Barefoot football: a unique way to celebrate Independence Day

Barefoot football is very popular among poor football enthusiasts of India since long. In 1950 India was denied participation in its maiden opportunity to play in World Cup football as they were not allowed to play barefoot. Later they never got this opportunity but a group of people mostly Tamilians from Bengaluru started barefoot football tournament to celebrate India's Independence from the British rule. 61 years back a 7 a side football tournament started in Bengaluru by the local youths and the poor football enthusiasts to celebrate the Independence Day. They didn't have the money to buy boots so played barefoot and later it has become a tradition of the tournament and named it Independence Cup also known as mini world cup. With time it gained huge popularity among the youths. Independence cup has witnessed the participation of as many as 96 teams in a year. This year due to time constrains only 46 teams participated.