The concept of the Inter Startup Futsal League

The inaugural edition of the Inter Startup Futsal League was a great success. Conceptualised by a sports enthusiast, Sushil Reddy who is an IIT Bombay graduate, he thought of this idea of having a football tournament amongst startups in Powai, Mumbai which is now termed as “The Powai Valley” due to the immense rise in the number of startups in this area.

This first edition saw an overwhelming response with 12 startup teams participating. The teams who participated were Credr, Flyrobe, Latahun, Handyhome, Doormint, Taskbob, Purple Squirrel Eduventures, Toppr.com, Bewakoof.com, Holachef, Tinyowl and Bizongo.

Talking about the concept of the futsal league among startups, Sushil says: “Sports develop team spirit, which is an important factor while working in a startup where everything is dynamic. It is a fun physical activity after a hectic day’s work. Hence the idea of having this league”.

This league was held on 3 days in September at the Kickforall Arena in Hiranandani, Powai. The 12 participating teams were divided into two groups of six each.

After the two group stage match days, four teams qualified for the semi-finals – Purple Squirrel Eduventures, Taskbob, Toppr.com and Bewakoof.com. The finals between Toppr.com, an ed-tech startup and Bewakoof.com, a clothes merchandise, was a thriller.

The underdogs, Bewakoof.com scored their opening goal. Then, the see-saw match swayed from one team to the other and finally at full time, the score was 2-2. It was down to penalties to decide the winner – a best of three. Toppr.com had fought brilliantly. A nail-biter match worthy of the final saw Bewakoof.com clinch victory from the jaws of defeat in the finals to claim the trophy and win the first edition of the Inter Startup Futsal League.

Decathlon, which is the largest sports store with over 21 stores across the India, is the title sponsor for the event. The idea of Inter Startup Futsal League interested them since Decathlon themselves promote sports and fitness by organising events in their playgrounds.

After the success of the first edition, there are plans to organise such tournaments on a regular basis at the startup hubs PAN India to promote sports, fitness and team spirit in the startup ecosystem.