Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada Football Association expects higher participation from students and supporters in this year’s Independence Cup, amid the ongoing FIFA World Cup craze. The association said that the tournament will be held from July 22 to Aug 15.DM Aslam, president, Dakshina Kannada Football Association, said the body is already receiving a large number of enquiries from student circles. He said that with the FIFA World Cup driving craze among young students, this year, more teams, mainly from the city, are likely to emerge. “Every year we are seeing a jump in participation,” he said.According to association data, participation has steadily risen: 211 teams in 2021, 218 in 2022, 219 in 2023, 223 in 2024 and 231 in 2025.Aslam said schedules for the 25-day event will be finalised soon, and team invites will be sent after a meeting of the body. Players and teams have already started early morning practice.Teams from across Dakshina Kannada, Madikeri, Udupi, and sometimes from Hassan district take part in the tournament, which culminates on Independence Day, Aslam said.Unlike last year, when matches were held in private grounds, this year they will be played on the newly built astro turf at Nehru Maidan.The tournament will feature teams from higher primary, high school, girls’ division, PUC, and degree categories. In the girls’ division, the under-14 category is for higher primary, while the high school category includes players up to 17 years.Aslam said the senior girls’ category is open from PUC to degree levels, given the high interest, and the association encourages participation. Highlighting encouragement for girls, he said several players from the association are currently playing in Bengaluru and at the national level, which is a proud moment.In the girls’ category last year, around 16 teams from high school and about nine teams from PUC and degree participated. Aslam also said the association is likely to host league matches for its 24 clubs in Dec.
