The Indian Bombers will arrive in Australia next week for the 2017 AFL International Cup, which runs from August 5^th until August 19^th.

The Bombers have spent months in preparation for this years’ competition.

Their most recent practice match against the AFL Masters in Kolkata, India, drew a crowd of 6,000 people.

Essendon’s Employment of Indian Community Officer Sudip Chakraborty is currently on the ground in India and said the match was a huge success.

“The Indian Bombers verse AFL Masters match in the countryside near Kolkata was a massive success with around 6,000 spectators,” Chakraborty said.

The Australian High Commissioner, Harinder Sidhu, and diplomats from Delhi and Canberra flew out to witness the historic moment.

“The High Commissioner in particular has been really impressed and without doubt, I have explained to her how Essendon FC has played a massive role in helping grow Footy in India,” Chakraborty said.

There will be 18 men’s teams and eight women’s teams competing in the Cup this year.

The Indian Bombers will be playing in Division Two of the Men’s.

The men’s Division Two will see teams split into two pools of four with each team playing matches against the three opponents in their pool before competing in semi-finals and grand finals based on finishing positions within the pool.

Their first game will be on the 6^th of August against Japan, from 2:45pm at Royal Park.

Fixture

Round one

India v Japan

Sunday 5^th August

Royal Park (Western Oval)

2:45pm

Round two

India v Germany

Wednesday 9^th August

Mentone Grammar (Keysborough)

12:30pm

Round three

India v Pakistan

Friday 11^th August

Golden Square

7:00pm

Semi-finals

Tuesday 15^th August

Royal Park

(TBC)

Grand Final

Friday 18^th August

Royal Park

(TBC)