BAPS Charities organised its national 5-a-side football tournament for youths, the Yagnapurush Cup, on Saturday 11 June 2016 at Goals Wembley, London.
The competition brought together 18 teams and more than 100 enthusiastic participants from local communities across the UK to promote healthy competitiveness and community spirit.
The top two teams from the opening group matches progressed to the quarter-finals of the Yagnapurush Cup, and the remaining teams entered the quarter-finals of the Pragji Cup.
The pick of the Yagnapurush Cup quarter-finals was between last year’s winners Leicester A and North London A. The Londoners prevailed 2-1 in a tightly contested match.
The semi-finals of the Pragji Cup produced two entertaining matches, both ending in 3-1 victories for BAPS Maintenance and Preston Spartans against East London and Ashton, respectively. In the semi-finals of the Yagnapurush Cup, Harrow A beat North London A 2-1 in a north-London derby and South London A were 3-0 winners against South London C, having overcome fellow South London team B in the quarter-finals.
The final of the Pragji Cup was a one-sided affair with BAPS Maintenance cruising to a 6-1 victory over Preston Spartans.
The final of the coveted Yagnapurush Cup was contested between South London A and Harrow-Brent A. After a tense start, the crucial opening goal was scored midway through the first half by Pratik from a delicate reverse pass by South London A’s captain Ambrish.
Despite their efforts, Harrow-Brent A, captained by top-scorer Sandeep, could not breach a defence marshalled by Dharit and Kiran, and with last year’s best goalkeeper Bhavin in top form again. The match was settled with two more goals, both assisted by the tenacious Kiran, allowing Ambrish and Pratik to score with neat finishes to complete a comfortable 3-0 victory. South London A secured the trophy without conceding a goal throughout the tournament.
The popular event encouraged exercise for youths leading busy lifestyles and helped to enhance community relations between people from various towns and cities around the country. The event concluded with individual and team award presentations.
|
Trophy |
Awardee |
|
Yagnapurush Cup Winners |
South London A |
|
Yagnapurush Cup Runners-Up |
Harrow-Brent A |
|
Yagnapurush Cup Golden Boot |
Sandeep Patel (Harrow-Brent A) |
|
Yagnapurush Cup Best Goalkeeper |
Bhavin Patel (South London A) |
|
Trophy |
Awardee |
|
Pragji Cup Winners |
BAPS Maintenance |
|
Pragji Cup Runners-Up |
Preston Spartans |
|
Pragji Cup Golden Boot |
Niral Vekaria (BAPS Maintenance) |
|
Pragji Cup Best Goalkeeper |
Mitesh Kara (Preston Spartans) |
