The Indian leg of the Manchester United Premier Cup (MUPC), for under-15 footballers, will kick-off at the Cooperage ground in Mumbai on Wednesday.
The tournament, which was formally launched by the All India Football Federation and Nike on Tuesday in Mumbai, will conclude on January 13. The champion team will be flown by Nike to represent India in the South East Asia finals from May 28 to 31. The location for the finals will be decided later.
The SEA regional winners will join 19 teams from around the world to play for the World Finals.
Last year, Kolkata's Mohun Bagan won the India round and participated in the South East Asian regional finals in Bangkok, in May. There they won a berth in the World Finals after getting the better of Singapore's Singapore Sport School 2-0 in the final.
All India Football Federation secretary Alberto Colaco lauded Nike's commitment.
''The AIFF is extremely happy with our partnership with Nike, who have shown true commitment towards elevating football in India. By organising grass root level initiatives, such as the Manchester United Premier Cup, they have certainly helped in promoting the game in India.
"Last year Mohun Bagan did us proud by making it to the world finals and this year too we hope to have a winning team that will prove that India has brilliant talent in the field of football,'' he said before declaring the tournament open.
Created by Nike in 1993 as a regional tournament with participants from 15 countries, the MUPC has grown to become a global event.
The teams have been divided into four groups and will play a league. Group A comprises Mohun Bagan, Vasco, Goa, J & K Football Academy and Sikkim Football Academy; Group B is made up of Mahindra United, SBH Singh Football Academy, Goa United Sports Academy and Mohammedan Sporting. Group C has East Bengal, Pondicherry Football Academy, Providence Football Club and Velsao Pale SC while Group D comprises JCT Football Academy, MDFA Academy, Simla Youngs and Eastern Sporting Union.
The Group A winner will take on Group C winner while Group B winner meets Group D winner in the semi-finals.
The fixtures:
10.1.2007 (IST):
0700: Mohun Bagan vs Vasco SC
0750: J&K Football Academy vs Sikkim Football Academy
0840: Mahindra United vs SBH Football Academy
0930: Goa United Sports Academy vs Mohammedan Sporting
1020: East Bengal vs Pondicherry Football Academy
1110: Providence FC vs Velsao Pale SC
1200: JCT Football Academy vs MDFA Academy
1250: Simla Youngs vs Eastern Sporting Union
1340: Mohun Bagan vs J & K Football Academy
1430: Vasco Sports Club vs Sikkim Football Academy
1520: Mahindra United vs Goa United Sports Academy
1610: SBH Singh FA vs Mohammedan Sporting.
11.1.2007:
0700: East Bengal vs Providence FC
0750: Pondicherry FA vs Velsao Pales SC
0840: JCT FA vs Simla Younga
0930: MDFA Academy vs Eastern Sporting Union
1020: Vasco SC vs J & K FA
1110: Mohun Bagan vs Sikkim FA
1200: Mahindra United vs Mohammedan Sporting
1250: SBH Singh FA vs Goa United SA
1340: East Bengal vs Velsao Pale SC
1430: Pondicherry FA vs Providence FC
1520: JCT FA vs Eastern Sporting Union
1610: MDFA Academy vs Simla Youngs
12.1.200: Semi-finals:
0900: Winner of Group A vs Winner of Group C
1000: Winner of Group B vs Winner of Group D
13.1.2007: 0300 IST: Final
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