The Lokopriyo Bordoloi Trophy used to be one of the
most-talked-about football tournaments in the country - a tournament the
country’s top football clubs looked forward to with great deal of excitement
every year. The Bordoloi Trophy soared in popularity in the sixties, seventies,
eighties prompting the who’s who of Indian football to descend on Guwahati
every year just to be part of this prestigious tourney.
The local challenge was spearheaded by the Assam
Police team, which became the darling of the home fans and attained ‘celebrity’
status during that time. The manner in which Assam Police outwitted Kolkata’s
Mohammedan Sporting and Goa’s Dempo Sports Club to win the 1971 and 1981
Bordoloi Trophy editions is still talked about with great pride even today.
No one can deny the fact the Bordoloi Trophy got a
massive ‘lift’ from the regular presence of the ‘Big 3’ from Kolkata – Mohun
Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting. In fact, Kolkata clubs made it a
habit to lay their hands on the Bordoloi Trophy. Mohun Bagan hit a purple patch
in the seventies - winning the tournament four times in a row – 1974, 1975,
1976 and 1977 editions, and till date has the record of winning the tournament
on most occasions – seven times.
Even Mohammedan Sporting and East Bengal maintained
Kolkata clubs’ stranglehold on the Bordoloi Trophy, cornering glory five times.
In the mid-sixties, Aryan Club also won the tournament twice on the trot. How
can we forget Khidderpore Sporting Union and Eastern Railway SC? They, too, won
the coveted title once.
The profile of the Bordoloi Trophy was further
beefed up by the participation of foreign teams. Bangkok Port Authority
(Thailand) was the one of the standout foreign teams – winning the crown thrice
besides a solitary runners-up finish. Iranian club Esteghal also showcased
their skills in the tournament, winning the 1989 edition. Uzbekistan-based
Narbakhar Club stamped their authority in the 1998 edition when they humiliated
TRAU, Imphal 10-1 – the biggest victory margin in a Bordoloi Trophy final.
Even in the nineties, big clubs did take part in the
Bordoloi Trophy but their presence paled in comparison to the earlier three
decades, as only handful of biggies turned up. The 2001 and 2007 wins of Mohun
Bagan and Port Authority of Thailand only underline the behind-the-scenes role
played by the organizers to pull in crowd-pulling teams.
One is not sure whether the timing of the Bordoloi
Trophy has anything to do with its dipping popularity. Most of the top teams
are busy playing in the I-league or other major domestic tourneys, conveniently
giving the Bordoloi Trophy a miss. It is easy to fathom that the organizers face
a herculean task landing major sponsors for this tournament and lack of
sponsors coupled with the tournament’s timing could be the roadblocks towards
enhancing its profile in recent years.
Rewind to the present: The recently-concluded 2012
Bordoloi Trophy was a sad as well as a frustrating reminder of the tournament’s
glorious past. Like the 2011 edition (Royal Wahingdoh defeated Langsning Club
in an all-Shillong affair), this year’s edition was also an all-Northeast
affair. This year, the tournament earned a dubious distinction – the
non-participation of the Assam Police team for the first time in its 61-year
history.
For the statistically-minded, Oil India Limited FC,
Duliajan won the 2012 Bordoloi Trophy for the third time, easing past Assam
Rifles, Tezpur 4-1. OIL’s earlier wins came in 1990 and 2008. Assam Rifles’
lone Bordoloi Trophy win came in 1964 and they settled for a bridesmaid finish
for the fifth time this year – jointly holding the most runners-up record with Mohammedan
Sporting.
Surely, the pomp and fervor with which the Bordoloi
Trophy used to be conducted in the 60s, 70s and 80s appears to be a thing of
the past. Now, the staging of this tournament seems more like a mere formality than
anything else.
The sorry state of affairs throws up one crucial
question: Can we hope to see the Bordoloi Trophy relive its earlier golden
days? Only time will tell!
13 comments:
Nice read and quite informative. Keep up the good work.
It really shows the sad state of Indian Football. Hope the organizers recovers from their slumber to steady the ship.
To speak the truth I never knew that this tournament is still going on. I dont think this was even relayed in any of the sports channels. With the advent of Satellite/Cable TV, we are now exposed to top class football day-in & day out. Comparatively the Indian scenario is pathetic and no one (including myself who will sit up till mid night to watch the UEFA, La-Liga & EPL) finds the slow, mindless Indian Football half as good. The only solution is developing some true talent, taking it beyond the Bengal, Goa & Kerala boundary & creating interest at national level with teams representing every state or big city (something like IPL). Medai also needs to be involved in this in a big way
Durand Trophy. Do people still remember it?
Only we football fan remembers this. Everyone should give their interest. Anyway nice blog to read.
Informative,as always.Though with many tournaments going on,do we need more?Emphasis has to be on Quality than Quantity.
apart from a few, all other football tournaments in India are facing the same fate. and to top it, AIFF is a confused identity.
The indian football scenario is going through changes right now. The AIFF though is yet to comply with AFC requirements in its totality and make it a truly professional league. In the evolving scenario I do not think that its possible to keep so many of the old tournaments alive as the same may not be viable. Without a break in d league calendar no top tier team would be willing to participate in it as such. Don't know what the AIFF thinks though as they need to step in for any hope.
Bhargav/Joseph/LeenaTechguy/Arin/rikkitikkitavi/Angad/Pranesh: thanks so much for your valued comments.
AIFF shud look to find a way to keep the tourneys like Bordoloi Trophy, Rovers Cup among others alive.
Hey Suhrid,
Assam Police reminded me about Kerala Police! where is that team these days?
regards
LL
lawry: priorities of these police teams lies elsewhere..........it seems
Rightly written, but would like to put light on d fact dat partly development of football in country f billion z not problematic, d problem lies with d thinking f people...we say we want infian football to b at d level of premier league or la liga, but we all are neglecting the fact that rome was not built in a day(example) + d development could nly happen bcz ppl were intrested n supported it...nt like in india where sadly half d people dont even know wats happening with indian football but dey know everything about foreign clubs or leagues..#my opinion...
Time to reboot? The way the tournament is organised, location, participants, sponsors, publicity, prize money etc? Seems like a case ripe for infusion of fresh blood.......
Post a Comment