Category: football

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

Leave a comment

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.

India thrash Nepal 6-0 to become 3rd time SAFF Champions

Leave a comment

India, Nepal, Womens, SAFF, Indianfootball, Bangladesh, Maldives, Afghanistan, Bala Devi, Manipur, South Asia, Womens Football, SoccerIndian women’s football team put on a splendid performance to thrash Nepal 6-0 in the finals to lift the cup the third time in a succession. Bala Devi scored four goals for India in the finals.

After a relatively slow start to the match, India started their goal glut by the 26th minute through Kamala Devi. From then on the hapless Nepal team wilted under Indian dominance. In the last five minutes of the first half, Bala Devi struck twice as India lead 3-0 at halftime.

Within two minutes into the second half India scored again through Romi Devi. From then on, India scored at will till the final minutes taking the tally to half a dozen goals. Bala Devi doubled her tally to four in the match by scoring in the 51st and 92nd minute of the match.

India was in Group A of the tournament along with Bangladesh, Maldives and Afghanistan. In the group matches India defeated Maldives 8-0, Bangladesh 5-1, Afghanistan 12-0. And in the semi finals they routed Sri Lanka 5-0.

India Squad Finals :

India played 5 matches, scored 36 goals and conceded one. Baladevi who has been in terrific form had earlier told the Pakistan media that her target is to score 16 goals in the tournament. In fact she did achieve her target and 16 goals is the highest tally in a single edition of the championship, since its inception in 2010.

 

Ronnie Screwvala’s UniLazer Ventures and Bundesliga’s TSG 1899 Hoffenheim to launch Football Academies

Leave a comment

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Football, India, Unilazer ventures, Ronnie Screwala, Football, Grassroots, Academy, BundesligaAccording to a report in bundesliga.com TSG 1899 Hoffenheim have struck a deal with bollywood producer Ronnie Screwvala’s UniLazer Ventures to provide support for football promotion among children in India.

This initiative will begin with talent scouting at over 1000 schools across 50 cities in India says the report. Half a million children are expected to be part of this exercise. 30 selected students will get an opporutnity to travel to Germany and train with Hoffenheim. As part of this deal, Hoffenheim will help training coaches in india as well.

“TSG are the ideal partners to approach and realise these goals on a long-term basis,”. “This type of co-operation – to develop children and young players – fits perfectly with our philosophy. We can learn a lot from one another, both on and off the pitch.” said Thomas Richter, Hoffenheim’s director of sales, communication and internationalisation to bundesliga.com

There were rumors about Unilazer ventures foraying into football but nothing concrete came up. However, earlier this year Ronnie Screwvala’s firm invested in pro-kabbadi tournament and owns the Mumbai franchise Umumba in the tournament. This tie up with Hoffenheim would be Unilazer’s first attempt to foray into the bustling football scene in India.

Manipur to conduct School Girls Football Festival

Leave a comment

The Andro Mahila Madal Association will conduct School Girls football Festival 2015 in Manipur. The objective of this football festival is to revive the glory of team sports like football in schools and become the foundation to a sporting state and bring glory to Manipur. In addition to this, the football festival will focus on bringing school girls to active lifestyle and good health. The festival focuses on women empowerment, confidence and creativity. School Girls from classes 7,8 & 9 are welcome to participate in the festival.

The football festival is divided into two programs.

  • School Coaches Workshop & Training for Fun Football in Schools
  • Fun Carnival games and 7 a side tournament for all participating students

AMMA is a women’s organisation working with young girls and supporting their sporting talents and encouraging young girls to play team sports like football since 1993.

Dana Cup, one of the worlds largest football tournaments that takes place every year in Denmark is a partner in this football festival.

Manipur, Girls, Football, AMMA, India, Soccer, Bikram Singh , Dana Cup, Denmark

AIFF regional academies to be consolidated in Goa

Leave a comment

AIFF, FIFA. Goa, U-17, World Cup, India, Football, Indianfootball, Soccer, AcademyAIFF started off their regional academies with much fanfare and promise. However functioning of these academies are not going as per the original plan, if reports appearing in the media are true.

Players training at the regional academies in Navi Mumbai and Bangalore has been already shifted to the regional academy in Goa. Latest in the line is players at the Kalyani academy in West Bengal. Reports suggest that the only FIFA-AIFF academy in West Bengal has stopped functioning and soon will be shifted out to Goa.

“We have our own building in Goa where all the academy boys can be housed, Moreover, the cost in Kalyani is proving to be on the higher side. In Goa, it will cost less and be more convenient,” AIFF general secretary Kushal Das is quoted in a media report.

It is also reported that while AIFF’s director of Academies, Scott O’Donnell has approved of this decision, there is serious resentment within AIFF about shifting the academy from West Bengal.

Sunil Chhetri and Eric Benny launch 4v4 League in Bangalore!

Leave a comment

Sunil Chhetri, Eric Benny, Football, Academy, Grassroots, Soccer, FC Metz, France, India, Ligue 1, Delhi, Kushal Das, Sports Management, Bangalore, Decathlon, 4v4 LeagueToday, Eric Benny Sports Management took yet another step to launch a new initiative and their first chapter out of Delhi and Gurgaon. Sunil Chhetri along with Eric Benny introduced the unique 4v4 Leagues here in Bangalore that are to start in November this year.

Eric Benny introduced the gathering with a short glimpse of his journey with Indian football through various initiatives that his sports management company has launched across the northern part of India. He also focused on his unique relationship with the French Embassy here in India as well as the management’s partnership with FC Metz; a club known for producing top talent such as Robert Pires, Emmanuel Adebayor, Franck Ribery and many more.

