Will Represent J&K at India’s Premier Int’l Inter-School Football Tournament
Budgam | Aug, 04: Sanctorum Public School, Sopore has qualified for the U-17 National Finals of the 65th Subroto Mukherjee Cup 2026. With this remarkable achievement, the school has earned the honour of representing the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir at one of the world’s most prestigious international inter-school football tournaments.
The Subroto Mukherjee Cup is among the oldest and most celebrated school football competitions in the world, bringing together champion school teams from across India along with participating teams from several countries. Every year, thousands of schools compete for the coveted opportunity to reach the National Finals.
For Sanctorum Public School, this qualification is the realization of a dream pursued over the last three seasons. Despite falling short in previous campaigns, the school continued to strengthen its grassroots football programme, believing that dedication, discipline and consistent effort would eventually lead to success. This year, that determination has been rewarded.
Sanctorum’s journey began with a dominant performance in the Zonal Championship, defeating Budding Bloom School 6-0, HS Kreeri 3-0, and overcoming HSS Wagoora 4-2 in a penalty shootout to lift the zonal title.
The team then progressed to the District Championship, where it defeated NIPS Shopian 8-0, played out a 0-0 draw against KVS Budgam, defeated High School Bugam, Ganderbal 2-1, registered a 3-0 victory over Anantnag, and once again defeated KVS Budgam 3-0 in the final to become District Champions.
The decisive challenge came in the Divisional Finals against APS Samba. Sanctorum displayed outstanding football by winning the first leg 2-0 before producing a commanding 4-0 victory in the second leg, securing qualification with a 6-0 aggregate score.
Across the tournament, Sanctorum remained unbeaten, playing 10 matches, winning 9, drawing 1, scoring 35 goals, conceding only 3, and keeping 7 clean sheets.
The 65th Subroto Mukherjee Cup U-17 National Finals will commence from 15 September 2026 in New Delhi, where Sanctorum Public School will proudly represent Jammu & Kashmir against champion school teams from across the country and participating international teams.
As the countdown to the National Finals begins, the hopes and blessings of Sopore, District Baramulla and the entire Jammu & Kashmir travel with the young footballers of Sanctorum as they prepare to compete on one of the biggest school football stages in the world.
