CIL Cup: Kalpana Trust and Ramnagar High School Win Zonals
Kalpana Trust and Ramnagar High School Bahrampur clinch CIL Cup zonal titles in Krishnanagar, securing semifinal spots in Purulia.
The Krishnanagar zonal stage of the CIL Cup has concluded with high drama, as Kalpana Trust and Ramnagar High School Bahrampur emerged as the men’s and women’s champions, respectively. Both victorious sides have now secured their places in the highly anticipated semifinals to be held in Purulia.
Men's Final: Kalpana Trust Edges Out Baduria DKM
In a nail-biting men's zonal final, Kalpana Trust managed to overcome Baduria DKM in a tense penalty shootout. The match ended 4-3 in favor of Kalpana Trust, allowing them to lift the trophy and advance to the next stage of the tournament. Out of the 11 teams that competed in the men's category, the competition was fierce.
The final standings for the men's competition were as follows:
- Champions: Kalpana Trust
- Runners-up: Baduria DKM
- Third Place: Mejia FC
- Fourth Place: Chandmonidas Residential Football Academy
Following his standout performance, Pritam Maity was honored as the 'Player of the Match'.
Women's Final: Ramnagar High School Bahrampur Triumphs
The women's competition saw similar intensity, with Ramnagar High School Bahrampur clinching the title after a hard-fought battle against Habiba Sporting Club. Much like the men's final, the match was decided by a penalty shootout, with Ramnagar High School Bahrampur winning 4-3 to book their ticket to the semifinals in Purulia.
The women's zonal results included:
- Champions: Ramnagar High School Bahrampur
- Runners-up: Habiba Sporting Club
- Third Place: Basirhat St. XI Football Coaching Centre
- Fourth Place: Kalpana Trust
Sultana Rijia earned the 'Player of the Match' distinction for her exceptional display on the field.
The Grand Vision of the CIL Cup
The CIL Cup, an initiative spearheaded by Coal India Limited, serves as a massive platform for grassroots football development across West Bengal. By providing a structured pathway for talent, the tournament allows emerging players to showcase their skills and rise through successive levels of competition.
The scale of the tournament is immense, featuring:
- Over 1,400 teams participating in the league phase.
- More than 1,302 matches played.
- A massive pool of over 21,000 men and women players.
The journey will culminate in a Grand Finale scheduled for the last week of October in Purulia, where total prizes worth Rs 10 lakh are up for grabs.