The Stafford Challenge Cup is an Indian
football tournament held in
Karnataka
Karnataka ( ) is a States and union territories of India, state in the southwestern region of India. It was Unification of Karnataka, formed as Mysore State on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, States Re ...
, 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
Bengaluru, also known as Bangalore (List of renamed places in India#Karnataka, its official name until 1 November 2014), is the Capital city, capital and largest city of the southern States and union territories of India, Indian state of Kar ...
. 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
Results
References
{{Football in Karnataka
Football cup competitions in India
Football in Karnataka
1938 establishments in India
Recurring sporting events established in 1938