Category: I-league

Bharat FC is here! The New I-league Club from Pune

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ileague, pune, football, kalyani group, Bharat fc, Soccer, stuart watkiss, Santley Rozario The Kalyani Group on Sunday launched their football club named “Bharat FC”. The Group unveiled the name and philosophy of its football cluband launched the club-crest during a press conference at the city’s JW Marriot. The unveiling of the name and the club-crest was done by AmitKalyani, Executive Director Kalyani Group, KunalAgarwal, Director Bharat FC along with Stuart Watkiss and Stanly Rozario, the head-coach and assistant coach of Bharat FC respectively.

The club crest celebrates the spirit of People’s Club featuring the iconic India Gate monument with a majestic lion striding powerfully through it and a football graphically developed to show people standing in a huddle. All of this coming together to be part of a royal shield impressively forming the club crest in striking red and blue colours.

Elaborating on the Philosophy of the team, AmitKalyani said that, “The very ethos of Bharat FC is rooted in being a People’s Club. It is India’s Club based in Pune.And this philosophy is instrumental in giving its elements to the club-crest and its baseline “Together. Forever.Triumphant.” He added that “Though we are the Puneri team, the idea of spreading the magic and joy of football all through our country was foremost on our minds. Bharat FC aims not just to be Pune’s favourite team but one that all of India can identify with and follow.”

Talking about the way forward, Amit Kalyani,added that, “We will focus on all aspects of football and going forward we will look at further enhancing the youth development and grass root programs. We are looking at bringing talent from India and abroad and adopt best practices for building a strong foundation for Bharat FC.”

Stuart Watkiss, who has been appointed as head-coach of the team, said that it was the Kalyani Group’s pursuit of excellence that drew him towards the club. “We look to promote excellence and a deep sense of commitment on the football pitch. These two values are very close to the Kalyani Group’s heart and we hope to translate the same on the pitch. Building a club from scratch, assembling a competitive team, playing attractive and effective football are our current goals and we will be going all out to achieve them,” he said.

Kunal Agarwal, Director Bharat FC, said that the chance to construct an ultra-professional football club, one able to hold its own with the best in Asia was the clinching factor behind him coming on board. “Raising the bar for football clubs in India is something that has always been a passion for me. A well-managed, professional club can offer a lot of benefits for society as a whole apart from serving as a catalyst for the growth of the standard of football in India. I believe that Bharat FC gives us the opportunity to build a family that would strive to deliver a lot more beyond football to the entire community so everyone can share the success,” he said.

Bharat FC will start its games with the I-League slated to start in January 2015. Bharat FC will be playing its home games at Balewadi stadium in Pune.

Logo Philosophy

The club-crest has iconic India Gate monument representing the knowledge, sacrifice and wisdom that has gone into making India the glorious and diverse country that it is. The India Gate is crowned by a football that has been graphically developed to show people standing in a huddle, symbolizing the unity and teamwork that will be the cornerstones of Bharat FC. The lion beneath India Gate has been integrated to symbolize the courage, grace and athleticism which will be the hallmarks of the team. All the three elements have been contained within a royal shield which signifies the resolve and steadfastness of the football club as well as the Kalyani Group.

The primary colours in the club-crest of Bharat FC are red and blue. Red signifies passion, activity and a vigorous impatience to move forward all the time. Blue epitomizes truth and loyalty, two qualities that have always been a very integral part of the Kalyani Group’s philosophy and will be important pillars in Bharat FC as well.

About Kalyani Group

The Kalyani Group, established in mid 1960s, is an Indian multi-national with high technology, engineering & manufacturing capability across critical sectors such as Engineering Steel, Automotive, Industrial, Renewable Energy, Urban Infrastructure and Specialty Chemicals. Guided by visionary leadership of Mr BN Kalyani, Group Chairman, with strong emphasis on market leadership through technology and it’s over 10,000 strong engineering global workforce, the group today is a market leader in all its respective business segments.

Bengaluru FC’s Ashley Westwood interested in national team job

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Image Courtesy : http://i-league.org

Image Courtesy : http://i-league.org

According to a report in Gulf News, Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood has expressed interest in taking up the coaching role of Indian national team. All India Football Federation has to scout for a new manager for the national team after the current coach Wim Koevermans recently stepped down.

Ashely Westwood guided Bengaluru FC to last season’s I-league title. This was a remarkable achievement since it was Bengaluru FC’s debut appearance in India’s top tier league. Previously he has donned the role of assistant coach at English clubs; Portsmouth, Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers.

“If they think I’m good enough then obviously they would have to approach the club, but I don’t really know how that works, I’m just interested in doing a good job for whoever that would be. I’ve studied the opposition throughout India and watched a lot of football and I’ve watched it for a purpose and I’m learning all the time. That’s what I want to keep doing, I want to keep learning and striving and bettering myself, said Ashley Westwood to Gulf News.

Read more : Westwood interested in vacant India job

Heartbreak for Kashmir, Federation Cup to be hosted in Goa

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Football, Indianfootball, Federation Cup, Kerala, SoccerAccording to a report in Times of India, Federation Cup which was to be hosted in Kashmir in May 2015 will be postponed to December 2015 and  will be shifted to Goa.

