Speaking to mediapersons Vishwajit Kadam, the managing trustee said four second division I-League teams of the forthcoming season have confirmed their participation for the sixth edition of the Abhijit Kadam tournament.
He said these new teams will make the tournament a keen contest.
A total of 8 teams have been divided in two groups out of which the top two teams from each group will qualify for the knockout semifinals, he said.
Shillong Lajong and Sporting Clube de Goa, who figured in the elite I-League in 2009-10, add the star value while Guwahati Town Club, Assam and Golden Threads, Kerala complete the fancied team line-up, he said.
He said the Abhijit Kadam Memorial Foundation Club has been conducting the tournament under the aegis of the Pune District Football Association and the Western India Football Association and is recognised by the All India Football Federation.
The tournament, this year, has undergone a major change in its format with the knock-out format making way for a league-cum knock-out format. As a result, the eight teams are divided into two groups providing all teams a fair chance to qualify for the knock out stage, he said.
''We decided to change the format and also tried to maintain the balance by having good sides from across the country. There are teams that figured in the I-League in the past and teams that have battled qualification in the second division I-League as well,'' he added.
He further said we have eight teams in the tournament and would like to maintain this format in future too. The number of teams may be increased to ten, Kadam said.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals slated on March 5. The final to be played on March 8, he added. The winner will receive Rs 1,51000, while the runner-up will take home Rs one lakh. There will be prizes for the best player and best Goal keeper also with both getting richer by Rs 10,000 each, he added.