Brace up for another season of thrill as HT GIFA is back with a bang
TIME FOR ACTION: This year’s HT GIFA promises to be bigger and better, and of course more competitive. It’s time to give off your best for the big prize
The Euro Championship is over, huh? If only there was something you could do while you wait for the European league season to begin. Something that would quench your appetite for football while also keeping you fit, because let’s face it, jogging is basically walking faster aimlessly. Hmmm…If only there was something.
Luckily, Hindustan Times has you covered. HT GIFA 2016, India’s largest inter-society football tournament returns this year after enjoying a huge success in 2015.
The 14-week long tournament aims to celebrate football, and this year the competition is open across all locations of Delhi-NCR.
But, hey, winning this tournament won’t be easy if last year is anything to go by. A mind-boggling 459 teams competed last year, so bringing your A-game will be crucial to those hoping to win the tournament.
With football slowly making a strong foothold in India, HT is keen to ensure it captures the spirit of the game in all its
glory.
Last year’s opening ceremony was attended by 15,000 people, which included everyone from celebrities, parents, kids, and, of course, the teams and their coaches united by one love — football.
During the tournament too, 20,000 people attended the matches across Delhi-NCR. And since this year it is open to all, expect bigger crowds with an even bigger atmosphere.
Amazing experience
“Winning last year’s HT GIFA tournament was an amazing experience and was very well organised,” Adit Aggarwal of Team DPS Senior Boys, RK Puram said. His team won in last year’s Delhi Senior team category.
A lot of parents these days are fed up of their children staying indoors, glued to their phones, tablets and video games. As a result, they never end up going out and playing team sports. The HT GIFA tournament has changed that since 2014, and did so last year too.
“Playing in HT GIFA 2015 had inculcated a sense of team spirit in me and my team-mates which has lasted till date,” said Saumye Prabhash of Team Ultimate Warriors, who won last year’s Delhi Junior team category.
In this day and age of privacy, it is a norm for many to not even know who their neighbours are. And, while it may not always be due to a lack of effort, people are just too busy with their schedules that when they get a chance to relax, they would understandably take a vacation with the family than stay at home.
“Preparing for HT GIFA really brought our whole locality together and their support and encouragement is what got us through,” said Siddhant Goel of Team Palms FC Jr. His team were the winners in 2015 in the Gurgaon Junior team
category.