Independence Day Cup
Nagaon, Sept. 24: BSF Jalandhar regained the Independence Day Cup title after a gap of six years, defeating Assam Police Blues, Guwahati, 4-1 in the final of the 58th edition of the tournament at Nurul Amin Stadium today.
Gurjeet Singh Ahluwalia opened the account for the Jalandhar team in the 18th minute and the lead was enhanced by medio Boy Singh in the 26th minute.
The paramilitary outfit led 2-0 till the end of the first half.
Gurjeet made a double strike in the second session too, ruffling the net in the 70th and 71st minutes to make it 4-0. Substitute Madhusudan Hazarika reduced the margin in favour of Assam Police Blues in the 86th minute.
Assam Police Blues defeated Royal Sports Club, Guwahati, (1-0) in a semifinal at Nurul Amin Stadium to enter the final on Friday. BSF blanked out Langsning Sporting Club, Shillong, (7-0) in another semifinal at Dhing Sports Association ground the same day.
BSF won the champions’ crown on four occasions, in 1992, 1993, 1998 and 1999 and finished as runners-up in 1996.
Altogether 16 teams, including newcomers Balurghat Town Club and Jnandas Tarun Sangha, took part in the tournament.
Both Kidderpore Sporting Club and CRPF, Jalandhar, caved in the quarterfinals.
Santosh Kuj of the BSF was adjudged the best player of the tournament, while Kunjoy Goyari of Assam Police Blues was named the best skipper.
Forest minister Rockybul Hussain, Nagaon deputy commissioner J. Balaji and superintendent of police Krishna Das attended the prize distribution ceremony as special guests.
“We have missed the charm of the two strong outfits, Oil India Limited, Duliajan, and Nagaland Police this year. However, BSF has brought in a different type of game this time,” said veteran sports journalist Jadav Saikia.
