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The Western India Football Association (WIFA) U-20 Men’s Inter-District Championship 2024-25 concluded in Lonavala with a thrilling display of young talent. Kolhapur emerged as the champions, showcasing their dominance in the final with a decisive 3-1 victory over Raigad.
The journey to the final saw intense battles, with Kolhapur demonstrating their resilience by edging past Palghar 4-3 in a nail-biting penalty shootout after a goalless full-time in the semifinals. On the other side of the bracket, Raigad displayed their attacking prowess with a commanding 8-0 win over Yavatmal in their semifinal clash. Earlier in the tournament, Kolhapur had overcome Mumbai, while Palghar had eliminated Pune in the quarter-finals, highlighting the competitive nature of the championship.
The tournament also recognized outstanding individual performances:
- Best Goalkeeper: Soham Khamkar (Kolhapur)
- Best Defender: Parth Mohite (Kolhapur)
- Best Midfielder: Dhawal Tandel (Palghar)
- Best Forward: Niranjan Gaikwad (Raigad)
- Player of the Tournament: Eashan Sartape (Raigad)
The WIFA U-20 Men’s Inter-District Championship 2024-25 provided a crucial platform for identifying and nurturing young footballing talent in Maharashtra, with Kolhapur ultimately lifting the coveted trophy after a memorable campaign in Lonavala.
