Workers prepare the ground for the inaugural match of the football tournament at Moin-ul-Haq Stadium in Patna on Monday. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Patna, Jan. 16: An over two-decade wait for soccer fans in the state capital to see footballers from across the country kicking for glory will get over tomorrow as the All India Football Tournament for Bihar Cup begins at Moin-ul-Haq Stadium.

Sixteen teams will participate in the tournament being organised by the state government as part of the Bihar centenary celebrations. The teams that would vie for the Bihar cup include Mohun Bagan SAIL Football Academy (Durgapur, Bengal), Khidderpore Sporting Club (Calcutta), the junior team of Prayag United SC (Calcutta), Tata Football Academy (Jamshedpur), Punjab Police (Jalandhar) and Jammu & Kashmir Police.

The last time a national tournament was held in the city was in 1989 and the event was Shri Krishna Gold Cup. Top teams such as Aryan Club (Calcutta), Vasco Sports Club (Goa), Shimla Young (Delhi), Services and Tata Football Academy had participated in the tournament. Tata Football Academy had then lifted the trophy.

Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, accompanied by art, culture and youth affairs minister Sukhda Pandey, will inaugurate the tournament that will continue till January 29.

The opener will be a clash between Prayag United and Jammu & Kashmir Police. While Jammu & Kashmir Police are banking on their young players, Prayag United relies much on its experienced line-up. The spectators can expect a tough competition between the two teams because they are both strong in the midfield and the striking zone.

Asif Majid, a member of Jammu and Kashmir Police, said: “We are confident of putting up a good show here. We recently won the 6th Christian Gold Cup in Jammu and also participated in the All India Police Meet. Besides, the climate in Patna is conducive for exciting soccer.”

On the other hand, Prayag United’s Jagannath Oraon said: “We are a confident team because we conduct regular practice sessions and play matches round the year.”

According to sources, the government has earmarked Rs 30 lakh for the tournament. The budget includes provisions for the footballers’ accommodation, food and travel expenses. The players will put up at the newly built hostel at Kankerbagh Sports Complex.

Ghayasul Haque, the joint secretary of Patliputra Art Culture and Sports Foundation, said: “The main idea is to make football popular in Bihar and ensure that Bihar Centenary Year celebrations be a grand affair.” He added that the winning team would get a cash award of Rs 1 lakh with the championship trophy and the runners-up would get Rs 50,000. The teams losing in semi-finals would get Rs 25,000 each. There would be also cash prizes for the best player and the highest scorer.