CM Trophy Football Championship Kicks Off in Odisha to Nurture Grassroots Talent

CM Trophy Football Championship Kicks Off in Odisha to Nurture Grassroots Talent

Odisha’s Sports and Youth Services Department, in collaboration with the Football Association of Odisha, has launched the CM Trophy Football Championship to promote grassroots sports and identify young football talent. The tournament focuses on under-15 players, aiming to provide a platform for skill development and future opportunities.

In its first phase, the championship is being held at 16 locations, including Angul, Balangir, Bhadrak, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Kandhamal, Kendrapara, Keonjhar, Khordha, Puri, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, and Rourkela.

The tournament will progress through multiple phases. Initially, football clubs from various districts are competing locally. The next phase will see 31 teams (one from Bhubaneswar and 30 district teams) advance to the cluster level stage, divided into four clusters based in Sambalpur, Bhubaneswar, Jeypore, and Keonjhar.

Semi-finals are scheduled in Jeypore and Rourkela, with the grand finale to be held in Bhubaneswar.

Sports Minister Shri Suryabanshi Suraj emphasized the state’s commitment to fostering sports development at the grassroots level. "By nurturing young talent, we aim to create a strong foundation for future athletes. The CM Trophy is a golden opportunity for players to showcase their skills and bring pride to the state," he said.

This initiative reflects Odisha’s vision of strengthening grassroots sports, ensuring young athletes receive the necessary support to excel on global platforms.