Nothing but football.
Here are the 6th round matches and telecast details of Airtel I-league 2013- 14.
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The 34th edition of All India Governor’s Gold Cup football tournament will kick off in Sikkim on November 7th.
I-league side Mohammedan Sporting, Mumbai Tigers, Royal Wahingdoh, Tata Football Academy and Sikkim’s very own United Sikkim FC will take part in the tournaments.
International teams in Three Star Nepal, Manang Masangdi and U-19 Nepal national team will be in fray.
Organizers are in talks with Mohun Bagan and India U-19 National team for their participation. If Mohun Bagan and India U-19 team plays, this year’s All India Governor’s Gold Cup football tournament will be a grand feast for football fans in Sikkim.
Mumbai Tigers, the team which withdrew from I-league is looking for a chance to appear in the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL). With the withdrawal from I-league many even feared for the existence of the club. It is heartening to know the team is alive and kicking.
“Top I-League clubs and IMG – Reliance are approaching the club for players. We are hoping that we will be allowed to play in the IMG – Reliance tournament. We are waiting for the management’s decision on the matter,” Paresh Shivalkar of Mumbai Tigers told TOI.
The team is currently participating in Nandakarni Cup in Chembur.
GANGTOK, October 21, 2013
United Sikkim FC and Kokkivo clothesline on Saturday announced a tie-up wherein the Snow Lions will be flaunting the Red Panda tees while travelling. Kokkivo is urban clothesline launched earlier this year by two young entrepreneurs Sonam Tshering Tamang and Deep Dhar, both 24 years old from Gangtok. Their special product for United Sikkim FC launched on Oct 19 is a navy blue tee.
United Sikkim’s mascot ‘Snow Lion’ is imprinted on the chest (right) portion of the tee while Kokkivo’s logo ‘Red Panda’ is smartly positioned on the left sleeve.
The tee will be worn by all the United Sikkim players and officials whenever the team is travelling for tournaments.
“It is one of the historic days of us. For a small place like Sikkim, the club has got its own designer. Our players will be wearing the Kokkivo t-shirt whenever they travel.
We are proud and both Sonam and Deep are examples for entrepreneurship for our youths to follow,” said Bhaichung to media.
Sonam and Deep, both graduates in management, expressed their happiness on the tie-up with United Sikkim and Bhaichung. It is also a historic day for us to be associated with Bhaichung and United Sikkim, they said.
“The T-shirt is made from the finest fabric that will comfort the United Sikkim players wherever they have to travel. Keeping the hot and humid climatic conditions in mind, we have designed the T-shirt. The main thing we focused on was the comfort levels,” said Sonam and Deep.
The United Sikkim-Kokkivo tee, in different colours, would be made available in all the three stores of Style in Gangtok and can also be ordered from the website of Kokkivo. We will be coming up with more stuff for United Sikkim and their fans, said the duo.
United Sikkim senior manager Arjun Rai and the players also attended the launching function at BB15 Fitness & Dance Studio here.
You can order United Sikkim FC Polo from Kokkivo Clothing
Content and Picture Courtesy : http://isikkim.com
Though it was widely reported yesterday that I-League players will not feature in the Indian Super League (ISL) by IMG – Reliance, as we reported earlier, news is trickling in that I-league players will in fact be part of the ISL set up.
The cash strapped Kolkata club United SC has reportedly agreed to release eight of their top players for the upcoming IMG – R league. It is reported Dipak Mondal, Lal Kamal Bhwomick, Mohammed Rafique, Sangram Mukherjee, C.K. Vineeth and Asif Kottayil will be released by the club for the league.
As reported earlier, Mohammedan sporting is willing to loan out five IMG – R players. Rahim 
Nabi, Ishafaq Ahamed, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Manish Maithani and Louis Barreto will join the I-league outfit.
It is also reported that a top IMG – Reliance source said that top players such as Sunil Chhetri has also expressed interest to be part of the league. However, they are facing trouble as the Indian quota (72 players) has filled up for the upcoming season.
