The Chandigarh Football Academy (CFA), the sole government-backed professional football academy in the city, failed to appear for its scheduled match on the opening day of the Under-17 Pre-Subroto Football Cup. The team was set to face Vivek High School, Sector 38, but did not show, resulting in a walkover for the Sector 38 team.
Ineligibility blamed for no-show
Sources revealed that many CFA players were ineligible for the tournament. The CFA's under-17 squad comprises players from the 2009 and 2010 batches, but the tournament cutoff was for players born in 2010 or later. This left several players unable to participate. An official speaking on condition of anonymity said, “The entry to the tournament was sent by mistake.”
The CFA operates under the UT Administration and is the only state-run academy in Chandigarh. It typically competes in a few local tournaments, including interschool meets and the All India Administrator’s Football Cup. Last year, the academy finished second in the All India Administrator’s Football Challenge Cup and has previously qualified for the International Subroto Football Cup multiple times.
Other matches see action
St Soldier’s School, Sector 27, secured a 2-0 victory over Chitkara International School, Sector 25. Prince scored in the 9th minute, and Rytham doubled the lead in the 16th minute. The Sector 27 team controlled possession for the remainder of the match.
Ryan International School, Sector 47, defeated hosts Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 22, 3-1. Aarav scored a hat-trick (15th, 33rd, 49th minutes), while Dhruv pulled one back for the Sector 22 team in the 46th minute.
Under-15 results
In under-15 age group matches held at a government school in Sector 37, Strawberry School, Sector 26, beat St John’s High School, Sector 26, 1-0. Aarahan scored the only goal in the 13th minute.
Vivek High School defeated MDAV School, Sector 22, 7-1. Kabir netted three goals, Shashank scored two, and Rajbir and Viaan added one each. Kanishk Thakur scored the lone goal for MDAV.
St Stephen’s School, Sector 45, trounced Sri Chaitanya School, Sector 44, 3-0. Gurba scored a brace, and Lawrem added one goal.
Academy’s legacy
The CFA was founded in 2000 as a brainchild of Lt Gen JFR Jacob, the then Punjab Governor and UT Administrator. Despite its absence from this tournament, the academy remains one of the top performers from Chandigarh and has reached the knockout stages in previous Subroto Cup editions.
