Soccer fanatics of Amta got a chance to watch the Maidan greats in action on their own field from February 12 to 21. A first-time in Amta, Sanhati Gold Cup saw a turnout of over 30,000 spectators through 10 days of the tournament. Eight premier teams from Calcutta, namely, Mohammedan Sporting Club, United Sports, FCI Sports Club, Peerless Sports Club, Aryans, Police Athletic Club, Dalhousie Athletic Club, Kalighat Milan Sangha were vying for the Gold Cup that was organised by Bidhan Seva Sadan in association with Howrah District Sports Association at the Amta Sporting Club ground.
The final, on February 21, was played between United Sports and Mohammedan Sporting Club. United Sports took home the Gold Cup after defeating Mohammedan Sporting 2-1. “We organised this tournament to encourage young and promising football players in the villages. This was also a chance for football lovers in the villages to get to watch big matches at a ground near their home and that too without having to buy a ticket,” said Sukanta Paul, the secretary of Sanhati Gold Cup committee. Apart from the cup, the winning team also won Rs 50,000 prize money. The man of the match award went to Dinesh Bhagat of United Sports Club. Man of the tournament, Jagannath Oraon of United Sports Club, was given a refrigerator. The highest goal scorer, Mohammedan Sporting Club’s, Daniel Bidemi, was given a music system. The fair play trophy for the tournament went to FCI Sports Club.
Special guests who came to watch the tournament on various days included Uluberia MP, Sultan Ahmed, MLA Uluberia East, Haider Aziz Safwi, the minister for agriculture marketing, Arup Roy and others. Veteran players like Prasanta Banerjee, Bidesh Basu and Balai Mukherjee also went to watch the tournament on different days.