A senior official from AIFF was quoted in TOI saying “We have asked Goa if they are willing to host the tournament in December 2014. Unfortunately, there is now a change in plan and the Federation Cup cannot be played in May (2015) since the Indian team has international assignments and many players consider May as off-season,”

AIFF is finding it difficult to squeeze in different tournaments, the internationals and the upcoming Indian Super league in next year’s calendar. The report in TOI says that Federation cup was postponed because many players are busy with Asian Games preparations and the lined up International friendlies. Clubs like Dempo and Sporting Clube De Goa will be in a highly disadvantageous position if Federation Cup takes place in May. They have 5 and 4 players respectively in the Asian Games preparatory squad.

More on the same here,

 

Sunil Chhetri Signs Up as the Brand Ambassador of Eric Benny Sports Management

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Sunil Chhetri, Eric Benny, Football, Academy, Grassroots, Soccer, FC Metz, France, India, Ligue 1, Delhi, Kushal Das, Sports ManagementKeeping youth football as the primary focus, Sunil Chhetri today announced that he would be representing Eric Benny Sports Management and all Eric Benny’s initiatives across the country.

In a press conference held at the Football House, the AIFF witnessed Sunil Chhetri and Eric Benny making their collaboration public, a partnership that will help Indianfootball at the grass-roots level reach the next stage. Sunil Chhetri, Captain of the National Football Team, shared his thoughts and feelings on why the development of youth football in India is important, and how Eric Benny is one of the few people in this country who shares a similar focus with him. Chhetri discussed that although he has seen and heard of a lot of academies and collaborations, he was really impressed by FC Metz, a French Ligue 1 club with whom Eric has partnered to help improve the quality of football, with education a priority. Chhetri said, “Everyone wants to do well, but no one knows how. This collaboration with Eric Benny Sports Management is a small step towards a greater cause.” He then emphasised on providing education, the right values and discipline to the players, as he believes that only then will a player go on and become a better human being. “Over the years I have seen many players vanishing because they did not have the discipline and the right values.”

Mr Kushal Das, General Secretary of the AIFF, was also a part of the panel, andhe acknowledged and appreciated the work and effort put in by Eric Benny. “More people like Eric is what India needs and I’m glad that there are people such as Chhetri and Eric who are doing such great things.” Mr Das also mentioned that the next big focus for the AIFF is investing in football at the grass-roots level.

Eric Benny, Chief Executive – Eric Benny Sports Management, spoke about his time spent in Europe to search for the right club to partner with, a club that looks at a collaboration beyond money and profit, and actually wants to invest time in India. He said, “It took me a while to find the club, but I did it, and FC Metz was on the same wavelength as me. They do not differentiate between French and Indian players and that is extremely important, as is keeping education as a priority.”
Eric also took time to announce Metrifit as an official partner. He said, “It is important to link technology and sport, and Metrifit will help us to achieve our goals in terms of preventing injuries, looking after lifestyle, and other aspects important to a player.”

Rudoph Monnet, Counsellor of Sports and General Affairs – French Embassy in India, was a part of the panel, and he assured the support of the French Embassy in all ventures in the future. “We at the Embassy believe in Eric’s work and have also seen why his work makes him stand out. This Indo-French relationship in the field of sports will not only enable to leverage more youth in the right direction but also educate and nurture, as we and Eric believe.”

IFB Boca Football Champs Select Players to Train with Boca Juniors, Argentina

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  • IFB in association with Club Atlético Boca Juniors from Argentina launched the IFB Boca IFB, Boca Juniors, Football, Soccer, Indian, Junior Champs,Football Champs, a football tournament for schools and colleges across India and a scouting camp intended to reward talented players with an opportunity to travel to Argentina, train under the CA Boca Junior coaches and play friendlies with the club.
  • Over 4500 school and college players from 8 cities participated in the ambitious program
  • 30 shortlisted players from the tournament participated in a one week training camp in Goa conducted by coaches from Club Atlético Boca Juniors, out of which 14 selected players will travel to Buenos Aires shortly.

14 promising school and college level football players have been selected to fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina and train with the legendary Club Atlético Boca Juniors from Argentina as part of the IFB Boca Football Champs football scouting initiative. The boys will be leaving for Argentina shortly.

IFB, Boca Juniors, Football, Soccer, Indian, Junior Champs,Launched in December 2013 by IFB Industries Ltd, the football scouting initiative included a national football tournament for school and college students across the country which culminated with the finals being played in Goa. Sixteen teams from eight cities – Delhi, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Bangalore, Kozhikode, Shillong, Pune and Goa – battled it out in Goa for the top spot.

IFB roped in the very best technical partners to carry out its sports mission – the Argentinian Club, Club Atlético Boca Juniors who have had players like the legendary Diego Maradona and other players including Gabriel Batistuta, Juan Sebastian Veron, Riquelme, Claudio Canigga, Gago and Carlos Tevez.

