The stage is set for an epic showdown as the Santosh Trophy 2023-24 Final Rounds gear up to take Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, by storm. Football enthusiasts are bracing themselves for an exhilarating display of skill and determination as the nation’s top teams battle it out for glory in one of India’s most prestigious football tournaments. With the announcement by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirming Itanagar as the host city, excitement has reached fever pitch among fans and players alike. From February 21 to March 9, the footballing spotlight will shine brightly on this scenic city, as twelve teams from across the country compete for ultimate supremacy.
Following a thrilling draw held in November, the teams have been divided into two fiercely contested groups. Group A, hosted by the Goa Football Association, features heavyweights like Kerala and Goa, along with spirited challengers from Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, and the host state, Arunachal Pradesh. Meanwhile, Group B, under the auspices of the Punjab Football Association, promises no shortage of drama with powerhouses such as Punjab and West Bengal locking horns with contenders from Haryana, Odisha, Delhi, and the emerging footballing force of Ladakh.
In Group C, hosted by the Uttar Pradesh Football Sangh, teams from Manipur, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Nagaland, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh will battle it out for a coveted spot in the knockout stages. Notably, Arunachal Pradesh, as the host for the Final Rounds, has been granted exemption from the Group Stage, allowing the state to focus solely on preparing to make a statement on their home turf.
