CIL Cup: Jalpaiguri Rajganj Welfare Football Academy secure zonal berth
Ambar Bhattacharya, Takmaa News, Kolkata, 13th Sept 2026 : Coal India’s continued efforts to promote grassroots football and create opportunities for emerging talent across West Bengal received another boost through the ongoing CIL Cup, as Jalpaiguri Rajganj Welfare Football Academy secured qualification for the zonal stage with a 1-0 victory over Kukur Jan Akados in the league phase in Jalpaiguri.
Jalpaiguri Rajganj Welfare Football Academy edged a closely contested encounter 1-0, with Manoj Ray named Player of the Match. The victory earned the academy its place in the zonal stage, with the Jalpaiguri league phase featuring 16 teams competing for progression to the next round.
The result adds to the growing momentum of the league phase, which is currently being played across West Bengal as teams compete for an opportunity to advance to the zonal stage. The CIL Cup is providing young footballers from across the state with a platform to compete, gain valuable match experience and showcase their potential, while supporting the wider objective of identifying talent at the grassroots level.
With the league phase continuing, the competition will now build towards the zonal stage, where the qualified teams will battle for a place in the decisive rounds. Four teams from the men’s category and four teams from the women’s category will qualify from the zonal phase for the semi-finals. The semi-finals and final will subsequently be held in Purulia, adding another significant stage to the pathway for teams progressing through the competition.
The tournament’s talent-development objective extends beyond the playing field. At the conclusion of the CIL Cup, 50–100 players will be recommended to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for scholarships, creating a potential opportunity for promising young footballers to continue their development.
With more league-phase matches still to be played across West Bengal, teams will continue to chase qualification and the opportunity to progress through the zonal stage towards the semi-finals and final. Coal India’s support for the CIL Cup is helping create a broad grassroots platform where young footballers can compete and be identified for their potential.
