By PRADEEP KUMAR SUBUDHI
Bhubaneswar, January 6: The All Odisha Football Tournament officially commenced at the K.C. High School Playground in Jatani on Sunday.
Suresh Routray, former Minister and EX-MLA of Jatani had the honor of inaugurating the 26th edition of the Sribastchha Memorial Football Tournament.
The inaugural match featured the Nigeria XI team (from Centurion University, Jatani) against WBFC Choudwar (Cuttack). Nigeria XI emerged victorious with a commanding 5-0 win. Mohammed Usman, wearing jersey number 6, scored a stunning hat-trick, earning him the "Man of the Match" award for his brilliant performance.
The event was on Sunday graced by prominent figures such as JayantI Chhotary, Jatani Block Chairman, Subashini Biswal, Sarpanch of Chhanaghar Panchayat, along with former Sarpanch Sunil Routary, and Samiti Member Satyabhama Routray, Debashin Nayak, Vice-President of the Veteran Football Team of Odisha. These leaders and football enthusiasts offered their encouragement and support to the players.
On January 6, the second match of the tournament saw Jaga United (Bhubaneswar) take on Friend Paradise (Jatani), with Jaga United securing a win.
This year’s tournament has attracted 8 teams, with matches scheduled from Sunday, January 5, to Sunday, January 12. The final match will take place on January 12, while an exhibition match for young players is slated for January 9.
The Sribastchha Memorial Football Tournament has been held annually for 26 years. It is named in honor of Sribastchha, the younger brother of veteran politician Suresh Routray. Sribastchha was a well-known philanthropist and a beloved figure in the community, always ready to help the needy. Born in Chhanaghar Village, his legacy lives on through this tournament.
To enhance the experience and attract more spectators this year, the organizing team introduced a unique initiative: a free lottery draw offering prizes to three lucky winners. This is part of their effort to engage the audience and make the event more exciting.
