Second Season of The Amateur League (TAL) is Underway
The Amateur League (TAL) is an 11-a-side football league that takes place in Bangalore and is open to all amateur and professional footballers. The aim of The Amateur League is to provide footballers with constant 11-a-side (that’s where all the fun is!) action throughout the year. The Amateur League takes place only on weekends
TAL (Season 1) took place during June 2014 – September 2014 at BGS IRS with 12 teams participating in a round robin format. Teams were made of up players from all walks of life. Schoolkids, college students, professional footballers, expatriates and corporate individuals all came together to provide diverse footballing action. The season went down to the wire, with Horizons FC and Sunday FC going head-to-head on the final day to determine the winner. Sunday FC needed a win to lift the trophy but a draw ensued thereby crowning Horizons FC as the champions of the inaugural season.
TAL (Season 2 – Division 1) is currently underway with the opening game-week taking place on 22nd March at Holy Ghost Church grounds, Fraser Town. The new season started with more than half of the teams returning from Season 1 while a couple of teams merged to form new teams as well welcoming some new exciting teams. The season is almost at its mid-way point and the quality of action has only gotten better. Defending champions, Horizons FC sit at the top of the table albeit only goal difference from Saints FC. Gremio FC is also in the picture to lift the title only 3 points behind Horizons FC and Saints FC. New additions to the league included the likes of Flipkart FC, Project 7 and Rare Dare FC. Division 1 takes place on Sundays
With the increase of people wanting to play in the league, The Amateur League has decided to create Division 2, which will begin in the second week of May at the same ground as Division 1. With the division system created, TAL plans to have promotion and relegation within the league to increase competitiveness. The bottom two teams of Division 1 will be relegated and the top two teams of Division 2 will be promoted. With teams signing up quickly, Division 2 has only a few spots open. Division 2 takes place on Saturdays.
The Amateur League was created with the objective of providing all footballers a chance to experience the game at a professional standard.All teams get customized jerseys with players’ name and numbers adding league experience. Reports, photos, video highlights and statistics all of which add to the experience of the league accompany the game-days. The Amateur League website, www.theamateurleague.com is currently under construction but all of the data can be accessed on TAL Facebook page as well (www.facebook.com/TheAmateurLeague).