DGP reviews preparations for All India Police Football Championship in Hyderabad

Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) B. Shivadhar Reddy on Wednesday reviewed the arrangements for the 74th B.N. Mallik Memorial All India Police Football Championship, which is set to be hosted by the Telangana Police Department in Hyderabad.

During a meeting with senior police officers at his office, the DGP took stock of the preparations being made for the national-level tournament in a befitting manner. He said the championship would be held in the city from March 23 to April 5 and would see participation from 53 teams representing various states and central armed police forces from across the country.

According to the DGP, around 2,100 players and officials are expected to take part in the tournament. All participating teams will arrive in Hyderabad on March 23, while the opening ceremony is scheduled to be held at 3 p.m. on March 25 at the GMC Balayogi Stadium in Gachibowli.

He informed officials that grounds across the city had been inspected and earmarked for matches and practice sessions. While select grounds have been allocated for competition matches, others will be used for team practice. Matches will be hosted at venues including the Gachibowli Stadium and the Telangana Police Academy grounds.

The DGP said multiple committees had been constituted to ensure the smooth conduct of the championship, with special attention given to accommodation and transportation arrangements so that participating teams do not face any inconvenience. The closing ceremony will be held after the final match on April 5.

He also said the department was exploring the possibility of organising an exhibition football match as part of the event. During the review, the DGP sought inputs from officers who had visited Tripura, which hosted the 73rd edition of the B.N. Mallik All India Police Games last year.

Speaking about the participation process, he said teams wishing to compete can apply online through the official portal of the All India Police Sports Control Board between February 10 and March 10. He emphasised that the championship should be conducted with professionalism to promote sportsmanship and unity among police forces across the country.

The review meeting was attended by R.B.V.R.R. Telangana Police Academy Director Abhilasha Bisht, Cyberabad Commissioner of Police M. Ramesh, Hyderabad Additional Commissioner of Police Tafseer Iqbal, Inspector General of Police (Sports) Gajrao Bhupal, among others.