Canning Dishahara F.A and Gobindadham Yoga & Sports have claimed the top honors at the Howrah zonal stage of the
The victory marks a significant milestone for both teams as they prepare to represent their region on a larger stage. The CIL Cup, designed to foster talent identification and provide a structured platform for emerging players, continues to draw widespread participation across its various zonal phases.
Men's and Women's Zonal Final Highlights
In a tightly contested men's final, Canning Dishahara F.A faced off against GB Dham FC. The match remained deadlocked throughout regulation time, finishing in a goalless draw. With the subsequent penalty shootout also ending in a 1-1 stalemate, the match was ultimately decided by a coin toss in favor of Canning Dishahara F.A. In the broader standings for the men's category, Abdul R Football Academy claimed third place, while Chakgopal 7 Star finished in fourth. Rajesh Hembram of GB Dham FC was recognized for his efforts with the Player of the Match award.
The women's competition saw Gobindadham Yoga & Sports emerge as the zonal champions, securing their ticket to the Purulia semifinals. Diamond Harbour Morning Star finished the tournament in third place, followed by Chakmakrampur Mahila Football Academy in fourth. Urmila Kishku, representing the winning side, was named the Player of the Match for her performance.
Tournament Context and Future Stages
The CIL Cup serves as a major grassroots football project, involving a massive scale of participation with 1,400 teams and over 21,000 players competing across more than 1,302 matches. By facilitating these zonal stages, Coal India Limited aims to provide a pathway for local talent to gain competitive experience and visibility.
With the Howrah zonal phase now concluded, the focus shifts to the final stages of the tournament. The Grand Finale is set to be hosted in Purulia during the final week of October, where the total prize pool of INR 10 lakh will be contested. The success of these zonal winners highlights the ongoing commitment of the initiative to support the development of football talent across the country.
