On Saturday 12 July 2025, BAPS Charities hosted the Pramukh Cup, a national children’s football tournament, at Gibbons Recreation Ground, opposite BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London.
The event saw a remarkable turnout, with 63 teams travelling from across the UK – including from Manchester and Leeds – to take part in a day of competitive and friendly football.
The tournament opened with a special ceremony that highlighted its history and the importance of unity and teamwork, setting the tone for the day ahead.
This year, we were thrilled to welcome special guests from the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA). Coaches and players joined us, not just to watch the incredible talent on display, but to lead exciting skills workshops with the children, helping them build confidence, develop new techniques, and spark even more passion for playing football. We are incredibly grateful for their time, energy, and ongoing commitment to inspiring young people and showing how sport can bring everyone together.
The children were organised into three age groups: the Ghanshyam Cup for school Years 2 to 3, the Nilkanth Cup for school Years 4 to 6, and the Pramukh Cup for school Years 7 and 8.
As the matches unfolded under warm summer skies, players showed incredible skill and determination. The sidelines were full of enthusiastic parents, volunteers, and animated coaches, creating a vibrant and supportive atmosphere. One of the standout moments was a display of true sportsmanship, where a team on the attack offered to stop play when an opposition player was down injured, so the other team was not at a disadvantage.
Once the group stages concluded, the tournament progressed into the knockout rounds, where the intensity rose with thrilling goals, penalty shootouts, and match-saving heroics.
In the Ghanshyam Cup final, East London F took an early lead, but Luton A grew stronger as the game progressed and eventually secured a 3-1 victory.
The Nilkanth Cup final was a closely contested game between Watford C and South-East London B. After a tense back-and-forth match, Watford C managed to break the deadlock and held on to win.
The final match of the day was the Pramukh Cup final, where London Mandir T faced Watford B. With both teams showcasing excellent talent, the game ended 1-1 in regular time. In the ensuing penalty shootout, London Mandir T kept their composure to emerge victorious.
With over 300 goals scored, the tournament concluded with a closing ceremony alongside the Neasden Temple Summer Fair, celebrating not just the winners but also the sportsmanship, teamwork, and unity demonstrated by all participants.
The Pramukh Cup 2025 was a memorable day for players, families, and spectators – a true celebration of community and the joy of football.
Below is a summary of the awards:
| Cup (Age Group) | Winners | Runners Up |
| Ghanshyam Cup (6-8) | Luton A | East London F |
| Nilkanth Cup (9-11) | Watford C | South-East London B |
| Pramukh Cup (12-14) | London Mandir T | Watford B |
