Coke`s `inter-para` tourney concludes in Kolkata

Coke's 'inter-para' tourney concludes in Kolkata
By SportzPower Team
Published: 22 Jul 2010 - 18:29
MUMBAI: In a bid to promote football and identify promising talent at the grassroots level, Coca-Cola India recently organised a month long inter-para
(neighborhood) football tournament in Kolkata in partnership with Kolkata Police called 'Kolkata Police - Coca-Cola Friendship Cup'.
The 'Kolkata Police-Coca-Cola Friendship Cup' was lifted by Mohun Bagan Fans Club.
The felicitation ceremony was attended by Coca-Cola India VP-Marketing Ricardo Fort, legendary Brazilian footballer Romário de Souza Faria along
with West Bengal state government MIC Sundarban affairs and sports Kanti Ganguly, Commissioner of Kolkata Police Gautam Mohan Chakraborty and
Mahuaa Media Private Limited Chairman & MD P.K Tewari. Also present at the event was Padmashree Awardee and Former Indian Football Player,
Pradeep Kumar Banerjee.
“Coca-Cola India has always believed in promoting a healthy, active lifestyle through sports. Our partnership with Kolkata Police is an extension of the
company's worldwide focus on football. The Coca-Cola Company has been the official sponsor of the Fifa World Cup that began in 1978. We believe
that great football talent exists in Kolkata. However, the need is to tap budding talent and nurture them well to bring them up to the international
standards,” Ricardo Fort said.
The Kolkata Police-Coca-Cola Friendship Cup is an inter-para tournament, which was played for over a month from 11 June till 20 July. Played across
462 paras (neighborhood) in Kolkata the tournament saw participation of more than 6,000 footballers.
All matches involving 600 para teams were played in 7A Side / 9A Side /11A Side format. The winning and the runner-up teams were awarded a cash
prize of Rs.40,000 each.
1/2
Adding further Ricardo said, “Initiatives such as the Kolkata Police-Coca-Cola Friendship Cup are part of the same endeavor. This innovative initiative
has been designed to not only promote football as a sport, but also bring people together and share their passion for the game. I would also like to
congratulate Mohun Bagan Fans Club team for winning the finals and extend my congratulations to rest of the teams for making this tournament a
huge success.”
As part of a special musical performance, the Kolkata Police music band replicated the true spirit of the Fifa World Cup 2010 by performing its official
anthem 'Waaka Waaka'. The felicitation ceremony also saw some football fans sharing a Kodak moment with ace Brazilian Footballer, Romário de
Souza Faria.
Coca-Cola India is also sponsoring the Mir Hussain Iqbal Trophy, the All India Football Federations grassroot level initiative. Besides, it also organised a
grassroot level football tournament in Goa prior to the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
2/2