Nothing but football.
I-league club East Bengal launched their football team in a glittering ceremony at South City Mall in Kolkata. The ceremony saw the East Bengal team for next season being unveiled.
Apart from launching the team, East Bengal also took a big step towards club merchandizing by launching a brand of deodorant named the “East Bengal Deo”
Hero MotoCorp Ltd has signed a three-year deal to be the Title Sponsor of the Indian Super League – the first-of-its-kind franchise-based football league in the country. With this sponsorship, the much-awaited new football league, promoted by IMG-Reliance and Star India, will be called the ‘Hero Indian Super League’.
According to a PTI report, Pawan Munjal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hero MotoCorp Ltd, said:
“Football is not just the world’s most popular game, it has today become a phenomenon sweeping across continents.
“I witnessed this myself while moving from one Brazilian city to another to watch the games at the recent World Cup. Like every other part of the world, India is also in the grip of this magic called football as millions of youngsters across the country are taking to the game with enthusiasm,” he said.
“The Indian Super League, therefore, is a timely initiative, and we are delighted to be partners in this journey for the common goal of promoting football in the country. As the title sponsor of the league, we are happy to being catalysts in bringing in much-needed professionalism and promote the game at the grass roots level to help identify and promote local talent,”
Star India CEO Uday Shankar, was also quoted in the report :
“The Hero name brings with it credibility, commitment and passion to the cause of sports. I am deeply pleased because Hero and Pawan Munjal are true ambassadors of sports with a commitment that goes beyond sponsorship. It is great to see them take centre-forward position to support ISL and the future of Indian football.”
As we reported earlier,
#Rumor : #Delhi #ISL franchise will be called Delhi Dynamos. #India #Football #Indianfootball
— football news india (@fni) July 15, 2014
The Delhi franchise of the upcoming Indian Super League, Delhi Dynamos was unveiled today. They unveiled the team name, the team philosophy, anthem and the Delhi Dynamos’ alliance with Feyenoord Rotterdam at an event held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the home stadium of the Dynamos. There was no announcements regarding the coach or players.
Now the Dutch media is abuzz that Harm van Veldhoven a Dutch-Belgian coach whose last stint was with KV Mechelen, a team in the top tier Belgian league. Earlier Danish media had reported that forwards Morten Skoubo & Mads Junker will be joining the Delhi ISL franchise. Harm van Veldhoven was associated with these players during their stints with Roda and Mechelen
#Denmark forwards Morten Skoubo & Mads Junker signed 4 #Delhi #ISL franchise http://t.co/8WJwud0LGR #Indianfootball
— football news india (@fni) July 15, 2014
Atletico de Kolkata, the Kolkata franchise of the upcoming Indian Super League set up with the help of Atletico Madrid has unveiled their Marquee International player for the tournament – Luis Garcia.
Former Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool star Luis Garcia will be donning the colours of Atletico de Kolkata in ISL. Garcia recruited by Rafael Benítez at Liverpool club played a crucial role in their title-winning UEFA Champions league campaign in 2005. He last appeared for Pumas de la UNAM, a Mexican professional football club.
I’m very exited to share with you my new challenge , I’ve decided to join Atlético de Kolkata…https://t.co/0MUp1LK619
— Luis Garcia (@LuchoGarcia14) July 7, 2014
As we reported earlier, the Kolkata franchise has also confirmed that Antonio López Habas, a former Spanish footballer with over 20 years of coaching experience will be their marquee coach.
Former manager of #SouthAfrica league team Bidvest Wits FC Antonio López Habas to be manager of #Atletico de #Kolkata #ISL #Indianfootball
— football news india (@fni) July 3, 2014
Habas is our marquee manager.. — Atletico de Kolkata (@AtletiKolkata) July 7, 2014
Jose Ramirez Barreto, Brazilian footballer who has had extensive stint in India with various clubs will also be part of the coaching team confirmed the franchise.
Ramires Barreto will also be in the coaching staff..
