Hyderabad, Feb 5 (.) Telangana Director General of Police B Shivadhar Reddy on Thursday reviewed the arrangements for the 74th B N Mallick Memorial All India Police Football Championship, to be hosted by the Telangana Police Department, at a meeting with senior police officers at his office.
Addressing the officers, the DGP said the prestigious tournament will be held in Hyderabad from March 23 to April 5, with 53 teams from various states and Central Armed Police Forces participating. He informed that around 2,100 players and officials are expected to take part in the championship.
He said all teams will arrive in the city on March 23, while the opening ceremony will be held at 3 pm on March 25 at the GMC Balayogi Stadium, Gachibowli. Matches will be conducted at the Gachibowli Stadium and grounds at the Telangana Police Academy, while other grounds in and around the city have been earmarked for practice sessions.
The DGP said various committees have been constituted to ensure the smooth conduct of the tournament and that accommodation and transportation arrangements have been made to ensure players face no inconvenience. The closing ceremony will be held after the final match on April 5. He also said the department is exploring the possibility of organising an exhibition football match as part of the event.
He reviewed inputs from officers who had visited Tripura, which hosted the 73rd edition of the championship last year, and clarified that teams can apply online through the All India Police Sports Control Board portal between February 10 and March 10. Emphasising the spirit of sportsmanship, the DGP said the tournament should foster unity and camaraderie among police forces across the country.
RBVRR Telangana Police Academy Director Abhilasha Bisht, Cyberabad Commissioner of Police M. Ramesh, Hyderabad Additional Commissioner of Police Tafseer Iqbal, IGP Sports Gajrao Bhupal and other senior officers attended the review meeting, according to a statement from the DGP’s office.
. VV CDS