Odisha Deputy CM Advocates for Permanent Kalinga Super Cup in Indian Football

Push for Kalinga Super Cup's Permanent Status

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], May 3: The Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, has expressed his desire for the Kalinga Super Cup to be established as a regular event in the Indian football calendar, following its successful execution in Bhubaneswar.

Singh Deo praised the state administration for successfully hosting this significant national football tournament in Odisha.

“I extend my congratulations to the Sports Secretary and the Odisha government for bringing the All India Football Federation to Bhubaneswar for the Kalinga Super Cup,” he remarked.

Emphasizing the necessity of consistency in hosting such prestigious tournaments, the Deputy Chief Minister highlighted the importance of strategic planning and institutional backing.

“This tournament should be an ongoing event, and I will discuss with the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary to ensure its annual occurrence,” he noted.

Odisha has positioned itself as a center for Indian football, boasting top-notch infrastructure.

The final match will see the 2019 champions, FC Goa (FCG), face off against first-time finalists, Jamshedpur FC (JFC), at the Kalinga Stadium on Saturday.

The victorious team will secure a spot in the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Round.

FC Goa aims to become the first team to win this trophy twice while also looking to break a four-year absence from continental competitions. Their only appearance in Asia was during the 2021 AFC Champions League.

Conversely, Jamshedpur FC is venturing into new territory, having reached their first final in any competition in the club's eight-year history after overcoming two semi-final defeats in the Super Cup. After narrowly missing out on the AFC Champions League qualification in 2023, the Men of Steel now have a prime opportunity to secure their first ticket to Asia.

This match will mark the fourth encounter between FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC in the Super Cup, making it the most frequently contested fixture in the tournament's history. Given the previous three matches, which saw an impressive total of 21 goals, fans can expect an exciting showdown on Saturday.

FC Goa triumphed in both quarter-final matches during the 2018 and 2019 editions, winning 5-1 and 4-3, respectively. However, in the 2023 group stage held in Kozhikode, Jamshedpur FC emerged victorious with a score of 5-3.

This season in the ISL, Jamshedpur managed to defeat Goa twice, with scores of 2-1 in Fatorda and 3-1 at their home ground.