In this regards the Bengal team members will get gifts from IFA along with financial prizes. In that grand party many famous ex-Indian National and international footballers will present.

Babul Supriyo and Nachiketa will present their music while some Bengali film stars and sports personalities of other sports fields also present there. Sports lover Sports Minister of West Bengal Mr. Kanti Ganguly and Public works Minister Kshiti Goswami will be present. AIFF vice president Subrata Dutta, IFA Secretary Utpal Kumar Ganguly and other IFA high officials and IFA registered club members and Bengal Santosh Trophy team sponsor Tower Group officials will present in the grand party.

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In the rakking , Brazil is 3rd, Germany holds the No. 4 spot and Argentina is 5th. Uruguay comes in 6th, ahead of No. 7 England, 8th-rated Portugal. African champions Egypt and Chile complete an unchanged top 9 and 10.

The FIFA world rankings are determined by points awarded from match results over a 3-year period and the team gets additional points for playing against any strong opponents.

The next September FIFA rankings will take account of more than 50 friendlies scheduled on Wednesday, and qualifiers for continental championships in Europe and Africa.

August Ranking = Top 25 Nations

1    Spain
2    Netherlands
3    Brazil
4    Germany
5    Argentina
6    Uruguay
7    England
8    Portugal
9    Egypt
10    Chile
11    Italy
12    Greece
13    Serbia
14   Croatia
15    Paraguay
16    Russia
17    Switzerland
18    USA
19    Slovenia
20    Australia
21    France
22    Norway
23    Ghana
24    Ukraine
25    Mexico
138   India

Bengal football has now been pushed in the mediocre position in the national level. Though for last few years, officially the crown of the ‘Champion Club of India’ has been donned by either of the two giant clubs of Kolkata, yet honestly we must admit, that does not reveal the actual scenario. Previously Bengal had the record of winning the Santosh Trophy for 5 times in a row from 1975 to 1979 and 6 times from 1994 to 1999 .

The record of was broken by team Bengal itself by creating a new record of winning six consecutive times during the period ‘93-’94 to ‘98-’99. The last win brought the stalemate for the Bengal team, though the second highest winner and the also finalist of the just finished Santosh Trophy, Punjab, have so far been able to win the trophy for only 8 times, standing far behind the overall record of Bengal.

This year after being held by Delhi in the inaugural match, Bengal came back sharply against Mizoram to score an emphatic 7-1 win. But this was followed by a stunning 1-2 defeat at the hands of Tamil Nadu. The road of semi-final against Goa was crossed via tie-breaker. And in the final Bengal had to come from behind after conceding a goal. In a way, the final was a revenge of the final of ’74 where Punjab allegedly took the help of unfair means to defeat Bengal by 6-0.

The goal scored by Bengal within 3 minutes was rejected by the referee. Crowd entered the ground to disturb the Bengal team. The captain of that Bengal team was Ashokelal Banerjee under the coaching of Nikhil Nandi. The then stopper of the Punjab team, Jarnail Singh stood as an object of terror in the field.

Victory of Bengal this year was not a clear-sweep, yet we had the opportunity to see our TFA cadet Robin Singh as a budding Star, a newly-discovered Denson Devadasa and good shapes in the likes of Jayanta Sen and Snehashis Chakraborty. We saw our Goalkeeper Abhra Mondol's outstanding performances in Semi final and Final . But only the time will answer, whether Bengal football will ultimately able to recover its lost glory in the national level.

Courtesy: Prasanta Gupta - Secretary :Laal Holud Biswa Fan Club of East Bengal

It was not an easy tournament for Bengal. Especially after being unsuccessful in each and every occasion in this new millennium, it was almost a do or die for this young Bengal brigade to perform well in the home soil. Not only that, in past eight occasions, when ever Santosh Trophy was organized in Bengal, in every occasion the home team emerged as the champion. So, this time it was also a big challenge for the team to keep the record on.

