chirag United Vs Pune FC
16.02.2010 Lajong FC Vs Kingfisher East Bengal
17.02.2010 Pune FC Vs Lajong FC
18.02.2010 Kingfisher East Bengal Vs Pune FC
19.02.2010 Kingfisher East Bengal Vs Chirag United
Semi Final 21.02.2010 Winner Group A Vs Runner Up Group B ……… X
22.02.2010 Winners Group B Vs Runner Up Group A ………Y
Final 24.02.2010 Winner -X Vs Winner -Y
Original article on The Hindu
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Tuesday 2 February 2010, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.
Comments · 18
wow tats nice that some top teams are coming.
3 tournaments are running simultaneously. good for kerala football.
very good for other states team nothing for kerela football
Viva kerala is there. when there are lots of tournament, i think it will revive old horses (kerala teams) in kerala.
Regarding the coming high-profile E.K. Nayanar tournament in Kannur, the coach said: "There is a good lineup for this tournament and we want to play well. The tournament comes at a good time as most of the first elven players can recover now and take rest. At the same time, those who do not play regularly will have a chance to gain match practice and recommend themselves for I-League matches.this is what Viva coach saying and same thing will be with other I league team playing eleven
viva kerala play 3 match less than 1 week before play ileague match vs salgaocar. organisrs change viva to 2nd group plz
Viva will be playing reserver team .. Players like Malik and Amarwant will get more exposure.
Organisers may ask Sakeer and other players to play. If they get injured it will be a big blow to VIVA.
All the i league teams will be playing second string sides.
Also, Kolkata league is in progress East Bengal and Mohammedan and Chirag will be also having second string players
Hoping Kerala football has a bright future!
all the best
good for kerala soccer
BOss Where Is SBT ???
it wud be nice if KFA start something similar to i-leauge, featuring teams from kerala.
Viva, Malabar, SBT, Titanium, Josco, KSEB are gud teams.
what is the status of FC kochin, is it disbursed?
It would be nice have proper leagues in kerala with at least 10teams each in the first and second division from next season.
Waste of money this tournament. Spend it on academy or state league. We need good state league so teams can have regular home and away matches not relying on tournaments.
The KFA should form a Kerala League and sponsors will be there once its start.The KFA or even GOVT can give GRAND for the top clubs having their own academies and STADIUM.
@ Joy.david Govt. were unable to give a small piece of land for FIFA approved program.
We must want a 10to12 team state league.Why not kfa intiative to start a league.
churchil brothers is not there in Eknayanar memorial cup in kannur instead of new team named LAJONGfcSHILONG team is playing
Way to go SHILLONG LAJONG. U can beat viva kerela in their own backyard. All our best wishes and prayers are with you. Go LAJONG GO.