New Delhi, Sep 12 (IANS): The 55th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament will see a record number of 94 teams. The Sep 16-Oct 20 school tournament will be in three categories.

The prestigious event has been organised by the Subroto Mukherjee Sports Education Society under the aegis of the Indian Air Force since 1960.

The main attraction this year would be Brazilian team Colegio Estadul Santo Antonio in the Under-17 boys category. The players from this team regularly train with Fluminese Academy, part of Fluminese Club - one of the most successful football clubs in Brazil.

The numbers of foreign teams has gone up to 14 from eight countries.

Apart from Brazilians, Indonesian teams are also coming for the first time. Teams from Afghanistan, Nepal, Ukraine, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bhutan would also take part.

“India is hosting the U-17 World Cup three years from now and the current crop of U-14 players in this year’s Subroto Cup would be the right mix to look into while forming the team," Air Marshal H.B. Rajaram said Friday.

"Hence, Subroto Cup has got a significant role in assisting the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in formulating a team of extremely talented footballers to be selected from all corners of the country.”

Thirty-two teams will participate in the U-14 boys event. The girls U-17 event will see 28 teams, including three from abroad. The boys' U-17 event will have 34 teams including five foreign outfits.

The prize money has been enhanced to Rs.22.9 lakh, an increase of Rs.7.44 lakh compared to last year. The winners in U-17 would receive a cash award of Rs.3.5 lakh while Rs.2.5 lakh is for U-14 boys winners.

The opening ceremony would be held Sep 16 at the Ambedkar Stadium here. The tournament would be conducted on a league-cum-knockout basis at both the Ambedkar Stadium and the NWC Football Ground.