Wikipedia - IFA Shield

The IFA Shield is an annual football competition organized by the Indian Football Association, the football governing body in the Indian state of West Bengal. The IFA came into existence in 1893, and named after the association, the IFA Shield tournament was started in the same year. It is the third oldest football tournament in India, after Durand Cup and Trades Cup, and is among the oldest football competitions in the world.

History

The royal houses of Patiala and Cooch Behar, A.A. Apcar of Armenian Club and J Sutherland of Dalhousie AC had financially contributed for the inception of the Shield. The coveted shield was designed by Walter Locke & Co. (Calcutta) and constructed by Messrs Elkington & Co. (London).

Mohun Bagan, the first all-Indian side to lift the IFA Shield.

During the initial years of the competition, the IFA Shield was dominated by British Army teams and the Royal Irish Rifles defeated W.D.R.A. to lift the first IFA Shield in 1893. However, their stranglehold over the Shield was broken in 1911, when Mohun Bagan became the first all-Indian side to win the IFA Shield by defeating East Yorkshire Regiment by 2–1. That was a historic moment for Indian football as well the struggle for independence, as the natives beat the Englishmen in their own game. While the Royal Irish Rifles remains the most successful British Army side with 5 titles, East Bengal Club has won the IFA Shield a record 29 times.

The 1949 IFA Shield won by East Bengal, the most successful club in the tournament's history.

From 2015 to 2018, the IFA Shield was designed as an youth tournament wherein youth teams of all divisions were allowed to participate. The decision was taken by IFA due to busy schedule of AIFF which includes Indian Super League, I-League, I-League 2nd Division, State leagues and Super Cup among others. In 2020, the tournament was once again organised as a senior event.

印度IFA盾是一個在印度舉辦的足球錦標賽。該錦標賽由印度足球協會(IFA)主辦,吸引了來自全國各地的球隊參賽。這項比賽是印度足球界最重要的賽事之一,也是球迷們熱切期待的盛事。

印度IFA盾的比賽規模龐大,通常持續數週,各支球隊在比賽中展現出色的技巧和競爭力。這項錦標賽不僅提供了一個展示球員才華的平台,也為球迷們帶來了無數精彩的比賽時刻。

印度IFA盾的舉辦地點通常是印度各大城市的足球場,這也為球迷們提供了一個觀賞比賽的絕佳場所。觀眾們可以在現場感受到比賽的激情和緊張氛圍,並為自己支持的球隊加油助威。

這項足球錦標賽不僅在印度國內享有盛譽,也吸引了國際球隊和球員的關注。許多優秀的印度球員在這個舞台上嶄露頭角,並有機會被國際球會相中。

總之,印度IFA盾是一個引人入勝的足球錦標賽,為球迷們帶來了無數精彩的比賽時刻,同時也展示了印度足球的實力和潛力。無論是球迷還是球員,都對這個盛事充滿期待,並期望在比賽中見證足球的魅力。