New Delhi:
The All India Football Federation launched the Nehru Cup International Football Tournament in 1982. Though it is an international tournament, it is yet to match the magnitude of other football events across the globe.
After its official launch in 1982, the tournament was shelved after 1997 due to lack of sponsorship and other reasons.
Indian football coach Bob Houghton played a key role in the revival of the event in 2007 and it was then called the ONGC Nehru Cup.
A few changes were made in the format after AIFF annulled Palestine's eligibility. The tournament was changed into a round-robin format with five teams playing each other and the top two clashing in the final.
India had won the 2007 title beating Syria 1-0, and the two teams get set for another face-off in 2009.
The original rolling trophy could not be recovered from Iraq, after the war against United States. Hence a new trophy was designed.
The erstwhile Soviet Union had won the title four times, while Hungary and Iraq have won twice.