This is a time-tested association of 3.5 years when it all began in Delhi-NCR with Eric Benny envisaging a career for young Indian interested and talented in football. The mission of this roadshow travelling from state to state within a country of over 1.2 billion population to identify at the grass root level talent and thereafter what needs to be done in terms of grooming, training, ranking, selecting the top talented children, before placing them in a world-class football academy like FC Metz in France.

Sunil Chhetri, Brand ambassador for Eric Benny Sports Management, Captain of the Indian National Team and Bengaluru Football Club, underlined that there is no lack of hard work in Indian players but “unless the teacher is good to teach the right way at the right age, and players learn to simultaneously work smart and work hard, only then can there be improvement, else a fiasco.”

After having successfully sent 9 Indian children to F C Metz, EBSM is launching on 9th November across Decathlon sites in Bangalore, 8 weeks of 4V4 football league – inviting children who are passionate about football to try and get selected for a second round of all-Indian elite pool of young footballers before attempting for the top rank in order to avail the opportunity to live their dreams of a career-breaking opportunity at F C Metz. The leagues start pretty soon and Sahil Srivastava who would be managing the Bangalore chapter of these leagues can be reached on 9986556058.

Mr. Eric Lavertu, Consul General of France, termed this as an innovative cooperation with immense potential given the young population of India. It will lead India to the best international level in the future.

Kerala to kick start beach football league

Leave a comment

Kerala, Football, beach football, professional league, Soccer,Kerala Football association along with Kochi based ESA media will organise the state’s first professional beach football league in Kozhikode in May 2015. Christened Kerala Beach League, the first of its kind league in the state will feature five teams, from Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Kannur in the first season. There will be a Men’s league and women’s league.

The logo of the tournament was unveiled in Kochi by Kerala Football Association president  K. M. A. Mather and ESA Media CEO J. B. Mathews on Friday. The league which is modeled on the Indian Super league will be feature five franchises in the first season. A team will consist of ten players with three foreigners allowed in each team. The five-a-side matches will be of 40 minutes duration.

KFA president K.M.A Mather who unveiled the logo of the league said that Kerala Beach League is the country’s first professional beach league and is an effort to keep state’s football calendar packed with action for a major part of the year.

Bengaluru FC’s Ashley Westwood interested in national team job

Leave a comment
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

Wim era ends as Palestine defeats India

Leave a comment

India, Palestine, Football, Soccer, FIFA, Friendly, October, West Bengal, Kanchenjunga, Siliguri, InternationalPalestine, the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup Champions beat India 3-2 in a friendly match that was played at the  Kanchenjunga stadium in Siliguri, on Monday evening. India were leading the match 2-1 at the half time.

India conceded as early as the 8th minute in the match. However Sunil Chhetri and Francis Fernandes scored apiece in the first half as India finished on top. The second half saw Palestine strongly coming back into the match and scoring two goals. Eventually India had to settle with a defeat in the friendly.

As yet another international friendly went by without telecast, fans were very vocal on social media about their displeasure.

Notable was also the complete silence from the ISL media team and the social media channels of ISL teams. Completely oblivious about the match, social media channels of ISL teams went about sharing totally irrelevant content. While this is not a big surprise for us, ISL which claims to take Indian football to another level omitting the national team’s friendly certainly does not bode well for the sport in India. All India Football Federation’s social media channels that used to be very active recently was also missing in action today.

This friendly against Palestine also marked the end of the Dutch coach Wim Koeverman’s stint as the national team’s manager. In the post match presentation ceremony Wim Koevermans confirmed that he is going to step down.

“This was my last match as the coach of the national team and I will not be taking up the post of AIFF’s Technical Director for private reasons,” said the Dutch coach.

How much will you shell out to watch Indian Super League?

One comment

Atlético de Kolkata, Indian Super League, Kolkata, Football, Ticket, Ticket Genie, Price, Indian Football, League, Sourav Ganguly, 200, Utsav parekh, Luis Garcia, EntertainmentFootball fans across the nation were curious about the pricing of upcoming Indian Super League’s tickets. Atlético de Kolkata is the first team in Indian Super League to come out with ticket prices for their seven home matches. We can expect rest of the franchises to also follow suit and price tickets for their respective home games along these lines.

 

It is confirmed that Atlético de Kolkata supporters will be shelling out anything between Rs. 200 to Rs. 2500 to watch their home matches. Tickets are already available online at atleticodekolkata.ticketgenie.in.

 

The Kolkata franchise has also provided an option of purchasing a season ticket, where a fan needs to pay only for six matches and get to watch the seventh home match for free.

 

Sourav Ganguly and Utsav Parekh, co-owners of the Atlético de Kolkata has urged fans to turn up to the stadium early, as plenty of entertainment both before kickoff and at halftime is planned.

 

“We want the people to come with their families and have a good time at the stadium. Plenty of entertainment is being lined up,” said Sourav Ganguly in a press note from the league.

Details of ticket prices are below:

Prices that are being offered

Rs. 200/-; Rs. 300/-; Rs. 400/-; Rs. 500/-; Rs. 750/-; Rs. 2000/- (for the opening match) and Rs. 1250/- (for the remaining 6 matches); Rs. 2500/- (Hospitality tickets)

Discounts for institutional and corporate bookings From 100 to 500 tickets booked – flat 5% discount; Above 500 tickets booked – flat 10% discount

Ticket Helpline Numbers: 8697045013, 8697045107, 080-49125900

Courier Helpline: 8697045236, E-Ticket: 8697045427, Bulk Booking: 8697045387

1 … 12 13 14 15 16 … 31