Guwahati, Aug. 14: The Guwahati Sports Association has resolved to revive the original charm of the Lokapriya Bordoloi Trophy football tournament by roping in at least two foreign teams in the current year’s edition scheduled tentatively from November 8 to 24 at Nehru Stadium.

Asserting the association’s resolve, president J.K. Bora told The Telegraph that for the first time in the history of the tournament, two foreign teams will be playing and four leading outfits of the country will be seen in action.

Returning from a recent trip from Bangkok, Bora said a top-rung team of the Thai league, BEC Tero, has almost confirmed participation while Port Trust, Bangkok, has expressed its inability to field a team because of shortage of players.

“The postponement of this year’s edition has proved beneficial for us. Had we proposed to hold the meet as usual in October, a Thai team would not be available as their premier league would be on till the end of October,” Bora added.

The Bordoloi Trophy had been deferred this year in view of the preoccupation of Nehru Stadium for the India-Pakistan One Day International on November 5. The tournament will have to be completed as early as possible as the Ranji Trophy matches will be held at the stadium later that month.

The Assam Cricket Association has also shifted two of the Ranji matches to NF Railway Stadium in Maligaon here and S.M. Dev Stadium in Silchar to facilitate holding of the Bordoloi Trophy matches in the Nehru Stadium. Assam, pitted in Plate Group A, will have to host four of their five matches at home from November 12 onwards.

About the other foreign team, Bora said winners of the Bangladesh Club Championship, Abahani Ltd, which comprises some Brazilian players, has also confirmed participation.

“It is now upto our capability to raise the necessary funds through sponsorship to meet the expense for the foreign teams,” he added.

He said the resolution to rope in foreign teams was taken in view of the revival of football enthusiasm in the state following the National Games victory in February.

The country’s leading clubs who have assured participation are Vasco, Mohamm-edan Sporting, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and Tata Football Academy, Bora said.

The probable teams from the Northeast include Assam State Electricity Board SC, Oil India Ltd, Assam Rifles, Ass-am Regimental Centre, Kokrajhar XI, Udalguri XI, Shillong XI, Assam Police Blues, Dynamo Club and others.