— Atletico de Kolkata (@AtletiKolkata) July 7, 2014
Ten clubs will fight it out in Shillong’s first division football league that will start on July 4th. Shillong Sports Association has released the first twenty fixtures of the league. The participating clubs are Mawlai, Pohkseh, Lawmali Pyllun SC, Nongkrem SC, Smit SC, Laitlyngkot SC, Shillong United FC, Imson FC, Laban and Laitumkhrah.
(All matches at 4:00pm at JN Sports Complex)
July 4: Mawlai SC vs Pohkseh SS&CC
July 5: Lawmali Pyllun SC vs Nongkrem SC
July 7: Smit SC vs Laitlyngkot SC
July 8: Shillong United FC vs Imson FC
July 9: Laban SC vs Laitumkhrah S&CC
July 10: Nongkrem SC vs Mawlai SC
July 11: Pohkseh SS&CC vs Lawmali Pyllun SC
July 12: Laitlyngkot SC vs Shillong United FC
July 14: Laitumkhrah S&CC vs Smit SC
July 15: Imson FC vs Laban SC
July 16: Mawlai SC vs Shillong United FC
July 17: Smit SC vs Lawmali Pyllun SC
July 18: Laban SC vs Nongkrem SC
July 19: Pohkseh SS&CC vs Laitumkhrah S&CC
July 21: Laitlyngkot SC vs Imson FC
July 22: Lawmali Pyllun SC vs Mawlai SC
July 23: Shillong United FC vs Laban SC
July 24: Nongkrem SC vs Smit SC
July 25: Laitumkhrah S&CC vs Laitlyngkot SC
July 26: Imson FC vs Pohkseh SS&CC
According 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,
According to a report in PTI today, the upcoming Indian Super League has has entered into a strategic partnership with the English Premier League, the world’s most popular and successful football league, to bring its best practices to India under an exchange programme.
Through the alliance, Indian Super League will help Premier League and its clubs in staging football matches and assist in other business development initiatives in India.
Here are a few excerpts from the PTI report :
Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the Premier League, said, “Having earlier this year signed a mutual co-operation agreement with the Asian Football Confederation, we are very pleased to also enter into this partnership with ISL. This will see both organisations work together and share knowledge in several key areas including player development, refereeing, marketing and promotion.
“We know from our broadcast partner Star India, and our work with AIFF on our long-established grassroots football project Premier Skills that we run in several locations across India, that the popularity of football, and Premier League, is growing. There is a further opportunity to develop the sport as a result of that increased interest and we hope to continue to make a real contribution to all levels of Indian football.”
IMG-Reliance chairperson Nita Ambani said, “Partnering with Premier League brings credence to ISL and to our vision of popularizing the sport in India. I am confident the tie-up will immensely help in nurturing and establishing ISL with good governance and best practices. The alliance also presents a great opportunity of partnership and cross promotions between the ISL League Partners and Premier League Clubs.”
Jeff Slack, senior vice-president, IMG, Global Football Development, said, “The ability to leverage the Premier League’s experience in creating a successful league model for both players and fans will be a tremendous value to the Indian Super League as it continues to grow the sport in India.”
Uday Shankar, CEO, Star India said, “The partnership puts belief in our Star’s sports philosophy ‘Believe’. From a game that hobbled about on the fringes of Indian sports, there’s promise that this partnership will lift and reinvigorate football. Through this tie-up, Star India will cross promote coverage of ISL and Premier League to the growing base of Indian football followers.”
AIFF president Praful Patel said, “The AIFF is extremely pleased to be a part of the strategic partnership between the EPL and ISL. This is an outstanding opportunity for ISL to build from the very best in the business when it comes to running a highly successful league.”
Unofficial image. representation by us.
According to a report in PTI, AIFF vice-president Subhas Chopra, was quoted saying, “For the U-17 World Cup in 2017, FIFA officials have told us that they have kept around $38 million for organizational purpose only.”
Subash Chopra, treasurer Hardev Jadeja and executive committee member Ankur Dutta attended the FIFA congress in Sao Paolo just two days before the start of the 2014 World Cup.
More here : Fifa earmarks $38 million for Under-17 World Cup in India
This is a potboiler, should be better than a Vivek Oberoi movie! 😀
Keeping 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.”