Srinagar: The vibrant city of Srinagar witnessed the inauguration of the 2nd Edition of the CRPF Football Cup 2025 (Srinagar Sector Championship) today at the Synthetic Football Turf, TRC Srinagar.
The football extravaganza was officially kicked off by Pawan Kumar Sharma, IG Srinagar Sector, in the presence of esteemed dignitaries and enthusiastic participants.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by Nuzhut Gul, Secretary, JK Sports Council; Dinesh Singh, DIG Operations; H.S. Kales, DIG P&A; Vivek Bhandral, DIG, Group Centre Srinagar, along with Commandants and senior officers of the Srinagar Sector. The event marked a significant step in fostering stronger bonds between the CRPF and the youth of Kashmir through the medium of football.
Addressing the gathering, IG Pawan Kumar Sharma highlighted that the 2nd Edition of the CRPF Football Cup 2025 is being organized on National Sports Day, which commemorates the birth anniversary of the legendary Major Dhyan Chand, widely regarded as one of the greatest field hockey players of all time. He added that this edition provides U-23 players with an opportunity to showcase their talent.
A total of eight teams from Srinagar, four teams from Budgam, and four teams from Ganderbal will compete in a knockout format over the next week, culminating in the finals on September 4, 2025. The international-standard synthetic football turf is one of the highlights of the tournament. He further emphasized that the prize money has been doubled compared to the first edition, reflecting CRPF’s commitment to ensuring players derive maximum benefit from the tournament.
He also thanked the Secretary of JK Sports Council for their association with the 2nd Edition CRPF Football Cup 2025. The objective of the event, he said, is to provide a platform for young talent to showcase their skills, excel in their careers, and potentially contribute to state and national-level teams, thereby bringing laurels to the country.
Organized by Srinagar Sector CRPF under the Civic Action Programme, in collaboration with the J&K Sports Council, the tournament aligns with the mission of My Youth My Pride, emphasizing the empowerment and pride associated with youth engagement.
The inaugural match delivered an exhilarating spectacle as Hamdania FC edged past Star Academy Budgam 4-3 at the time of this press release. Footballers Suhail (2), Manan (1), and Mehran (1) were top scorers for Hamdania FC, while Arif Mehraj netted all three goals for Star Academy Budgam.
The Player of the Match award is being accompanied by a cash prize of ₹2,000 during knockout matches, ₹3,000 in the semifinals, and ₹5,000 in the final. As the tournament unfolds, the 2nd Edition CRPF Football Cup 2025 promises to be a dynamic and competitive platform for young football enthusiasts, fostering a spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie.
The live action of this football extravaganza can be followed on the official Instagram handle of Srinagar Sector.
