Odisha Kicks Off CM Trophy Football Championship to Foster Grassroots Talent

Bhubaneswar: The CM Trophy Football Championship has commenced across Odisha, providing a significant platform to nurture young football talent under the age of 15. Organized by the Sports and Youth Services Department in collaboration with the Football Association of Odisha, the tournament aims to promote holistic sports development and identify emerging stars from the grassroots.

The first phase of the championship is underway at 16 locations, including Angul, Balangir, Bhadrak, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Kandhamal, Kendrapara, Keonjhar, Khordha, Puri, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, and Rourkela.

Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to nurturing sports talent, stating, “Our government is dedicated to the development of sports and athletes in Odisha. By focusing on grassroots talent, we aim to build a strong foundation for future athletes. The CM Trophy serves as an excellent platform for young players to showcase their skills and strive for excellence.”

The championship will unfold in multiple phases. Initially, football clubs across districts will compete, leading to the advancement of 31 teams—30 district teams and one from Bhubaneswar—to the cluster-level stage. The cluster matches will be hosted in Sambalpur, Bhubaneswar, Jeypore, and Keonjhar.

Semi-final matches are set to take place in Jeypore and Rourkela, with the grand finale scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar.

Minister Suraj expressed confidence in the participants, believing they will bring pride and glory to the state. He highlighted that the championship reflects Odisha’s vision of strengthening grassroots sports and ensuring young athletes receive the necessary support to shine on global platforms.