Chennai: The Schools Premier League (SPL) U-14 football tournament, getting under way at MCC School, Chetpet, on Wednesday has created a buzz. Players and coaches can’t wait for the start of the tournament, which is organised by Chennai United FC. In the opening match, MCC will take on Chettinad Vidyashram.
B. Jeba Singh, physical education teacher of MCC School, said the league would be a boon for young players. “U-14 boys don’t get enough exposure unlike those in higher age groups. This tournament is a great opportunity for U-14 players to showcase their talent. All my boys are looking forward to playing 11 vs 11 over two halves of 30 minutes each,” he said.
According to Jeba Singh, more matches for U-14 boys would also be useful for coaches to identify talent.
“This tournament will help us unearth new talent because we haven’t been paying enough attention to the U-14 category. It would be interesting to see how the players adapt to a league. From formation to physical fitness, the competition will be an acid test to all teams. School managements are enthusiastic about the league. Even during Christmas holidays, my players came for training,” he said.
The MCC PET is looking forward to locking horns with teams from other zones. “In tournaments conducted by the education tournament, we only play teams in our zone unless we progress to the next stage. In the SPL, we will be playing teams from other zones such as St. Patrick’s and Don Bosco (Perambur),” he said.
Don Bosco (Egmore) physical director Albert Sam said his team was one of the strongest in its zone.
“In the last educational year we finished first in Zone A. This time we were second. “The SPL is an important tournament for us. We have been training hard. The league format is better than knockout because good teams can put a negative result behind them and fight. I was myself a footballer, so I want to ensure that my boys do our school proud in the sport,” he said.
St. Michael’s Academy coach K. Meganathan, who is also one of the notable referees in Chennai, said the league has raised a lot of expectations.
“My players are excited because they will be playing in a league for the first time. Giving new jerseys for all teams is also a good move. Our preparations for the league started two months ago. St. Michael’s will host matches in the second leg. I have a strong team and I’m confident that we will have a crack at the title,” he added.
Fourteen teams have been divided into two groups and two teams from each pool will progress to the semifinals after a round-robin league.
Zone A: St. Bede’s, St. Michael’s, Vanavani, Velammal (Panchetti), P.S. Senior, St. Patrick’s & Don Bosco (Egmore). Zone B: Chettinad Vidyashram, Bhavans Rajaji, Don Bosco (Perambur), Wesley, Vidya Mandir, MCC and Lady Andal.
Tiruvallur chess selections on Jan. 13
The Tiruvallur District Chess Association will conduct an U-17 boys’ and girls’ tournament on January 13 at Sethu Bhaskara Mat. Hr. Sec. School, Pudur.
The players belonging to Tiruvallur district only can participate in this tournament. The players playing in this tournament will be eligible for participating in the state chess championships to be held in Rajapalayam. The players born on or after January 1, 1997 are eligible to participate. For details, contact 94447 85685.
Jr Super Kings cricket tourney from today
The third and final phase of the junior super kings inter-school T20 cricket championship will be held at Guru Nanak College in Chennai from January 8 to 11. Boys HSS, Srirangam (winners of district phase), Modern SSS (runner-up), St. Bede’s AIHSS?(winners of Chennai phase) and Santhome HSS (runners-up) will feature in the four-team league.
The top two at the end of the league stage will qualify for the final to be held on January 11. S . Badrinath will be the chief guest for the prize distribution.
Wednesday’s matches: St. Bede’s AIHSS vs Modern SSS (9am); Santhome vs The Boys HSS (Srirangam) (1pm).
