Chandigarh, Nov 10 (IANS): To promote the Punjabi Sikh identity globally, non-profit organisation Khalsa Football Club in association with the Global Sikh Sports Federation is organising first Sikh Football Cup, 2019 in Punjab, an organiser said on Sunday.

Dedicated to the 550th Prakash Purb (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak Sahib, the tournament will be held from November 23 to December 7 under FIFA rules.

"Our prime motive is to encourage the Punjabi youth to engage in sports as 'keshadhari' (unshorn hair and beard) players," club president Harjeet Singh Grewal told IANS.

He said the Khalsa Football Club team would play matches with prominent teams in India as well as football clubs in different countries.

The club, affiliated with the Punjab Football Association, would act as launching pad for promising players to enter contracts with top ranked Indian as well as European football clubs, he said.

Also, the unique 'keshadhari' event would help promoting Punjabi culture and Sikh identity worldwide and weaning away the youth from drug abuse.