The squad had lots of injury problem from the very first match of the tournament, but the dedication of these players helped the team to overcome all barriers to answer those critics who criticized Bengal football as “Bengal Football is over, there is no future in Bengal football.” Bengal boys could answer those critics even in 2007 or in 2009, but we lost in the final both the occasions via Tie-Breaker against Punjab and Goa respectively. But in 2010, things had completely reversed. First of all we beat our arch rival in National circuit, Goa in Semi Final and then we got a sweet revenge of 2007 via a superb 2-1 victory in the final over Punjab. Most importantly in both the occasions Bengal back from behind to win the match.

During last few years, it was a continuous talk regarding the supply line of Bengal players. Many of experts thought that the local Bengali footballers are not up to the mark. If we look back few years ago, we can see that Tollygunge Agragami played for eight consecutive seasons in the top tier of Indian Football mainly banking on the local fellows. In last 2-3 years Chirag United also did the same and we, the green and maroon fanatics are really happy with the performance of these local lads and really optimistic regarding the performance of our beloved club for this season, as in the coming season Mohun Bagan will also have the majority of local lads. Seven players of this Santosh Trophy winning team are from our club.

Snehasish Chakraborty, Jayanta Sen, Souvik Chakraborty and Gouranga Dutta – this was the midfield line for the Bengal team and this season hopefully these combination will help Mohun Bagan to grab some National level tournaments. Meanwhile, Seikh Azim, Habibur and Dhanarajan will also be our strength in the defence line. Moreover, we are happy to see our midfield star, Snehasish to lift the Santosh Trophy as the captain of the team. So, overall the performance of these local lads clearly suggests that Mohun Bagan officials did a right thing in team recruiting, providing major focus on the young Bengali brigade.

Apart from all these, what we can say that this year’s football season in Bengal has got the right gear and this win will surely boost up the Kolkata teams to perform better in the coming National level tournaments. This Santosh Trophy also brought all the different club supporters close together; be Mohun Bagan supporters, be East Bengal supporters, or supporters of Chirag United or Md. Sporting Club, all shouted to support Bengal in the final match. And from a fan’s perspective the best moment of the final was nothing but a Green and Maroon fan celebrating with a Red and Gold fan. We will be rivals for the entire season but we start the season shouting for Bengal altogether.

On behalf of all soccer crazy fans-------Sabuj Maroon Swapno would like to congratulate the Bengal squad for making the province conquerors after a long drawn wait for 11 odd years. This victory once again shows the ascendancy of Bengal in the football fraternity and regaining its lost glory once again.

FELICITATION TO SANTOSH TROPHY WINNING MOHUN BAGAN PLAYERS BY SABUJ MAROON SWAPNO FANS CLUB

After 11 years, Bengal has got back their own trophy- the Santosh Trophy and seven players from Mohun Bagan were there in this Santosh Trophy winning Bengal squad. Snehasish Chakraborty is the man who led the team to stop all the criticism against Bengal football.

So, today on behalf of all the Mohun Bagan supporters, Sabuj Maroon Swapno, the premier Fans club of Mohun Bagan Athletic Club has felicitated those players at club lawn after morning practice session. Jayanta Sen and Gouranga Dutta were absent in today’s practice and Habibur left the club just after the practice due to some urgency, so four players- Snehasish, Azim, Souvick and Dhanarajan were present during the felicitation programme.

Mr. Atindranath Sen, the Football Secretary of Mohun Bagan AC felicitated Snehasish, Mr. Joy Kandu, Executive Committee member of Mohun Bagan AC felicitated Souvick, Ishfaq felicitated Azim and Dhanarajan was felicitated by Manish Maithani in presence of other team mates and supporters.

