Pramukh Cup - National Bal Mandal 5-a-Side Football Tournament, UK & Europe

The year’s National Bal Mandal 5-a-side football tournament finally arrived for balaks on Saturday 17 July 2010. The 14th Pramukh Cup was held at Goals Soccer Centre at Perry Barr, Birmingham for the first time providing a central venue for all the participants.

Forty teams from all over the UK participated – including a team from Cambridge for the first time – with a diverse age range of players from 6 to 14 year-olds.

The tournament was inaugurated with the traditional deep pragatya in the presence of the sadhus after which Yogvivek Swami emphasised that the games should be played with the right team spirit.

The tournament began with tremendous enthusiasm and eagerness despite the wet weather. The ground was full of competitiveness but above all, alive with fun, laughter and Brotherhood. Apart from the continuous enjoyment of football, refreshments were served throughout the day for all parents and children to enjoy.

The tournament started with the group stage matches for the different age groups, followed by a refreshing lunch, and then onto the crucial knockout rounds leading up to the finals.

The quality of football was excellent with highly competitive action throughout the various age groups and equally vibrant support for all the teams.

The host team Birmingham caused a big upset in the 13-14 years age group by deservedly beating favourites Brent-Harrow to book a place the final. The teams played their finals on the same pitch allowing everyone to support the finalists creating a lively atmosphere. The finals of each age group were exciting matches and the stand-out winners were Reading B who came back from a goal down to beat Finchley A in the 10-14 years age group final to win the Pramukh Cup for the first time. Hosts Birmingham A lost to Sunday School F in a close-fought final that went to extra time.

The closing ceremony saw the presentation of awards to all the outstanding individual players as well as the winners and runners-up of each age group.

Special thanks go to Birmingham Mandal for hosting a wonderful tournament and providing excellent facilities for all the participants.