Preparations Underway for Season 3 of the Oriental Cup: All You Need to Know About the Youth-Focused League Modeled After the Indian Super League
The Oriental Cup, a much-anticipated school football tournament, is set to commence its third season from July 21 to July 29 at the Dr. Ambedkar Stadium in Delhi. Founded three years ago by student-athletes Fareed Bakshi and Zahan Sawhney, the tournament has quickly grown into a key event on Delhi's school sports calendar, fostering a community where young players can grow, learn, and celebrate the spirit of football.
The tournament will follow a three-stage format for both boys' and girls' categories: qualifier rounds, league phase, and finals. This structured and inclusive platform continues to provide an invaluable opportunity for school athletes of all genders to demonstrate their skills and potential.
In the boys' division, Air Force School, Subroto Park claimed victory in 2023, with Apex School taking the title in 2024. However, the previous winners of the girls' division remain unchanged, with Sanskriti School triumphing in both seasons. The Delhi Soccer Association acknowledges the tournament's significant contribution to the development of youth football in Delhi, while Rizwan-ul-Haq, vice president of the association, endorses its growing impact.
The Oriental Cup encourages competitive play and sportsmanship among school athletes, reinforcing its mission of promoting a positive and supportive environment for young players. With 36 teams participating, including 24 in the boys' (U-15) category and 12 in the girls' (U-19) category, the tournament invites students, coaches, and football fans from across Delhi to follow, support, and be part of the growing movement.
Co-founder Fareed Bakshi emphasised that the Oriental Cup is about more than just competition; it's about building a sense of community through football. As the tournament aspires to become a long-standing tradition in Delhi's school sports landscape, it continues to inspire and empower the next generation of football talent.
The Oriental Cup, in its third season, will continue to be a significant event on Delhi's school sports calendar, fostering a community where young players can grow and celebrate the spirit of football. In this tournament, both boys' and girls' categories will follow a three-stage format, providing an invaluable opportunity for school athletes of all genders to demonstrate their skills and potential, just like the previous winners of football tournaments – Air Force School and Sanskriti School in the boys' and girls' divisions, respectively.
