Kotdwar. The eight day long Garhwal Cup Football Tournament organized by Shashidhar Bhatt Smriti Khel Sanstha at Government Sports Stadium Kotdwar started with a colourful ceremony on Sunday. Two league matches were played on the first day. In the opening match, Kanva City Kotdwar defeated Areva Noida. The second league match played between Corbett FC Rudrapur and Doon City FC ended in a draw.The tournament was inaugurated as the chief guest by Lansdowne MLA Mahant Dilip Rawat after introducing himself to the players of both the teams. The inaugural league match was played between the teams of Kanva City Kotdwar and Areva Noida. In the 17th minute of the first half, Alankrit Negi of Kanva City Kotdwar scored a goal and gave his team a 1-0 lead. In the 21st minute, Vivek Rawat scored the second goal in a penalty. In the 35th minute of the first half, Akul converted the penalty kick into a goal and gave his team a 3-0 lead. The team of Areva Noida tried to score a goal in the second half, but did not succeed. In this way, Kanva City won the match by a margin of 3-0.The second league match was inaugurated by Bal Bharti School’s Principal Giriraj Singh Rawat. In the 21st minute of the first half of the match between Doon City FC and Corbett FC Rudrapur, Deepak from Doon City FC scored a goal and gave his team a 1-0 lead. In the 77th minute of the second half, Vasa from Corbett FC scored a goal and brought his team to a 1-1 draw. The match was a draw. Shivam, Prakhar, Rohit were the referees. Meharban Singh Negi and Surdeep Gusain did the commentary. At the time of inauguration, school children presented yoga and colourful programmes.

Special guests were outgoing chairman of Mandi Samiti Suman Kotanala, president of the organization Arun Bhatt, secretary of District Football Association Pauri Sunil Rawat, Colonel Chandripal Patwal, Birendra Singh Rawat, Gopal Jasola and Anil Baluni etc.

Monday’s matches

First league match between New Darbar Tehri vs Areva Noida at 11 am.

Second league match between District Football Association Pauri vs Corbett FC Rudrapur at 1 pm.