Image Courtesy : http://www.sportzpower.com/
Though Indian Professional Football Clubs Assocation (IPFCA) put up a brave and defiant face without toeing along the lines of IMG – Reliance in the beginning, it is far too obvious that there is no consensus among them on this issue. It was also reported that some I-league clubs will be pitching in for franchises.
Image Courtesy : http://www.sportzpower.com/
According to a report in TOI, it is understood that IMG – Reliance has struck a deal with Star India to become equity partners in a JV to run their proposed IPL-Style football league.
After this development, Star India will hold 30% stake in the joint venture IMG – Reliance. According to the report, IMG – Reliance and Star India will disperse 100% broadcast revenue to franchise owners in the first season.
Elsewhere in TOI, it is also reported that football stars such as Yorke, Ljungberg, Pires, Crespo and Saha has been signed by IMG – R for their upcoming league. Thierry Henry and Michael Owen could also join the fray. Peter Schmeichel, the legendary Danish and Manchester United goal keeper and Marcel Marcel Desailly former Chelsea and France legend has been roped in the role of coaches.
IMG – R Chair Person Nita Ambani confirmed to TOI : “Having Star on board as a partner strengthens our efforts and commitment to propel Indian football to its rightful place. We see the launch of the football league as the realization of a dream of a billion-plus Indians to experience the most cherished game globally in new ways,”
It is also understood that some I-league clubs will all bid for franchises during the auctions. Pune FC-Piramals, East Bengal, JSW, Dempo-Salgaocar are in the fray to pick up franchises. Apart from that a host of corporates, Celebrities and a consortium of businessmen from Kerala are in the fray for team in the proposed league.
As we reported earlier, AIFF Technical Director Rob Baan is currently conducting the AFC A license Certificate Course in Thiruvanathapuram. 25 coaches including one from Japan is attending the course. Here are few pics from Thiruvananthapuram.
Former Kerala Players Jo Paul Ancheri and V.P Shaji
Narayana Menon who managed India U-14 team for AFC U-14 Qualifiers, 2013 can also be seen..
India U-16 Coach Goutam Ghosh with Rob Baan
AFC A License Course at Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala Santosh Trophy Captain Rahul
Kerala Football Association (KFA) has today tied up with The Ramco Cements Ltd and announced a football league where 12 teams would be in fray.
The MOU signed today with Ramco will support the following activities.
A 12 team affair that includes a Kerala state youth team. The proposed league will take place between March to May 2014. The following teams are expected to take part – KSEB, Titanium, Kerala Police, AGs, SBT, Eagles FC, Golden Threads FC, Excise, Cochin Port Trust and the Kerala youth team.
An inter state district and state level school league to played in Home and Away format. The technical title sponsor of the league would be Eagles FC.
Ramco will be title sponsor of the Kerala team for the next Santosh Trophy competition to be held in Siliguri.
Image Courtesy : http://www.thehindu.com/
If reports in Malayalam media is anything to go by, IMG – Reliance and IPFCA has sort out issues. Five of the IMG – Reliance contracted players will be joining Mohammedan Sporting.
Rahim Nabi, Ishafaq Ahamed, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Manish Maithani and Louis Barreto has Joined Mohammedan Sporting says the report.
It is also reported that Kerala players Mohammed Rafi and N.P Pradeep is travelling to France to train with Bordeaux.
Image Courtesy : http://www.sportzpower.com/
IMG – Reliance the marketing partner of All India Football Federation has started re-laying the football pitch at Delhi Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium. Once the re-laying is over the pitch will be of International standards. The practice pitch at the stadium is also being refurbished.
It is understood that IMG – Reliance has sought the help of Grogory Gillin, former Wembley stadium expert and current director Venue Operations Pt Ltd, Singapore for the refurbishment exercise.
The main pitch will be of international standards with aerated turf and over seeded by RYE Grass imported from USA. The stadiums at other cities such as Kochi, Chennai, Guwahati, Mumbai, Pune and Goa will also refurbished based on Gillin’s recommendations.