Sikkim men’s, Mumbai women’s win SPN National Inclusion Cup

Sikkim men’s team and the Mumbai Women’s team emerged victorious of the 2019 SPN National Inclusion Cup in Mumbai. Kerala beat the host Mumbai 6-3, while Mumbai Women took the top honours in a closely fought encounter beating Sikkim 4-3.

A total of 50 (24 men’s and 24 women’s) teams from various states across India and Nepal and Bangladesh participated in the men’s and women’s category of the league-cum-knockout format tournament at Mohammad Hussain Ground in Agripada,Mumbai central, Mumbai.

It commenced with the teams from Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, Maharashtra, Mumbai, Assam, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, and Manipur, Nepal and Bangladesh. A total of 500 players participated in the event across 24 men’s and 24 women’s team.

Men’s group

Throughout the league 112 matches were played after which the following 16 teams qualified for the round of 16:Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Mumbai, Assam, Kerala, Sikkim, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Nepal, Haryana, Punjab, Vidarbha.

After the tough the quarter finals Uttarakhand, Mumbai, Kerala and Sikkim made their way for the quarter finals which said to be more exciting and tense.

The two well deserving teams the favorite Mumbai and Sikkim entered the final. The match played with passion and determination as the teams were scoring goals one after another. After the half time the score was 3-3 but during the second half Sikkim scored 3 consecutive goals and didn’t give a single chance to Mumbai to bounce back. Sikkim engraved their name on the title of the SPN National Inclusion Cup 2019 after trashing Mumbai with 6-3.

Women’s category

Throughout the league in the women’s category 50 matches were played. The league match unexpected as every teams put a tough fight to qualify for the round of 16. Following are the teams qualified for the round of 16: Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi, Assam, Sikkim, Mumbai, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Telangana Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha Chhattisgarh Orissa and Mumbai (BMC)

The Quarter Finals were more than Football. Teams not just played to win but showed respect for each other. From the quarter finals 4 teams those Mumbai, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, Sikkim and Vidarbha made their way for the semi finals which were scheduled on the final day.

The women’s semi finals were also took ample energy of the spectators as the first match was scheduled between Mumbai BMC and Mumbai. Both teams were getting support. But a penalty conceded by Mumbai BMC gave Mumbai a victory in the dying minutes of the game. On the other hand Sikkim past over Chhattisgarh 6-2 in a one sided game.

The host Mumbai and Sikkim both were unbeaten throughout the whole tournament. They met each other in the final which was as intense as no other game in the whole tournament. Team Mumbai became victories beating Sikkim in a nail-biting final with the final score 3-2.

“While there are winners emerging from every tournament, for us all participants coming from across the country, including from Nepal, and Bangladesh were the real highlights of The National Inclusion Cup. This football tournament was played in the true spirit of participation and inclusiveness and that’s what defines our success.” said Dr. Vijay Barse, Founder, Slum Soccer.

SPN: The National Inclusion Cup 2019 is a CSR Initiative of Sony Pictures Network India.