Pranab to take a break from politics

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee may not be famous for his affinity for sports. But even this old school politician certainly understands the public relation potential of a sports event. So, just before his government faces the most crucial match of its life in Delhi "" the trust vote "" Mukherjee will kick off a football tournament in his constituency on July 19.

Named after his freedom fighter father, late Kamada Kinkar Mukherjee, the 'KKM Gold Cup Trophy' tournament will also provide an opportunity for the best 30 players to get a professional training at an upcoming football academy and pursue a career in the sport, according to the organisers. Mukherjee, who heads the organizing trust, will give Rs 50,000 for the champion and Rs 25,000 for the runner-up. There will be prizes for fair play and the best player too.

Clearly, Mukherjee has taken a cue from his Cabinet colleague Sharad Pawar, who has earned more fame as the country's cricket boss than holding the Union agriculture ministry. And also from his party colleague Rahul Gandhi, who recently held a limited over cricket tournament in his constituency, Amethi, on the lines of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

While Pawar and Gandhi was busy encashing the cricket euphoria, Mukherjee had to stick to football since the youth of his constituency, Jangipur, are more interested in it.

Despite his extremely busy schedule to muster Lok Sabha MPs in favour of the government, Mukherjee will spend a few hours in his constituency during this weekend to inaugurate the football tournament. The organisers have claimed that the tournament will have more than 108 teams from the district and continue for two months.

In his constituency, dominated by the Muslim population, an exhibition match has also been organised on July 19 involving Mohameddan Athletic Club and India Air Force team by Mukherjee, who was the defence minister before taking up the current assignment in the foreign office.