Kozhikode to host 7’s national

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Kozhikode has always beckoned football players who are always creative and the tournaments that enthralled the spectators.

And even though most grounds are underdeveloped — considering the kind of infrastructure the district offers, the number of football tournaments is on the increase in both the senior and youth categories.

To add more flavour to the football fervour, an All-India invitation seven-a-side football tournament for Under-12 boys will be organised by the Kadalundi Grama Panchayat Sports Council in association with the SEPT centre Kadalundi from January 25 to January 29.

“This will be the first Under-12 tournament being held under floodlight in Kerala. We want the tournament to be held in a completely professional manner.

So, we have organised good facilities for the players. Since the weather conditions will be favourable we hope to make it a crowd puller,” said SEPT chairman, Arun K. Nanu.

A total of six teams will participate in the tournament and they will be divided into two groups of three teams each.

The preliminary rounds will be in the league format while the semi finals and final will follow a knockout system.

There will be six league matches, two semi-finals and a final. Two matches will be played under the floodlights daily from 7 pm onwards.

The tournament will be held at the CMHS School grounds in Kadalundi. “We need to conduct the tournament in a professional way and we will provide free accommodation and food for 14 participants and three officials. Grounds will be provided for training as per the schedule,” he said.

“Though it is a seven-a-side tournament, the matches will be conducted strictly as per the association rules.

The duration of the match will be 20 minutes for each side with an interval of five minutes,” he said.