Football tournament in 63 tea gardens on April 20

The administration in Alipurduar will host an inter-tea estate football tournament from April 20, with the move being seen as yet another strategy of Trinamul to woo the tea population ahead of rural polls.

Named the Cha Sundari Cup — in reference to Cha Sundari, the free housing scheme that Mamata Banerjee’s government launched for tea workers — the tourney will be held across various venues in the district from April 20.

“Two teams each, a men’s and a women’s team, from all 63 tea estates will participate. The idea is to encourage footballers of the tea belt. We held a meeting yesterday (Monday) on this and all persons concerned have been asked to get the playgrounds ready. There is a plan to provide cash awards, trophies and other rewards to the champion and runner-up teams,” said Surendra Kumar Meena, the district magistrate.

Sources said that the companies which own tea estates would give jerseys to their teams.

The initial football matches will be played at the block level and the finals in Alipurduar town.

“The gardens have been asked to start submitting team details from tomorrow (Wednesday),” said an official.