The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
PARADIP, FEBRUARY 12, 2025
The 46th edition of the All India Major Ports Football Championship 2024-25 kicked off in grand style at the Gopabandhu Stadium in Paradip on Wednesday. The tournament, featuring eight major ports, began with great enthusiasm as the inaugural match saw the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) take on the Visakhapatnam Port Authority in what promises to be a thrilling contest.
AK Bose, Advisor for Traffic at Paradip Port, had the honour of inaugurating the event, marking the beginning of a 5-day sports extravaganza. In his opening address, Bose emphasized the importance of fostering sportsmanship and teamwork among the major ports and highlighted the significance of such events in promoting a healthy and competitive spirit.
The tournament will follow a league-cum-knockout format, where the teams will compete in an initial round-robin league phase, leading to knockout matches as the competition progresses. The event is expected to run until February 16, 2025, with teams battling for supremacy in a high-octane display of footballing talent.
This prestigious event is being organized jointly by the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) and the Major Ports Sports Control Board, reflecting their commitment to nurturing sports talent within the major ports and contributing to the development of football at the national level.
The inaugural ceremony also saw the presence of notable dignitaries, including DN Sondhi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, who presided over the proceedings. Dr. DP Sethy, Secretary, Rabi Dash, Coordinator, and Ranjan Rashmi Beura, Joint Secretary of the Organizing Committee, were also in attendance, adding to the occasion’s grandeur.
The championship, which will bring together teams from some of India’s major ports, promises to showcase exhilarating football action, strengthening camaraderie and healthy competition among the participating ports. Fans and sports enthusiasts are expected to witness an exciting week of sport as the teams vie for the coveted title of the 46th All India Major Ports Football Champion.
The opening match, PPA vs. Visakhapatnam Port, was just the beginning of what is expected to be an exciting journey for football in the major ports.
