Fourth JFA Cup U-15 football begins today

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The zonal round knockout basis matches of the 4th JFA Cup Under-15 Football Championship, organised by the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), begins today (Sunday) at eight venues across the country, reports UNB.
Opening day matches: Gazipur vs Sherpur at Jamalpur Stadium, Jhenidah vs Satkhira at Khulna Stadium, Gaibandha vs Rangpur at Dinajpur Stadium, Faridpur vs Rajbari at Manikganj Stadium and Habiganj vs Brahmanbaria at Moulvibazar Stadium.The matches will begin at 3:30pm.
A total of 59 district teams along with BKSP, split into eight zones, are taking part in the 4th version of the nationwide regular junior football meet.
The eight regional venues are -- Jamalpur, Khulna, Pabna, Bhola, Dinajpur, Moulvibazar, Manikganj and Cox's Bazar.
The eight zonal champion teams will play in the 10-team final round in Rajshahi with holders Dhaka and final round hosts Rajshahi in the first week of March.
Each team of the zonal round will be awarded Tk 9,000 as participation money and each wining team will receive Tk 4,000 as prize money. Each venue organiser will receive Tk 30,000.
Meanwhile, the participating 10 teams in the final round will receive Tk 25,000 while the four semifinalists and the two top teams in the competition will be given Tk 5000 as prize money for each match.
Of the total budget of Tk 21,09,000 lakh, sponsor Japan Football Association (JFA) provided over Tk 17,00,000 lakh (U$$ 25,000) to operate the meet.
Tournament committee chairman Abdur Rahim disclosed the details of the championship at a press conference at the BFF conference room this afternoon.
BFF Acting General Secretary Manjoor Hossain Malu, Tournament Committee Secretary AKM Nuruzzaman and BFF Media Manager Ahmed Syed AL-Fatah were present.