Football at National Games Takes Center Stage in Uttarakhand
The 38th National Games in Uttarakhand promises to deliver thrilling football action, with the draw and fixtures for both the men’s and women’s tournaments now officially announced.
Scheduled from January 29 to February 7, 2025, matches will be held at the Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex and District Sports Complex in Haldwani, featuring eight teams in each category.
Men’s Football Tournament: Defending Champions Aim to Retain Glory
The men’s football tournament will run from January 30 to February 7. Hosts Uttarakhand will be joined by the seven best teams from the 77th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy 2023-24, held in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh.
Defending gold medalists Services, who claimed victory at the 37th National Games in Goa, face stiff competition from a strong lineup of teams.
Group A comprises Goa, Uttarakhand, Mizoram, and Assam.
The group stage opens with Goa taking on Assam and Uttarakhand facing Mizoram on January 30 at the Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex.
Group B features Services, Kerala, Manipur, and Delhi, with Services beginning their title defense against Delhi and Kerala playing Manipur on the same day at the District Sports Complex.
The semi-finals are slated for February 5, where the top two teams from each group will battle for a place in the final.
The much-anticipated gold medal match will take place on February 7 at the Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex, with the bronze medal match scheduled earlier the same day.
Women’s Football Tournament: Odisha Targets Another Triumph
The women’s football tournament kicks off a day earlier, on January 29, and concludes on February 6.
Odisha, the defending gold medalists from the 37th National Games, will aim to replicate their success against tough contenders from across the nation.
The teams were selected based on their performance in the 28th Senior Women’s National Football Championship for Rajmata Jijabai Trophy 2023-24, held in Kolkata.
Group A features Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, and Odisha.
The opening matches will see Haryana face Odisha and Tamil Nadu clash with Sikkim on January 29 at the Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex.
Group B includes Manipur, Delhi, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal. These teams will begin their campaign at the District Sports Complex on the same day, with Manipur taking on West Bengal and Delhi meeting Uttarakhand.
The semi-finals are scheduled for February 4, with the gold medal match set for February 6 at the Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex.
A bronze medal match will also be played on the same day.
Detailed Draws and Schedule:
Men’s Football draws
GROUP A:
GOA, UTTARAKHAND, MIZORAM, ASSAM
Fixtures (all matches at Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex, Haldwani):
January 30: Goa vs Assam, Uttarakhand vs Mizoram
February 1: Mizoram vs Goa, Assam vs Uttarakhand
February 3: Mizoram vs Assam, Goa vs Uttarakhand
GROUP B:
SERVICES, KERALA, MANIPUR, DELHI
Fixtures (all matches at District Sports Complex, Haldwani):
January 30: Services vs Delhi, Kerala vs Manipur
February 1: Manipur vs Services, Delhi vs Kerala
February 3: Manipur vs Delhi, Services vs Kerala
Semi-finals: (both matches at District Sports Complex, Haldwani):
February 5: Winners Group A vs Runners-up Group B, Winners Group B vs Runners-up Group A
Bronze Medal Match (Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex, Haldwani):
February 7: Loser SF 1 vs Loser SF 2
Gold Medal Match (Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex, Haldwani):
February 7: Winner SF 1 vs Winner SF 2
Women’s football draws
GROUP A:
HARYANA, TAMIL NADU, SIKKIM, ODISHA
Fixtures (all matches at Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex, Haldwani):
January 29: Haryana vs Odisha, Tamil Nadu vs Sikkim
January 31: Odisha vs Tamil Nadu, Sikkim vs Haryana
February 2: Haryana vs Tamil Nadu, Sikkim vs Odisha
GROUP B:
MANIPUR, DELHI, UTTARAKHAND, WEST BENGAL
Fixtures (all matches at District Sports Complex, Haldwani):
January 29: Manipur vs West Bengal, Delhi vs Uttarakhand
January 31: West Bengal vs Delhi, Uttarakhand vs Manipur
February 2: Manipur vs Delhi, Uttarakhand vs West Bengal
Semi-finals: (both matches at District Sports Complex, Haldwani):
February 4: Winners Group A vs Runners-up Group B, Winners Group B vs Runners-up Group A
Bronze Medal Match (Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex, Haldwani):
February 6: Loser SF 1 vs Loser SF 2
Gold Medal Match (Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex, Haldwani):
February 6: Winner SF 1 vs Winner SF 2