Courtesy: Sandipan Gupta - Secretary :Sabuj Maroon Swapno Fan Club of Mohun Bagan

SUFC will formulate a 12-month programme where their coach in charge will be entrusted to impart lessons on technical aspects of the game, the fitness coach will advise the team on sport science, strength and conditioning work and dietary requirements to TFA Coaches and cadets. The training will also include lessons on strategy for player recruitment, identification and profiling. The agreement was first of its kind in the Asian sub-continent. On an exchange visit as part of the curriculum,every year TFA boys will visit for training to SUFC and they also will came to TFA for the same.

Some Famous TFA Production for Indian Football

1992 : Carlton Chapman, Aloke Das, Raju Ganguly, Godfrey Pereira, Toushif Jamal, Goutam Ghosh , K.Khen Thang Paite

1996 :Renedy Singh, Kalyan Choubey, Dipendu Biswas, Lolendro Singh, Shankarlal Chakraborty, Anit Kumar Ghosh.

1998 : Mahesh Gawali, Nowl Wilson, Deepak Kumar Mandal, James Singh, Naseem Akhtar,Roque Barreto.

2000 : Clifford Miranda, Trijit Das, Sur Kumar Singh, Alex Ambrose, Amandeep Singh, Nepoleon Singh Satish Kumar Bharti, Kumar Samson Singh

2002 : Manas Barua, Tulunga, Syed Rahim Nabi, Subhash Chakraborty, V.P.Satish Kumar.

2004 : Habibur Rahaman, Gouramangi Singh, Debabrata Roy, Zerry Zirsangha, Gurpreet Singh, Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, Vanlal Rova, Subrata Pal,

2006 :Lester Fernandez, P. C. Lalawmpuia, Arindam Bhattacharjee, Robert Lalthlamuana, Shilton Paul, Naoba Singh, Khanthang Paite,

2008 : Cheeradeep Chatterjee, Branco Cardozo, Rakesh Masih, Rino Anto, Goutam Kujur, Mumtaz Akhtar , Henry Gangte, K.Jibon Singh, Hiralal Chettri, Lalramluaha, Malsawmkima,

2010 : Niroshan Mani, Raju Gaikwad, S.K.Mustakim, Subodh Kumar, Jagroop Singh, Robin Singh, Abhishek Das, Jagtar Singh, Jagdeep Singh, Gurjinder Kumar

Organised by the Palestinian Sport Office in Lebanon, The Palestine Homeless World Cup team will be selected on 25 August from homeless people living in the camps of Lebanon, due to conflict. Players will come from the refugee camps Rashdie, Albass, Al boorj el shamaly, Ain al hilwa, Borj al barajna, Sabra ana shatila, Al badawi and Balbak.

President, Palestinian Office for Youth and Sports in Lebanon, Mr. Mohammad Zaidani, said: "It is a great honor to choose a team of homeless people from the Lebanese camps, to share with their brothers and sisters from all nationalities, religions all the great moments at the Rio 2010 Homeless World Cup.These Palestinian camps have suffered hunger, murder and aggression. Today sport is the only outlet for these youths who have experienced such loss.

"The goal of the Palestinian team is to be distinguished and honorable and prove our capabilities in this great event. Everyone must know that sport is the language that we know to force the world to hear our rights to live with honor and dignity away from the houses made of tin.

"We must thank the Homeless World Cup and Rio 2010 Organising Committee for the excellent support provided to the Palestinian team to overcome all the difficulties to reach this great event."

Mel Young, President, Homeless World Cup said: ”We are truly delighted that a national football team from Palestine will travel to the 8th Rio 2010 Homeless World Cup. Homelessness exists in every nation of the world, from the richest to the poorest. Palestine has a place in our family. We are delighted that Brazil is welcoming Palestine to unite with 64 nations for a world-class football tournament that clearly demonstrates football has the power to change the world.”

The Homeless World Cup is an annual world class, international football tournament inspiring 64 national grass roots football projects and over 30,000 homeless players to change their lives: over 70% change for the better. It has been hosted successfully by Graz, Austria in 2003; Gothenburg, Sweden in 2004, Edinburgh, United Kingdom in 2005, Cape Town, South Africa in 2006, Copenhagen, Denmark in 2007, Melbourne, Australia in 2008 and Milan, Italy in 2009. It is supported by Nike, United Nations, UEFA, global ambassador Eric Cantona and international footballers Rio Ferdinand and Didier Drogba.

