Category: I-league

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/

 

I-league to start in December, Fedration Cup not axed!

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AIFF, All India Football Federation, Soccer, New Delhi

AIFF Executive Committee met at the All India Football Federation Headquarters, Football House in the Capital on May 14, 2014 (Wednesday). Here is all you need to know about the decisions that were arrived upon in the meeting!

  • Mr. Praful Patel in his visit to Zurich has expressed interest to the FIFA Boss Sep Blatter about hosting the FIFA World Club Cup in 2017 and also in 2018. The outcome of these bids will be known in December 2014.
  • Indian Super League, the new franchise league will kick off in September 2014.
  • A special committee to advice the technical structure of 2017 U-17 FIFA World cup to be constituted. Baichung Bhutia, National Captain Sunil Chhetri and the Current coach of Salogaocar club Derrick Periera to be part of the panel.
  • The  Coca-Cola Cup (National Sub-Junior Tournament) will be the main scouting platform for players for the 2017 U-17 World Cup. Boys born on or after January 1, 2000 will be eligible for the Championship.
  • An U-15 league which involves teams from clubs, AIFF regional academies and others was also proposed!
  • 3 crore budget allotted for the preparations for U-23 team for Incheon Asian Games.
  • Unlike earlier speculation in the media, Federation Cup to be hosted in Jammu and Kashmir in May 2015.
  • Appointed an integrity officer to deal with corruption and match-fixing by June 2104 as stipulated by AFC and FIFA.
  • Centralized registration of players to kick-in by July 31, 2014. Further to this, all inter-State transfers to take place through this online system.

On I-league :Airtel I-league, TenAction

  • I-league to kick off in the first week of December.
  • Coaches / Technical Director of I-league teams should be an AFC A-License holder. Even entry to the dressing rooms of a team is barred if you don’t hold AFC A-License!
  • All clubs to sign a marquee player among their foreign recruits. If failed to do so, the entire foreign contingent of players will not be allowed to play.  AIFF’s definition of marquee player to be intimated to the clubs very soon.
  • The I-league licensing committee to meet on May 21 and decide on the future of clubs on the licensing criteria front.

New Club on the block – Jaithra Kerala of SEPT!

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SEPT, Jaithra Kerala, Football, Academy, Kerala, Soccer, Indianfootball, Sports, Kozhikode, Mananchira, Arun Nanu, India, Malabar

Club Logo

We had earlier reported that Sports Education and Promotion Trust [SEPT], the Kerala based football academy will be unveiling their professional club on May 4th in Kozhikode. In a gala function that took place yesterday in Mananchira Maidhan, SEPT unveiled their professional club named Jaithra Kerala and the club logo.

SEPT, Jaithra Kerala, Football, Academy, Kerala, Soccer, Indianfootball, Sports, Kozhikode, Mananchira, Arun Nanu, India, Malabar

Club Launch

Jaithra Kerala will function under SEPT Sports and Entertainment Pvt Ltd. The club is aiming for an I-league slot in the next four years. The current trend in Kerala football is forming clubs with active particpation of communities. SEPT is also duly following the model. SEPT is rolling out membership and has manged to rake in a good number of supporters for their effort. It is being reported that anyone can secure a membership by paying INR 1800.

SEPT, Jaithra Kerala, Football, Academy, Kerala, Soccer, Indianfootball, Sports, Kozhikode, Mananchira, Arun Nanu, India, Malabar

SEPT has drafted in players from their U-17 academy for the club. With over 50 active football coaching centers across the Kerala, SEPT is planning to use these centers as the catchment area to select footballers to the club. It is also said that talented players outside the centers would also be drafted into the club through a selection process.

SEPT, Jaithra Kerala, Football, Academy, Kerala, Soccer, Indianfootball, Sports, Kozhikode, Mananchira, Arun Nanu, India, MalabarIn the 10th year of existence, the formation of a professional club is a massive step forward for SEPT. By this SEPT also becomes the first football academy in Kerala to graduate to a full professional set up. Their vast experience is training and coaching youngsters across the state would hold  in good stead for their progress. SEPT players are the main stay of all the age group teams from Kerala and around five SEPT players have represented Indian age group teams. SEPT is also planning to commence operations of two residential academies in Kerala.

Here is the Facebook Page of Jaithra Kerala, Go ahead and Like them!

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