The 20th Administrator’s Challenge Cup All India Football Tournament (Under-17 Boys), organised by the Sports Department, Chandigarh Administration, concluded today with a closing ceremony after being held from January 20 to January 28, 2026. The Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, attended the ceremony, congratulated the winning team, and commended all participating teams for their discipline, competitive spirit and sportsmanship.
Addressing the event, the Administrator said that such tournaments play an important role in nurturing young talent and promoting values like teamwork and discipline. He appreciated the efforts of the Sports Department Chandigarh, organisers, coaches, officials and volunteers, and reaffirmed the Chandigarh Administration’s commitment to promoting sports and physical fitness.
He said that sports build strong willpower and physical fitness, and help break cultural barriers and promote unity along with brotherhood. Highlighting Chandigarh’s contribution to Indian football, he expressed pride that Indian team captain Shri Gurpreet Singh Sandhu hails from the city and inspires young players, while noting the Central Government’s focus on sports promotion and congratulated all teams for their commendable performance.
Ms. Prerna Puri, Sports Secretary, Chandigarh Administration said that the tournament was started in 2002 by Late Lieutenant General (Retd.) J.F.R. Jacob to provide a national platform for identifying and nurturing young football talent, adding that its continued success reflects the strength of this vision.
This year, 17 teams from across the country participated in the tournament, including teams from Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Maharashtra and Telangana, along with Chandigarh Football Academy and Minerva Academy FC, Mohali.
The Administrator also commended and felicitated the top four teams for their outstanding performance in the tournament. Prize money, along with trophies and certificates, was awarded as follows:
• 1st Position: District Football Association, Panchkula - ₹3 lakh
• 2nd Position: Chandigarh Football Academy - ₹2 lakh
• 3rd Position: Dashmesh Football Academy - ₹1 lakh
• 4th Position: Minerva Football Academy - ₹50,000
Also present during the occasion were Shri Sanjay Tandon, Chairman, Sports Sub-Committee, Administrator’s Advisory Council; Shri Saurabh Kumar Arora, Director Sports, U.T. Chandigarh; and other officials of the Chandigarh Administration.