Leading clubs of Mumbai will feature in the prestigious Mahindra MFL Elite Division for the Harwood League Trophy, promoted and organized by Saran Presents, that is scheduled to kick-off on September 1 at the Cooperage ground, in Mumbai.
The Mahindra MFL, as the Elite and remaining divisions will now be called, is sponsored by India's leading corporate giant Mahindra & Mahindra and will be held under the auspices of the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA).
The Mahindra MFL Elite Division will kick-off in its new avatar, beginning with sponsors Mahindra & Mahindra committed to the promotion of football, a new logo and exciting action in the season ahead.
The Mahindra MFL Elite Division includes Groups 'A' and 'B', with seven teams in each group.
Group 'A': Air India, BMFC, Central Railway, M S Police, Mumbai United (formerly H2K), Navy, ONGC.
Group 'B': Mahindra United, Western Railway, Customs, RCF, Union Bank, Bank of India, Akbar Travels.
The Mahindra MFL Elite Division league includes 42 matches and the top three teams from each group will qualify for the Play-off League. The six teams in the single-leg Play-off league will play in 15 matches and the top two will be declared winners and runners-up, respectively, for the Harwood League Trophy.
The remaining four teams will play a Relegation League.
The excitement doesn't stop at this. As part of Mahindra's, MDFA's and Saran Presents' endeavour to take Mumbai football to dizzy heights and make it more exciting for players, officials, administrators and spectators, there will be loads of exciting prizes for every player along with Man of the Match awards.
Also on the anvil is a Junior Premier League (JPL), planned and conceived by Mahindra MFL managers Saran Presents, that will include elite schools and colleges in the under-14 and under-16 age groups whose dream to play at the Cooperage will come true.
Apart from this, the Mahindra MFL Super, Senior and Division I, II, III and IV have already commenced.
Other features of the Mahindra MFL include: Free entry for all school/college students; contests for spectators; an MFL Awards Nite at the end of the tournament; Lifetime Achievement Awards; referees, officials, ground staff to be honoured.
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