GUWAHATI SPORTS ASSOCIATION
DIRECTORATE OF SPORTS & YOUTH WELFARE
BHARAT RATNA LOKAPRIYA GOPINATH BORDOLOI TROPHY 2025
Bordoloi Trophy: Assam's Premier Footbal Tournament by
Guwahati Sports Association
Where Legends Rise & Football Unites Assam!
The Bharat Ratna Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Trophy, popularly known as the Bordoloi Trophy, is one of India’s premier annual football tournaments, held in Assam. Established in 1952 by the Gauhati Town Club, the tournament is organized by the Guwahati Sports Association (GSA) and is named in honor of Bharat Ratna Gopinath Bordoloi, Assam’s first Chief Minister and a passionate advocate for sports.
Over the years, the Bordoloi Trophy has earned a reputation as a prestigious and highly competitive championship, attracting top clubs from across India and beyond.
While the tournament initially focused on clubs from Assam and the Northeast, it quickly expanded to feature elite teams from across India. Its prestige has drawn participation from international clubs, with teams from Bangladesh, Nepal, Thailand, Iran, and Uzbekistan competing in various editions.
One of the notable moments in the tournament’s history came in 2010, when Abahani Limited (Bangladesh) became the first foreign club to lift the trophy, showcasing the tournament’s growing global appeal.
280+
CLUBS
605+
MATCHES
8400+
PLAYERS
THREE PHASE TOURNAMENT FORMAT FOR 2025
1
DISTRICT ROUND
The District Round of the 2025 Bharat Ratna Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Trophy serves as the foundation of the tournament, ensuring grassroots participation and widespread engagement across Assam. With 8 clubs in each district competing in a league-cum-knockout format, this phase features an intense 525 matches, showcasing the raw talent and competitive spirit of local teams. Each district conducts its own mini-tournament, with the champion club advancing to the next stage, the Cluster Round.
2
CLUSTER ROUND
The Cluster Round is the second stage of the competition, where district-level winners compete within their designated geographical clusters. The state is divided into six clusters based on proximity, ensuring a structured and competitive framework. In this round, the winners from each district within a cluster face off against one another for the Cluster Championship. The winner and runner-up of the Cluster Round advance to the Final Round, where they compete for the ultimate championship title.
3
FINAL ROUND
The Final Round marks the pinnacle of the competition, bringing together the top contenders from each cluster to compete for the ultimate championship. The winners and runners-up from all six clusters will qualify for this prestigious stage.
To be held in Guwahati, the Final Round will follow a knockout format, where only the strongest teams will progress. The competition will feature the top two teams from each cluster, along with two wild card entries and two invited teams, all vying for the championship title. With every match being an elimination round, teams must bring their best performance to stay in the race.
Mission and Vision of Bordoloi Trophy
The vision of the tournament is to establish this competition as the premier platform for discovering and nurturing talent across the state, fostering a culture of excellence, sportsmanship, and competitive spirit. We envision a stage where the best and brightest compete, learn, and grow, setting new benchmarks for performance and teamwork. By bringing together participants from diverse backgrounds, we aim to create an inclusive and inspiring environment that celebrates skill, perseverance, and dedication.
Our mission is to provide a structured and competitive platform that identifies and promotes emerging talent while upholding the values of integrity, discipline, and fair play. Through a multi-stage competition format, we strive to ensure equal opportunities for participants from all districts, enabling them to showcase their abilities at regional, cluster, and final levels. We are committed to delivering a high-quality, professionally managed event that not only challenges participants to push their limits but also instills confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills. By engaging with educational institutions, mentors, and stakeholders, we aim to create a sustainable ecosystem that nurtures and elevates talent year after year.