Mumbai District Football Association team was captained by Shri Asif Ansari. They played four matches, winning all of them and scoring a total of 17 Goals without conceding a single goal. Kudos for the goal keeper – Vian Joseph.Winning the trophy was a delight said the Manager Shri Francis Fernandes. The team was coached by Shri Julian D’Silva.

Franseco Salian scored nine goals and was selected man of the tournament.With this Winners trophy, Mumbai District Football Association have won all the Maharashtra State Inter District football tournaments held for men for the season.

Mumbai District Football Association are Winners for the Maharashtra State Inter District football tournaments in the U – 17, U – 19, and Seniors category. A felicitation function has organized by Mumbai District Football Association at Y. B. Chavan Centre to honour the victorious team on Monday, 9th August, 2010.

Earlier in this year,the group is headed by businessman Subrata Roy and was named as one of a number of parties interested to participate in the bid for taking over the historical EPL giant club Liverpool FC which were put up for sale.

When Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton requesting all interested bidding parties to submit proof of funding with a deadline set this week then Sahara India said in a statement that, they have decided to withdraw their bid and pulled out of the race to buy a 51 per cent stake in the financially troubled Liverpool Football Club.

Chinese businessman Kenny Huang and Syrian Yahya Kirdi are still the two front runners.

After 111 years Janbazar SC lifted IFA organised prestegious Trade Challenga Cup 2010. In the Final at Rabindra Sarovar Stadium, Kolkata They beat Calcutta Football Club(CFC) via sudden death 6-5.

In the schedule time the result was 1-1. Before starting of the famous IFA Sahra CFL of 17th August, the win of Janbazar will boost them to make a good result in the Tournament.

They beat Mouri Sporting 3- 0 in the semi final match.

Winning the final was a challenge for the home side as they had to prove to the football lovers of the state and the country that Bengal football was still alive and a major force in the Indian scenario. Importantly, none of the Bengal Clubs, McDowell Mohun Bagan, Kingfisher East Bengal or Chirag United has won the prestigious I-League, the epitome of club supremacy in the recent past.

Playing on the field-turf surface at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Bengal found themselves a goal down early in the first half after a horrible mistake by their dependable custodian. The Kerala born Bengal medio Denson Devdas of Chirag restored parity of a flick-header from an excellent swerving flag-kick of Bengal skipper, Snehasish Chakraborty. This was during the injury time play in the first half.

In the second half Bengal coach, Shabbir Ali’s imaginative change of bringing in Souvik Chakraborty in place of a striker lent bite to the midfield and Bengal had more of the ball possession and control. Although playing with a lone striker, Robin Singh, their supremacy was so evident that it was just a matter of time for the Punjab side to capitulate. Around the second quarter of the second half, the inevitable happened as Denson Devdas again scored of a top-of-the-box quality pile driver which crashed into the top corner of the net giving little chance to the Punjab custodian.

Thereafter it was just a matter of time for Bengal’s captain to lift the silver trophy again after a wait of 11 long years. The win brought accolades from various quarters. The West Bengal Government announced a Rs. 5 lac reward. Mr. Kaustav Roy the Chirag United boss and the IFA Secretary also announced similar sums as rewards. The Tower Group, main sponsors of the Bengal squad announced an all expense paid holiday trip to Malaysia for the entire squad.

Importantly, this win and the flow of reward and recognition to footballers is a welcome sight as this will ensure rejuvenation of football in this part of the country. On behalf of kolkatafootball.com a big “Thank You” to all those connected with this victory, the entire squad, the Government, the IFA, the Clubs, the media channel telecasting the matches live and the sponsors. We hope to see many more such on-field victories in the coming days.