BAPS Charities organised a national 5-a-side football tournament for youths, the Yagnapurush Cup, on Saturday 14 June 2014 at the Mill Hill Power League, London.
Twenty teams and more than 120 participants from various communities across the UK joined together for an event that offered enjoyment, healthy competitiveness, and an opportunity for fostering community spirit.
The tournament began with the group matches which provided plenty of entertainment as well as talent. The top two teams from each group progressed to the quarter-finals of the Yagnapurush Cup, with the third- and fourth-placed teams being entered into the quarter-finals of the Pragji Cup.
The pick of the quarter-final matches in the Yagnapurush Cup witnessed a rejuvenated Southend-on-Sea beating last year’s runners-up Leicester 2-1 to set up a semi-final against South London A who narrowly beat another seeded team, North London A.
The semi-finals of the Pragji Cup produced two close matches settled by a single goal margin. Harrow-Brent B defeated Luton 3-2 and West London B overcame BAPS Maintenance 2-1. In the semi-finals of the Yagnapurush Cup, last year’s champions comfortably beat surprise semi-finalists Coventry 4-0. In the other semi-final, Southend-on-Sea clinched a 1-0 victory over South London A who were hampered after their star player Kiran Patel was forced off early in the game because of injury.
The final of the Pragji Cup produced seven goals, but it was a one-sided encounter as clinical finishing from Harrow-Brent B inspired a 6-1 victory against West London B.
The final of the much-coveted Yagnapurush Cup saw last year’s winners control the game with the experience of their captain and tournament top scorer Sandeep Patel at the forefront. Although Southend-on-Sea can be pleased with their effort in reaching the final, ultimately the winning post was one step too far against Harrow-Brent A who triumphed 3-0.
The popular event encouraged exercise for youths leading busy lifestyles and helped to enhance community relations between youths from various towns and cities around the country.
A breakdown of prizes is listed below:
|
YAGNAPURUSH CUP |
|
|
Winners |
Harrow-Brent A |
|
Runners-Up |
Southend-on-Sea |
|
Golden Boot |
Sandeep Patel (Harrow-Brent) |
|
Best Goalkeeper |
Mitesh Kara (Preston) |
|
PRAGJI CUP |
|
|
Winner |
Harrow-Brent B |
|
Runners-Up |
West London B |
|
Golden Boot |
Sumit Patel (West London B) |
|
Best Goalkeeper |
Himanshu Patel (Harrow-Brent B) |
