Lucknow | The eighth edition of the Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Memorial Football Tournament was formally inaugurated in Lucknow on Monday, commemorating the legacy of renowned freedom fighter and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna.
The tournament was inaugurated by Pramod Sharma, Member, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, who emphasized the importance of sports in promoting discipline, teamwork, and youth engagement while paying tribute to Bahuguna’s enduring contribution to public life and national service.
The opening match of the tournament was played between LDA and RA Boys, in which RA Boys delivered a dominant performance. Yash put RA Boys ahead with two quick goals in the 21st and 23rd minutes, giving his team a 2–0 lead at halftime. In the second half, Janmejay scored in the 31st minute, followed by Deepak’s goal in the 45th minute, sealing a convincing 4–0 victory for RA Boys. LDA failed to register a goal in the match.
With this emphatic win, RA Boys advanced to the next round of the tournament.
Earlier, the chief guest Pramod Sharma was felicitated with bouquets by Mahesh Valmiki, the chief organizer of the tournament, Mohammad Nadeem, the organizing secretary, Kanhaiya Lal, Secretary of the Lucknow Football Association, along with Vivek Upadhyay.
Several dignitaries were present on the occasion, including BJP leader Shiv Shankar Prajapati, Vivek Sharma, and Vivek Upadhyay, adding to the significance of the event.
The Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Memorial Football Tournament has become a regular fixture in Lucknow’s sporting calendar, providing a competitive platform for local teams while honoring the memory of a leader who played a pivotal role in India’s freedom movement and post-independence governance.
