Prestigious Nagpur Football Tournament Abruptly Halted
The 10th edition of the prestigious Haji Majid Ahmad Majju Seth All India Gold Cup football tournament came to an abrupt halt after being directed to stop midway through the competition. The tournament had commenced on Friday at the Military ground in Kamptee, Nagpur, but was forced to shut down following official intervention.
Rule Violation Leads to Tournament Suspension
On Wednesday, the Nagpur District Football Association (NDFA) issued a formal directive to the organizers, the United Football Welfare Association (UFWA) of Kamptee, ordering them to stop the tournament immediately. The decisive action was taken because the UFWA failed to comply with the mandatory All India Football Association (AIFF) regulations concerning the Centralized Registration System (CRS) and Centralized Management System (CMS) for all participating players.
This failure to adhere to the national governing body's protocols left the NDFA with no alternative but to intervene and halt one of Nagpur's most respected football competitions. The CRS and CMS systems are crucial for maintaining transparency and verifying player eligibility in any officially registered football event across India.
Official Communication Highlights Breach
In a formal letter addressed to the UFWA, NDFA Secretary Iqbal Kashmiri clearly outlined the reason for the drastic measure. He wrote, "This is to inform you that you have failed to follow the rules and regulations of AIFF, in particular regarding CRS and CMS of players of each participating team."
The letter further revealed that the organizers had previously assured the association that they would rectify this compliance issue. Based on this assurance, the NDFA had even sent referees to officiate the matches. However, when the fault was not corrected, the association was compelled to issue the stop order.
Consequences for Local Football
The sudden cancellation of the tournament represents a significant setback for the local football community in Nagpur and Kamptee. Such events provide a vital platform for emerging talent and are a key part of the sporting calendar. The enforcement of AIFF rules, while necessary for standardization and integrity, has unfortunately led to the disruption of a cherished sporting tradition, leaving players, teams, and fans disappointed.
