PRESS RELEASE
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The 121stOSIAN’s-DURAND CUP KICKS-OFF AT DR. AMBEDKAR STADIUM
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New Delhi, 6th August, 2008
The 121st Osian’s-Durand Cup, Asia’s oldest football tournament kicks off in New Delhi on Friday, 8thAugust 2008 at theDr. Ambedkar Stadium.
The Durand Football Tournament Society (DFTS) supported by Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., India’s pioneering arts and cultural institutionandInfinity Optimal Solutions Pvt. Ltd., a Delhi based Sports Management Companywill host the 121st edition of the Osian’s-Durand Cup for the 3rd year in a row. The football enthusiasts in Delhi and beyond can look forward to some exciting action from 8th August- 7th September.
The tournament will be held in two phases. The preliminary Durand Competition will be held from 8–19August and will include the qualifying round, wherein 18 teams will compete including Pune FC, J & K BANK and Amity United.The qualifying round will be based on a knock out format with thefour top teams advancing into the Pre-quarterfinal round.The opening ceremony of the event will be held on 21st August marking the beginning of the main round.
“Our aim is to popularize, encourage and assist in improving the standard of sports in general and football in particular, we wish to inculcate discipline and sportsman spirit amongst the players and teams by organizingthe Durand Football Tournament annually”, added a spokesperson from DFTS.
“We are happy to be associated with the Osian’s-Durand Cup for the 3rd year in a row, we strongly believe that football is the next big thing in the country. Corporate interest for the sport is building up, which is extremely critical for the development of football in the country. IOS plans to further build the momentum and diversify into various other football development processes nationally”, said Neerav Tomar, Director of IOS.
Osian's has played a fundamental and pioneering role on many levels, and has been involved in many avenues given the uniquely integrated institution that it is: i.e. the Auction House, Art Fund, Archive, Publishing & Design House, Film House, Literary Agency, its forthcoming Museum-Archive-Entertainment Complex, and its Football Team - the Osian’s New Delhi Heroes, now all entwined into one fully integrated cultural institution. New initiatives on building sports infrastructure will be announced in the coming months.
A total of Rs. 20 lacs will be paid as prize money toencourage the players & teams and to infuse more enthusiasm among them - Rs. 8 Lacs for the winners and 6 Lacs for the Runners Up. Cash awards will also be given out to the Best Player of the Tournament, Best Player of the Final Match, Best Coach and Best Goalkeeper. Additionally the Golden Boot for the Highest Goal Scorer will be awarded as well.
Further, to update football lovers across the globe www. Indianfootball.com shall partner the event and will providereports, match statistics and imagesof the Osian’s-Durand Cup.Adidas being the official partnerwillbring forward the official match ball “Teamgiest” to be used in this year’s tournament as well.
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For further details please contact:
Nidhi RaoM+ 91 9971073322 E
Chiranjit ChakrabortyM+ 91 9999633950 E