Team from China to participate in IFA Shield

Kolkata, Feb 24 (PTI) A noted soccer club from China islikely to be seen in action in the IFA Shield footballtournament to be held here from March 11.

IFA Secretary Utpal Ganguly today said, "Negotiation ison to get a team from China to play in this year''s IFA Shield.

The club is yet to be finalised. But it will be a well-knownclub of China."

The tournament would comprise of ten teams, of which sixwould be from Kolkata, including East Bengal, Mohun Bagan,Chirag United and Mohammedan Sporting besides Salgaoncar andChurchill Brothers from Goa and Pune FC, he said.

Ganguly said the teams would be divided into two groupsof five teams each. The two top teams from each group wouldmove to the last four stage.

The champion and runners-up teams would receive a purseof Rs 10 lakhs and Rs 7 lakhs as prize money, respectively.

The final would be held on March 30.