Minerva Public School Mohali Lifts 65th Subroto Cup Junior Boys Title in Thrilling Final

The 65th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament 2026 reached an exhilarating crescendo at the iconic Dr. BR Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi, where Minerva Public School (MPS) CISCE, Mohali, clinched the prestigious Junior Boys (U-17) championship title. In a high-voltage, action-packed title clash, the Punjab-based outfit edged past MIC EMHSS (Maqdoomiya Islamic Cultural English Medium Higher Secondary School) from Kerala with a hard-fought 3–2 victory. Organized under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence and the Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society, this year's edition once again reaffirmed its status as India's premier grassroots football nursery, unearthing exceptional young talent from the farthest corners of the nation.

Key Highlights & Major Announcements

• Championship Match: Minerva Public School (MPS) CISCE, Mohali defeated MIC EMHSS, Kerala (3–2) to win the U-17 Junior Boys title.
• Goalscorers for MPS Mohali: Chetan Tiwari (7'), Punshiba Meitei (40'), and Md Azam Khan (46').
• Goalscorers for MIC EMHSS: Thoufeeq (37') and a late strike in the 65th minute.
• Distinguished Dignitaries: Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, graced the event as Chief Guest, alongside former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina as Guest of Honour.
• Prize Money: The champions were awarded Rs 5,00,000, while the runners-up received Rs 3,00,000.
• Tournament Scale: A staggering 83 matches were played across five distinct venues in Delhi (Dr. Ambedkar Stadium, Tejas Football ground, Pinto Park Football ground, Subroto Football ground, and Rajokri Football ground).
• Other Category Winners: Saint Patrick's High School, Gumla, Jharkhand won the Junior Girls (U-17) category, while Manik Para Vivekanand Vidyapeeth, Jhargram, West Bengal claimed the Sub Junior Boys (U-15) title in Bengaluru.

Match Analysis: A Rollercoaster 90 Minutes

The summit clash lived up to its billing, offering spectators an end-to-end tactical battle blended with raw youthful exuberance. Minerva Public School seized the initiative early, stunning the Kerala side with an impeccably constructed attack that culminated in Chetan Tiwari finding the back of the net in the 7th minute. Playing with immense tactical discipline, MPS controlled the tempo for the majority of the first half.

However, MIC EMHSS demonstrated remarkable resilience. Just as the half was winding down, Thoufeeq struck a crucial equalizer during the added time of the first half (37th minute), sending the Kerala dugout into raptures and leveling the scoreline at 1–1 heading into the interval.

The second half, however, belonged entirely to the relentless offensive strategy deployed by the Mohali side. Capitalizing on defensive lapses, MPS established a commanding lead through two quick-fire goals. Punshiba Meitei restored the advantage in the 40th minute, followed swiftly by a clinical, well-placed finish from Md Azam Khan in the 46th minute, stretching the scoreline to a comfortable 3–1.

Refusing to back down, MIC EMHSS mounted a fierce late offensive. Their persistent pressure yielded a second goal in the 65th minute, narrowing the deficit to 3–2 and setting up a nail-biting finish. Despite intense waves of attacks from the Kerala outfit in the dying minutes, the MPS Mohali defense stood like a rock, successfully warding off threats until the final whistle blew.

Grassroots Football and National Pride

The final ceremony was elevated by the presence of prominent national sports icons. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff and Chairman of the Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society, presided over the closing ceremony. He was joined by former Indian cricket team stalwart Shri Suresh Raina, who inspired the young athletes as the Guest of Honour.

“Encouraging sports at the grassroots level is paramount for the nation's sporting future. Participation and the true spirit of playing are what matter most. I congratulate all participating schools, teams, sponsors, and especially the finalists for presenting such an exciting and closely contested match,” said Air Chief Marshal AP Singh during the prize distribution ceremony.

The tournament continues to fulfill its historic mandate: providing an unmatched competitive platform for school children who might otherwise lack access to professional tournament exposure. By managing 83 matches across five different venues in the National Capital Region alone, the organizers ensured seamless logistics, fair play, and an authentic multi-state competitive environment.

Beyond Delhi: Triumphs Across Categories

While the Junior Boys (U-17) finale took center stage in New Delhi, the Subroto Cup 2026 celebrated excellence across multiple demographics and regions:

• Junior Girls (U-17): Saint Patrick's High School from Gumla, Jharkhand, clinched the championship by overcoming Springfield Higher Secondary School (NCC) from Aizawl, Mizoram.
• Sub Junior Boys (U-15): Manik Para Vivekanand Vidyapeeth from Jhargram, West Bengal, emerged triumphant after a stellar campaign, defeating Kamrup Metropolitan Senior Secondary School from Assam in the finals hosted in Bengaluru.

These victories highlight the decentralized growth of football talent in India, proving that tier-2 and tier-3 towns, as well as remote districts, are rapidly becoming powerhouses of athletic excellence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who won the 65th Subroto Cup Junior Boys (U-17) 2026 title?

Minerva Public School (MPS) CISCE, Mohali, won the 65th Subroto Cup Junior Boys (U-17) title by defeating MIC EMHSS, Kerala, 3–2 in the final.

2. What was the prize money awarded to the winners and runners-up?

The winning team received a cash prize of Rs 5,00,000 (Five Lakh), while the runners-up were awarded Rs 3,00,000 (Three Lakh).

3. Who were the chief guests at the final match of the Subroto Cup 2026?

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, was the Chief Guest, and former Indian cricket team member Shri Suresh Raina attended as the Guest of Honour.

4. Which schools won the Junior Girls and Sub Junior Boys categories?

Saint Patrick's High School, Gumla, Jharkhand won the Junior Girls (U-17) category, and Manik Para Vivekanand Vidyapeeth, Jhargram, West Bengal won the Sub Junior Boys (U-15) category.

Official Source & Verification

This article is grounded on the official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India (Release ID: 2314658, Ministry of Defence). Access the official document: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2314658&lang=1.