The first set of fixtures for MFA Elite Division season 2021-22 has been announced. The league begins from March 23rd onwards.
Mumbai Football Association (MFA) have announced the fixtures for the first two rounds of the Elite Premier League. According to the latest reports, MFA is mulling over renaming the league from Elite Division to Harwood Premiere League. The new season of Mumbai’s Top division football will begin from March 23rd onwards. Read below to know more about the fixtures and format of the competition.
Reasons Behind Renaming The Competition
Harwood League was once the top division of Mumbai football and has a legacy behind its name. It is considered to be the second oldest league in India after Calcutta Football League. MFA aims to bring back the glory days of Mumbai football with plans to recall the old leagues like Rovers Cup and Harwood League. Renaming the Elite Division to Harwood League – a name that carries a legacy behind it seems like the first step to it. For the past two years due to the worldwide covid pandemic and government restrictions, Mumbai Leagues have been on hold. Whether this would be considered a new beginning or a second coming for Mumbai Football, one would be hoping the new season brings back the glory days.
Below are the Fixtures of the MFA Elite Premier League Season 2021-22 (Private group)
About The Fixtures
According to the fixtures announced, only Private group games have been announced as of now, while the fixtures for the Corporate Group will be announced later. The league begins from 23rd March onwards with defending champions KSA facing off against Bombay Muslims for the opening game of the season. One of the encouraging signs is the increase in the number of clubs playing in the league. A total of 18 teams will be taking part in the Private Group of Mumbai’s top football League itself.
The first set of fixtures announced covers 18 matches spread across 10 days from March 23rd to April 1st. Matches will be held on 2 grounds across Mumbai – Neville D’souza ground in Bandra and Cooperage Ground, in Nariman Point.
The league was last held in March 2020 before the Covid pandemic swept the world holding off all football activities in the city. The Mumbai District Football Association had declared Karnatak Sports Association (KSA) as winners of the MDFA Elite Division (Private) and Mumbai Customs as winners of the MDFA Elite Division (Corporate) for the 2019-20 season which was abandoned during its final leg due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, debutants Ambernath Utd and Atlanta FC under the tutelage of former India International and Mumbai Football Legend Steven Dias will play their first game of the season against Iron Born CFCI.
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