Minerva to play in IFA Shield

Tribune News Service 

Chandigarh, May 24

Minerva Punjab FC has been invited to participate in the 121st edition of the prestigious IFA Shield U-19 Football Tournament to be played in Kolkata from May 26 to June 11. 

A total of 10 teams, including top clubs like East Bengal, Atletico de Kolkata and Mohan Bagan, will be a part of the tournament. 

The city club has been granted a direct entry into the tournament. Players born between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2000, will be eligible for the tournament and many of Minerva’s players from the recently concluded U-18 I-League, in which the side qualified for the final round, are expected to feature in the IFA Shield. 

Minerva head coach Surinder Singh said: “We are confident of a good show by our boys. They are excited to be a part of such a historic and reputed tournament,” The winner of the tournament will be awarded Rs 5 lakh, while the runners-up will be richer by Rs 3 lakh. 

The IFA Shield is an annual football competition organised by the Indian Football Association and is one of the oldest football tournaments in the country and the fourth oldest in the world. Ranjit Bajaj also said that the team is ready to perform at this platform.