Rashtrapati Bhawan gets a football league of its own

For the first time, a football tournament is to kick off among the staff and officials on the field of the Rajendra Prasad School inside the Presidential estate. Five teams will first compete against each other in a league stage and then the top two teams will play the final, officials said.

The world cup fever may be over for many but it is still resonating the halls of the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

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For the first time, a football tournament is to kick off among the staff and officials on the field of the Rajendra Prasad School inside the Presidential estate. Five teams will first compete against each other in a league stage and then the top two teams will play the final, officials said.

PS Heroes, HH Youngs, PBG Warriors JKLi Daredevils and RB Press Panthers will represent the President’s secretariat, household staff, bodyguards, Jammu and Kashmir light infantry and printing department.

The tournament is being hosted as part of the larger exercise of the Rashtrapati Bhawan to promote sports and encourage the participation of its officials and staff.

This football league will kick start on August 23. The final will be played on September 7 where the President himself may watch the match and distribute prizes.

Last year, a cricket league was started by the President with the interest of promoting sports.

Mukherjee himself is an avid football fan. He had initiated it in the memory of his father, freedom fighter Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee in his erstwhile political fiefdom of Jangipur. Although the President’s connect with Jangipur is now limited given the restrictions due to security and presidential protocols, he never fails to visit the rural belt to associate with the tournament.