Tag: India

I-League champions Bengaluru FC Tie up with SAP for Fan Engagement

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SAP, Football, India, Bangalore, Bengaluru, SAP Labs India, Bengaluru FC, Fan, engagement, app, mobile, Technology, soccer,

SAP Labs India today announced that for Bengaluru Football Club (BFC), it has created a state of the art, innovative mobile application to unify the club’s growing fan base. Developed ahead of BFC’s second campaign in the I-League which kicks off on January, 17, 2015, the multi-featured application allows for superior fan engagement through social activities and communities, match day experience sharing, group discounts, news and updates, and real time visualization.

Technology today provides sports organizations with the opportunity to connect with fans by transforming interactions through online channels, mobile, and social media. BFC is a good example of this, having grown its following with dedicated fan pages and communities on social networks like Facebook and Twitter with over 61,000 likes and 7500 followers, respectively.

“As a club based in India’s technology capital and aiming to be the best in Asia, we are constantly researching new and emerging ways to provide our fans with opportunities to connect with Bengaluru FC. Partnering with SAP, which provides innovative software solutions, will only deepen the connect and engagement that we wish to have with our growing fan-base.” said Mustafa Ghouse, COO of Bengaluru FC.

With the adoption of an easily extensible and scalable architecture, users of the BFC customized mobile application will have intuitive card based content staging and easy navigation through and within sections. Fans also receive context relevant news and updates. Some unique features of the app include ‘Swarm’, a real time visualization of how fans converge towards the stadium or other hangouts, including Arbor Brewing Company, the home pub for the season; and ‘Share-a-Ride’ which allows fans to carpool to the stadium on game day.

“SAP is transforming the sports and entertainment industry across the world through new technologies and platforms. In this instance, our technology is enabling Bengaluru FC to deliver a consistent and engaging fan experience.” said Dilipkumar Khandelwal, MD, SAP Labs India, EVP & Head of Suite Engineering, Products and Innovation.

Globally, a growing number of sports leagues, teams, and stadiums work with SAP to develop integrated business management solutions that help them run their businesses. The SAP for Sports & Entertainment solution portfolio helps the industry run better, from fans to athletes to teams and league. In the field of sports, SAP has worked with the German Football Association, The International Cricket Council (ICC), TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, the Women’s Tennis Association, the National Football League(NFL), the National Basketball Association (NBA), and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) among others.

Bharat FC lands Kris Bright, New Zealand International

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Kris Bright, New Zealand, football, Soccer, India, Pune, I-league, Club, Bharat FC, Stuart Watkiss, Stanley Rozario, All WhitesNewly formed I-league club Bharat FC has signed their first player Kris Bright. Bright is a much traveled New Zealand international. Football News India had earlier revealed about this transfer.

Before landing in India, Kris Bright has played in Netherlands, Norway, Greece, England , Hungary, Malta and Finland. He has also earned six caps for the New Zealand national team and scored one goal.

Kris Bright’s Career Snapshot – Wikipedia

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Amit Kalyani, Executive Director of the Kalyani Group and Managing Director of Bharat FC, believed that it was Bright’s sharpness and awareness in front of goal that drew the club towards him. “Kris is a prolific goal-scorer and someone who can ably lead the line as we aim to start our first season strongly. He has managed to score in every country that he has played in and I am sure his Indian stint will be full of goals too,” he said.

The 28-year-old Kiwi said that the chance of leading the line at a new club and the responsibility of driving his side’s attacking endeavours were the main reasons that he agreed to the move. “I was very excited about coming to India after speaking to Stuart (Watkiss) and getting to know more about the project. Leading the line is something that I immensely enjoy and I hope to perform really for Bharat FC. Also, I would get a chance to interact with the young Indian players and pass on a few things that I have learnt over my career,” he said.

Stuart Watkiss, Bharat FC’s head-coach said he was impressed by Bright’s imposing presence and his eye for goal. “I have watched Kris a few times in England and it is apparent that he is a very fine striker. He manages to get into good positions, is very strong aerially and is sharp in front of goal. I am sure he will be a profitable asset for us in the I-League,” he said.

With inputs from Bharat FC’s press note.

