The first-ever professional football event, Climate Football Cup 2023, kicks-off today, in Ladakh, India. The seven-day long football sporting event is being held at an altitude of 11000 ft at Open Astroturf Stadium at Spituk, Leh. The event will continue from September 1- 7, 2023.
‘Climate Cup 2023’ football tournament, is India’s first zero polythene, minimal waste football event featuring teams from Ladakh as well as from other national clubs. Delhi Football Club, Tibetan Football National Football Association, Ladakh Professional Football Club and Ladakh State Team are participating in the tournament.
The Open Stadium is an ultramodern sports infrastructure in Ladakh with artificial grass to withstand extreme weather conditions constructed recently under the Khelo India Program with capacity of 30,000 spectators, and is known as one of the highest stadium in the world.
The inaugural ‘Climate Cup 2023’ Football tournament aims to provide a platform for players to exhibit their skills and foster a sense of responsibility towards saving the environment. The tournament is also implementing zero polythene and minimal waste policies. Furthermore, clothing and other logistical requirements to be used in the event have been made of recycled materials.
According to the rules, all players will carry water in their own customised aluminium water bottles, while players are voluntarily bound by their service agreements in measures such as rivulets and community awareness programs across the Union Territory.
The sporting event is a reminder of the fact that the environment is a unique blessing, and is on the verge of a collapse. The event not only aims to promote sports, but in a sustainable and environment-friendly manner.