The Uttarakhand Super League (USL) is a top state-level football league sanctioned by both the All India Football Federation and Uttarakhand State Football Association, that represents the sport in the state of Uttarakhand.[1] The league is organized by the Uttarakhand Adventure Sports Pvt. Ltd. with the goal of promoting football throughout the state.[2] The league began in July 2016 with fourteen teams playing the inaugural season.[2][1]
 | |
| Organising body | Uttarakhand State Football Association |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2016 |
| Country | India |
| Number of teams | 14 |
| Level on pyramid | 5 |
| Promotion to | I-League 3 |
History
editIn early March 2016 it was announced that Uttarakhand Adventure Sports Pvt Limited, with permission from the All India Football Federation and the Uttarakhand State Football Association, would launch a franchise-based football league based on the Indian Super League.[1] Virendra Singh Rawat was announced as the first technical director of the league while former India international Baichung Bhutia was announced as the brand ambassador for the league.[1] According to Rawat, the league would help footballers from Uttarakhand develop: "Uttarakhand footballers will be biggest beneficiary of the USL as they will get chance to play with foreign football players. The sport will be promoted in a professional manner and each player playing in the tournament will be paid money".[1]
In June 2016 it was announced that the fourteen teams were finalized for the league, as well as the squads for the teams after a bidding process. The first edition of the USL would kick off from 10 July 2016.[needs update][3]
After the first season, Pauri Platoons emerged as the inaugural winners, defeating Nainital FC Lakes on penalties, 3–2, on 9 August 2016.[4]
Competition format
editFourteen teams are divided in two groups of seven before the top four teams from each group qualify for the finals. The qualified teams will then play until grand final to determine the champion.[5]
Teams
editThe following teams participated in Uttarakhand Super League:[6]
| Club | City |
|---|---|
| Chamoli Bugyal FC | Chamoli |
| Almora Burans | Almora |
| Dehradun Capital Rangers | Dehradun |
| Bageshwar FC Kafals | Bageshwar |
| Haridwar Ganges | Haridwar |
| Champawat Hills | Champawat |
| Pauri Platoons | Pauri |
| Corbett FC | Rudrapur |
| Rudraprayag Monals | Rudraprayag |
| Nainital FC Lakes | Nainital |
| Tehri Lions | Tehri |
| Pithoragarh Panthers | Pithoragarh |
| Uttarkashi Glaciers | Uttarkashi |
| Udhamsingh Nagar Warriors | Kashipur |
Final result(s)
edit| Season | Date | Winner | Score | Runners–up | Venue | Golden boot | Semi-finalists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 9 August | Pauri Platoons | 2–2 (3–2 pen) | Nainital FC Lakes | Pavilion Ground |  Chepko (12)
|
Dehradun Capital Rangers, Pithoragarh Panthers |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e Talwari, Gaurav (7 March 2016). "On the lines of ISL, Uttarakhand Super League to start in June". Times of India. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
- ^ a b "About Us". Uttarakhand Super League.
- ^ "Football tourney USL to kick-start on July 9, finals to be on Aug 9". DailyPioneer. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
- ^ "Pauri Platoons defeats Nainital FS in USL". Times of India. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
- ^ "Rules and Regulations", uksuperleague.com, retrieved 2 July 2016
- ^ "Standings". Uttarakhand Super League.