The Stafford Challenge Cup is an Indian football tournament held in Karnataka, organized by the Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA). Instituted in 1938, it is the oldest football tournament in South India. The tournament was abolished in 1993, but was revived in 2023.
History The Stafford Challenge Cup was introduced by Staffordshire Regiment in 1938 in Bengaluru. They also donated the silver rolling trophy. Bangalore Muslim Club was the first Indian club to win it in 1941.
In 1990, the Iraqi Olympic team won the tournament but didn't return the trophy since the cup was lost during the Gulf War. It was held for the then-last time in 1993, before the revival 30 years later.
Venue The older edition matches used to be held at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and Vyalikaval Ground. The revived edition is held at Bangalore Football Stadium.
Awards Award namePrize moneyChampions₹ 2,50,000Runners-up₹ 1,50,000
Results YearWinnersScoreRunners-upNotes1938 Wiltshire Regiment1939 Wiltshire Regiment1941Bangalore Muslim ClubHyderabad City Police1942Bangalore Sporting 1943Mysore Rovers1944Sullivan Police 1945Sullivan Police1946Sullivan Police1947Sullivan Police1948Sullivan Police1949Sullivan Police1952Hindustan Aeronautics Limited1954Binny Mills1956Bangalore Blues1957LRDE1958Mysore State Police1961Mysore State Police1964Howrah Union1966MEG & C1967CIL1968Mohammedan Sporting1970Mohammedan Sporting1971CIL1972Orkay Mills1–0A.S.C. Centre (South), Bangalore1973Vasco1974Orkay Mills1975Dempo and Orkay Mills (joint winners) – 0–01979Dempo2–0ITI1980 Al-Shabab4–2ITI1981East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting (joint winners)1982 Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya1–0Mohun Bagan1984 Al-Talaba3–0Salgaocar1986East BengalDempo1987Salcete FC1990 Iraq Olympic1991Mohammedan Sporting1993ITI2–1Union Bank of India, Mumbai1994–2022Tournament not held2023Bengaluru United2–1Chennaiyin (R)
References