Crystal Palace Tie up with Mumbai City FC

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Crystal Palace, Indian Super League, Premier League, Barclays, Live, Mumbai, Mumbai City FC, Hero ISL, ISL, Mark Bright, England, EPL, Football, IndiaEnglish Premier League club Crystal Palace has tied up with Mumbai ISL franchise Mumbai City FC. Mumbai City FC along with Star Sports and Crystal Palace will stage a trial on thursday December 11th for 16-19 years olds in Mumbai.

12 players selected from this trial will be invited to perform their skills at the Barclays Premier League’s international fan park in Mumbai where live Premier League matches are to be screened.

A Crystal Palace delegation, led by club ambassador Mark Bright, will be assessing the selected footballers and the winner of the Play for Palace will travel to London to train with Crystal Palace’s young prospects.

Mark Bright who has scored more than 100 goals for Palace was quoted saying,

“This will be the chance of a lifetime. The winner of the competition will get a fantastic experience playing at the Academy and then go back to India to become an ambassador for Palace.

“This is a unique initiative. Everyone has a favourite local team and favourite overseas team – we want football fans in India to follow us.

“We know cricket is the number one sport in India, but football is global and it would be great to see an Indian-born player in the Premier League one day. They would become an idol and an inspiration”.

Crystal Palace chief executive Phil Alexander was quoted in the media saying, “We are very excited to be going to India to show ourselves to a new army of fans. The Premier League is booming in India and it’s a great chance for us to extend the club’s reach”.

A Mumbai City FC spokesman is also quoted in the reports. He said : “India,and Mumbai in particular, has a lot of football talent waiting to be harnessed and promoted. This initiative will provide a great platform for the youth of the city to showcase their skills and win the opportunity of a lifetime”.

More on the same here.

I-league to Kickoff on January 17, 2015 in Bengaluru

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ileague, football, india, soccer, league, bengaluruFollowing are the main decisions of the I-League and Federation Cup Committee meeting that took place today.

I-league
  • To kick-off on January 17th in Bengaluru
  • 75 out of the 110 league matches to be telecast by Ten Sports.
  • Web streaming of the matches to be available.
  • Registration of players will be done centrally through states associations.
  • Further discussions will be held on whether Goal Keeping coach can be seated on the bench during the match.
  • AIFF will monitor practice sessions of I-league Clubs.
  • Only A-License holders will be allowed to conduct coaching and training.
  • Coaches without A-license will not be allowed sit on the bench or even enter the dressing room on a match day.
U-15 League
  • To be a 16 team affair that would kickoff in the next calendar year.
  • Teams from 10  I-league clubs, 4 other academies and two AIFF academies will take part in the tournament.
  • Coca-Cola would be a sponsor for the tournament.
I-league 2nd Division
  • To take place in two venues which are not yet finalised.
  • 8 participating teams Clubs are
    • Aizawl FC
    • Chanmari FC
    • United Sports Club
    • Mohammedan Sporting
    • PIFA Sports
    • Kenkre Sports
    • Hindustan FC
    • Lonestar Kashmir FC.
I-league U-19
  • To kick-off in 2nd week of December.

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

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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

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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.

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

Wim era ends as Palestine defeats India

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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.

German Coach for Indian National Team?

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Germany, Football, DFB, FA, India, U-17, FIFA World Cup, Wim Koevermans, Asian Games, National Team, Technical Director, Markus WeidnerAccording to a report in Hindustan times, AIFF has sought help from DFB (German national football federation) to share knowledge in areas such as coach education and player’s development. The German FA is willing to help India as well.

Markus Weidner, the head of coach education and international relations, DFB is quoted in Hindustan times, “The AIFF recently asked us to share our knowledge, especially within the technical fields such as coach education, players’ development, etc. The DFB (German national football federation) is willing to assist the AIFF,”.

For AIFF, the priority is to find a coach for the India U-17 team which will taking part in the 2017 World Cup taking place in India. The article also reports that AIFF will seek help from DFB for replacing the current national team coach Wim Koevermans, whose contract expires on October 31.
Earlier media reports suggested that Wim Koevermans will be appointed as the Technical Director of national team once Rob Baan’s stint ends by Dec 31. This article speculates that there would be a change in this plan after India’s pathetic show at the Asian Games.
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