The Bordoloi Trophy is one of the oldest football tournaments in independent India. Now, it is again to find its way back to prominence in 2025 with an innovative format. And this is aimed at encouraging fresh talent from Assam’s districts. The tournament will begin on 20th January and run for three months, and 608 matches will be played in total.

Decentralized Format for Greater Participation – Bordoloi Trophy 2025

The Bordoloi Trophy this season has been metamorphosed from being a strictly centralized tournament into a decentralized, three-round, 15-day-long affair. The GSA hopes to increase its popularity and viability as a platform for developing football talent across the state.

Devajit Saikia, honorary general secretary of GSA and Joint Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, was of the opinion that there should be a sustainable model. He said multiple reasons, including increasing international football telecast and reformation of domestic leagues like the I League and ISL, have upset such a cherished tournament as the Bordoloi Trophy.

Reviving a Classic Tournament

“The Bordoloi Trophy has had its own set of problems in the last few years. But the sentiment attached with it got us working towards rebuilding it to ensure it is sustainable,” Saikia said. He added that for the first time, the Assam government will be providing total funding to support the tournament, making it more accessible and engaging for the players, the clubs, and fans alike.

The move goes hand in hand with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s idea of saving the football tradition in Assam. “This is a watershed moment for the iconic trophy, redesigned to attract spectators back to football fields,” said Kausar Jamil Hilaly, Secretary, State Sports and Youth Welfare Department.

 Tournament Framework and Involvement

A minimum of 5,600 players from 284 clubs and 1,120 officials will participate in the Bordoloi Trophy. Assam has been divided into 35 revenue districts, each of which will choose the best eight clubs. The clubs will have to register between 18 and 30 players by December 2024.

The districts have been further divided into six clusters based on geographical considerations.

Structure of the Tournament

District Round: January 20 to February 5

Cluster Round: 10th February to 25th February

 Final Round: Top teams from each of the clusters, along with the four best invited teams comprising Guwahati Premier League champions and runners-up

Conclusion

The new format with this Bordoloi Trophy 2025 looks to not only provide an opportunity to local talent but also rejuvenate the football culture in the state of Assam with further scope for players moving up the ranks to better competition outside the state.