State level Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Daman Diu, Dadra Nagar Haveli and Andaman Nicobar teams
take on each other from 9 th June in a football bonanza week for soccer lovers
Great time is ahead for football lovers in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. There will be a display
of quality football by young Indian players from all across the western parts of India and Andaman
Nicobar. In a gala Opening Ceremony held at Sports Authority of India Stadium, Gandhinagar, Governor
of Gujarat Shri O P Kohli declared the OORJA football tournament open. Addressing a big gathering of
students and sports fraternity, he called upon the players to put everything into the game so that Indian
football can get global fame. Governor appreciated the great amount of work being put in by Central
Industrial Security Force in football talent hunt.
Guest of honour Cricketer Yusuf Pathan called upon the youth to associate them with football,
game which is played across the globe. He said that OORJA is an opportunity to realise the dreams of
prospective football players. Shooter Lajja Goswami, another guest of honour praised CISF by saying that
they are not only protecting the nation but promoting and protecting the sports. She urged players to
focus on game as government and CISF are taking care of logistics. Footballer Dharmesh Patel, who is
also Brand Ambassador of OORJA, wished all the teams a good game and expressed hope that such
events will help bring football closer to the youth. He thanked PM for initiative Mission XI million and
CISF for shaping the OORJA to meet aspirations of football players
OORJA phase II Trophy was unveiled by Shri Anup Kumar Singh, Commissioner of Police, two
days back in a premier club in Ahmedabad. After tapping football talent from schools and clubs in phase
I, OORJA II is now going to grip Gujarat in football fever for a week. Boys matches will start from 9 th June
in Divine Child International School, Chandkheda, Ahmedabad, while Girls will play their matches in SAI,
Gandhinagar. Match timings are 6:30 am and 5 pm onwards for both Boys and Girls. Girls Final will be
played at 5:30 pm on 14 th June while Boys Final on 15 th June at 6:30 am. OORJA phase II will culminate in
a grand Closing Ceremony on 15 th June starting from 6 pm onwards with Gujarat CM Shri Vijay Rupani as
Chief Guest. Cricketer Parthiv Patel and Actor turned MP Paresh Raval too will attend the closing
ceremony.
The purpose of football promotion was to realize a dream, to make India a football playing and
loving nation, inspired by none other than the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi’s Mission XI
Million. IG Western Sector, CISF Satish Khandare gave a detailed background of how they brought
together all stakeholders to promote football in Gujarat.
