APFA to host 2nd International Veterans Football Tournament in Gangtok

KUNAL RAI

GANGTOK, : The All Pala Football Association (APFA), in collaboration with the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress (RTYC) Gangtok, is set to host the 2nd edition of the APFA International Veterans Football Tournament 2025. The tournament will be held from June 15 to 30 at Paljor Stadium, Gangtok.

Addressing the media here on Friday, APFA president T. Yeshi shared that the association was established in 2023 with the objective of promoting health and wellness among individuals aged 40 and above. "The word 'Pala' means 'father', and since many in this age group are football enthusiasts, we decided to organize a dedicated tournament for them," he said.

The chief patron of APFA is Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who has been a consistent supporter of the association and its initiatives since its inception.

Yeshi explained that the idea for the association took shape during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020–21, a time that underscored the importance of physical health and community well-being.

The first edition of the International Veterans Football Tournament was held in 2023 in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, and featured 14 teams. Following the success of the inaugural event, the 2025 edition was invited to Sikkim, aligning with the State's celebration of 50 years of Statehood.

This year’s tournament will feature 20 teams, including participants from various Indian States and one team from Nepal. Sikkim will be represented by three teams: Gangtok Blue, Gangtok Red, and one from Ravangla.

“It is a matter of great pride and honour for us to organize this tournament in Sikkim during such a significant milestone year,” said Yeshi. He extended heartfelt thanks to the people of Sikkim, Chief Minister PS Golay, and the State government for their support and cooperation.

Gratitude was also expressed to the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, the Sikkim Football Association (SFA), and the FDPL for their assistance in organizing the event.

The tournament will feature both league and knockout stages, with 20 teams divided into four pools of five. The top teams from each group will advance to the knockout rounds starting from the quarter-finals.

In keeping with the tournament’s focus on the 40+ age group, specific age-based participation criteria have been set. Each playing eleven must include four players aged 40–45, six players aged 46–55, and one player aged 55 or above. Substitutions will also follow the same age guidelines. The oldest registered player this year is 68 years old.

Significantly, the tournament kicks off on June 15, which coincides with Father’s Day—a symbolic alignment, as most participants are fathers themselves.

The winners will receive a cash prize of Rs 1.5 lakh, while the runner-up team will be awarded Rs 1 lakh. The entry fee per team is Rs 20,000.

RTYC Gangtok president Tenzing Tsephen, representing the host organization, also conveyed gratitude to the Chief Minister, the State government and all supporting departments.

The press conference was attended by APFA executive members, coordinators, and RTYC Gangtok officials.