Date:25/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/25/stories/2008042557042100.htm

Sport - Football

J & K to face Puducherry in opener

Srinagar: Host Jammu and Kashmir will cross swords with Puducherry in the inaugural match of the 62nd Santosh Trophy football tournament on May 25 when the National championship returns to Jammu and Kashmir after 30 years.

The match will take place at Bakshi Stadium here, the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association President Z.A. Thakur told reporters here on Thursday. The State had hosted the championship way back in 1978.

All arrangements have been made for the championship in which 27 teams, including champion Punjab and runner-up Bengal, will vie for honours.

The teams have been divided into eight pools and matches will be played at the Bakshi Stadium, Polo Ground in Kashmir and Science College Grounds, Jammu. “We will do our utmost to make the championship a success in all respects,” he added. — PTI