30 shortlisted players from the tournament participated in a one week training camp in Goa conducted by coaches from Club Atlético Boca Juniors, Alejandro Javier Blasco and Alberto Jose Estevez along with Head Scout at the IFB Boca Football Champs, Jamshid Nassiri, who has been keeping a keen eye on the players at selections across the country scouting for potential talent.

Said an official from IFB Industries Ltd, “The IFB Boca Football Champs initiative has enabled us to reach out to and bring together talented players from several parts of the country to uncover some of the best and dynamic football talent. Many of the promising players come from economically backward sections of society for whom this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We are happy to facilitate and offer this incredible break to this group of 14 very talented players. We have always believed that India has immense sporting talent. Through our association with one of the world’s best football club Club Atlético Boca Juniors from Argentina and the amazingly talented Jamshid Nassiri we look forward to nurturing football talent in the country.”

Added coach and officials from Club Atlético Boca Juniors, Alejandro Javier Blasco and Alberto Jose Estevez who are down in Goa from Argentina for the final selections, “When we arrived , we had many doubts about the level of the players, but we are very pleased with the results and have seen the efforts the boys have put in. The players can work more on their individual techniques, tactics , strategy and mental strength. In the last week, the players worked hard to improve their level. We are sure that the selected players who will travel to Argentina are prepared to face the next challenge.” They added, “It’s wonderful that IFB is supporting and encouraging football in the country. We appreciate the courtesy and kindness with which we were treated in Goa and look forward to reciprocating the same in Argentina. Thank you Goa and thank you India.

Added Jamshid Nassiri, Head Scout, IFB Boca Football Champs, “The level of football we have seen over the last few months is encouraging. During the course of the selections and trials across cities, we have come across some wonderfully talented football players who could become stars in the future”

The IFB Boca Football Champs initiative kicked off in December 2013 is a grassroots level football tournament organized by IFB Industries in association with Argentinean club, Club Atlético Boca Juniors. The sports initiative drew over 4,000 players from 270 schools and 186 colleges from 8 cities across the country.

List of players selected to train in Argentina :

Sl No Name of the player City School
1 Inonito Zhimomi Delhi Genesis Global School
2 Liam Bain Kolkata Frank Anthony Public
3 Cladeo Nongpluh Pune Spicer HS
4 Domnic Soares Goa Fr Agnel School Pilar
5 Guru Raj Bangalore Parikrma Centre for Learning
6 Jishnu Balakrishnan Calicut MSP HSS
7 Khusen Manger Shillong St Anthony’s H.S.S
Sl No Name of the player City College
1 Nikhil Prashar Chandigarh SGGS College (Khalsa College)
2 Yohan Confectioner Kolkata St Xavier’s College
3 Mojaffar Ali Kolkata Barasat College
4 Banpynkhrawnam Nongkhlaw Shillong St Anthony’s College
5 Aibormiky Suchiang Shillong Shillong College
6 Clencio Pinto Goa Rosary College
7 Subithlal M Calicut Zamorins Guruvayurappan
8 Akshay Hurria Delhi Venkateshwara College

Sajid Dar from Jammu and Kashmir appointed Head Coach of U-17 Football Team

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Jammu and Kashmir, JKFA, AIFF, India, Football, Sajid Dar, Majid Dar, Under-17, FIFA World Cup, AFC, 2017Reports in Kashmiri media suggest that Sajid Dar has been appointed as the head coach of U-17 national team that is set to participate in the U-17 football World Cup 2017 to be held in India.

The report suggest that according to a statement issued by Jammu and Kashmir Football Association, Dar was chosen by All India Football Federation to prepare the side for the global event.

“It is a great honour for any coach to be part of the world cup team. Thanks to Almighty for getting this assignment. I am been working with national teams from last three years and I have always tried to help players and add to their knowledge. It is the biggest thing that has happened in my entire sports career,”said Sajid Dar to Kashmir reader.

Sajid who is an AFC instructor possess coaching diploma from SNIS Patiala. He also holds AFC C, B and A licenses.

French Club Paris Saint-Germain [PSG] to Open Academy in India

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zlatan ibrahimovic, Laurent Blanc, Paris Saint-Germain, Academy, Football, NCR, Delhi, India, Indianfootball, Europe, France, ParisFrench Club Paris Saint-Germain will open their first academy in the NCR region in July.

Here are the excerpts of PSG coach Laurent Blanc’s teleconference with PTI :

“Well, the goal of the academy is to get the people to know French football and try to develop youth football in India,” .

“But the academy more strongly has a social objective to allow the young players of India and may be, the kid in need to know social success through football and we are pretty sure that academy will bring such a thing forward.”

“India is a great country, great population, very strong youth population. So sports has to be present. Football is the most popular sports in the world. Therefore, I’m not really surprised that India decides to open up to football and that’s why I’m really happy at the launch of PSG academy in India.”

“I think it’s a good thing for French football to open up to India and gain some interest in India and most importantly it’s a very good thing for the youth of the country.”

Foreign clubs are making a bee-line to set up academies in India. PSG being the latest in that list!

More information on the academy here – http://psgfootballacademy.in/

 

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