Pepsi launches T20 football

Global beverage major Pepsi is all set to launch T20 football event to make the game attractive in cricket-crazy India.

The seven-a-side amateur tournament is for enthusiast in the age group of 14 and 30 years.

Sixtyfour teams each from Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai, Lucknow, Ludhiana and New Delhi will be seen in action in a 20-minute knock-out event.

Homi Battiwalla of PepsiCo India said: “Pepsi T20 Football tournament takes forward the philosophy of ‘Change the Game’ by taking football outside the conventional domain and giving it a refreshing twist.

“It is a unique grassroots initiative mounted at a never before scale in India that aims to take the excitement around the sport to the next level.

“With the involvement of Indian cricketers, Bollywood and an international football star, the campaign promises to excite and engage not only the existing passionate football fans but the entire nation.”

Pepsi brand ambassador Ranbir Kapoor said: “Being a football enthusiast, I am glad that Pepsi is taking this initiative to popularize the sport amongst the youth of our country.”

The registration process begins in Chennai March 14 and the tournament will continue till June.

The top 32 from each city will compete in the respective city finales. A total of eight teams, including a winning team from each city and a wild card entry, will compete to emerge as ‘Game Changers’. They will then get the opportunity to be coached by an international football star.