The answer is easy one. The football does not give much money though now a days the player earn almost 15 -20 lakh pa, far better than my salary, & the next is the risk factor is much though before starting my MBA I do not know what was in my future. So the answer is easy one. We do not have faith on Indian Football. Indian Football that’s a truly humorous word in our time but does it! Let’s see what past show to you. Is it truly a humorous word? Let some point to be noted.

1. India is the first country from Asia who was invited to play in World Cup football in 1950

2. India was the first country in whole world who denies participating in World Cup.

3. India was the first country from Asia ended up forth in Olympic.

4. India won the Inaugural Asia Cup.

5. Neville D'Souza was the first & only Asian made hat trick in Olympic against Australia where India won 4-2

6. Do not forget LG Cup, Nehru Cup, Asian Champions Cup, and SAAF Cup which happen between 2002 -2007.

So now tell me friends, is the Indian football is so minnow as we think. I don’t think so. Without the presence of proper infrastructure, proper health, proper education system, and with all the odds still we play we enjoy and try to live with it.

Just ask you one simple question. Why do you read this when you do not have a love for this team, this sports. Now what is the problem here? Why we are lacking in that sports where we have a big potential for this game. Someone can say Cricket is the main cause of destruction of Football, Hockey as well as other sports in India.

But one thing I can say blaming other is easy than face your fault and that we do every time. People can blame this but don’t you think even being NBA & Baseball the best sports, America is still playing football, or the favorite sports of Australia is still Rugby & Cricket but what they get in football is bigger than us now. Now you can think I am saying about those first world countries. No not at all. Even country like China, Mexico, Bosnia, Costa-Rica, Cuba and more in those group of name.

Actually the problem is simple. We do not know how to sell the football. If you know how to do it, it is easy to serve. But who will serve. That old man in that big seat or us. So friends I call us from today, let us come forward and serve the football. Not as footballer not as a lover but as a manager as a businessman, as a server who will take the profit out of the football. The time is come. Let take the chance.

Guest Writer : ANIRBAN PAUL - BANGALORE

Then chief guest Mr. Kanti Ganguly, Hon'ble MIC, Sports, Govt. of West Bengal paid his homage to this great footballer followed by Ramala Chakraborty, family members of Mr. Gostho Paul and other representatives of different clubs of maidan. Mohun Bagan nursery team coach Mr. Amiyo Ghosh along with the entire nursery team of Mohun Bagan also attended the programme to pay homage to Mr. Gostho Paul on behalf of Mohun Bagan Athletic Club.

Members of Mohun Bagan Fan club Sabuj Maroon Swapno, the premier fans club of Mohun Bagan were also present there to show their respect to this great personality on his birthday. They also showed their respect to the Sports minister by handing over a flower bouquet.

This finicky programme ended with the start of the cycle rally that will end at Siliguri. In total twenty three participants have been participated in this rally and all the participants got warm appreciation from the side of Sabuj Maroon Swapno, when their members handed over the rose sticks to them.

Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan Club today also has showed their apt respect to the stalwart in their very homely manner at the club tent. The portrait of Mr. Gostho Paul was placed on the middle of the historic round table and the surrounding was properly decorated with flowers.

Report Courtesy : Sandipan Gupta - SMS

Their great adventure started with the Open Ceremony & Draw, where Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Bobby Charlton and Gary Neville addressed the assembled teams. The Manchester United Team Captain shared the benefit of his experience: “Make sure you go out, do your absolute best and enjoy your football. But above all, make sure you will never have any regrets. This is a really great opportunity for you – don’t ever put yourselves in the position where you look back and wish you had done more.”

In the all important Draw, where they managed to avoid FC Barcelona & host team Manchester United, Right to Dream Academy headed Group B, where they were joined by last years’ finalists SV Werder Bremen, European Premier Cup Champions Bucaspor, Colo Colo & Changchun Yatai.

Day One and an early start under grey Manchester skies saw our boys deliver an assured performance resulting in a well-deserved 2:1 victory over Werder Bremen. As torrential rain and difficult conditions continued throughout the morning, a fresh Changchun Yatai had to work hard to hold them to a goalless draw in their first match of the tournament. Coach Dramani was suitably impressed by the Chinese MUPC Champions: “Their tactical awareness in group play was excellent and the transition from attack to defensive play was first class. They were also physically well prepared.”

Day Two found the sun breaking through the clouds and with it a joyful and commanding presence on the pitch from a well rested Right to Dream, beating the highly fancied European MUPC & Helsinki Cup Champions Bucaspor 2:0. The afternoon brought frustration however when Right to Dream struggled to capitalise on their superiority over a physical and talented side from Colo-Colo.

Coach Dramani was concerned: “This is my first time at MUPC and I have found the two matches a day quite hard on the players. It’s a tough tournament format and asks some hard questions about the mentality of the players too – they need to play, rest, relax and recuperate and then prepare for the next match. There’s little real down-time.

“I’m proud of the way they’ve coped with the conditions, and although pleased that we’ve progressed to the Quarter Finals I am a little disappointed of course that we didn’t finish top of our group. We were certainly the best team. The priority now is to get the boys well-rested overnight before they face Pachuca tomorrow morning.”

Day Three and it was all to play for. The Quarter final match against the Mexican Champions was a bruising encounter and although our boys played well, showing their superior midfield skills for much of the match, Pachuca secured the advantage and Right to Dream’s single goal in reply was not enough. Pachuca progressed to the semis 3:1.

Just an hour later and the young Ghanaians had to face the might of Manchester United, still raw from being knocked out of their quarter final match against old rivals FC Barcelona 3:0. The host team took their retribution for being knocked into 6th place two years ago their 2:1 win leaving the Academy boys fighting this time for a 7/8th place finish.

1730pm saw the third and final match of the day for our youngsters against UK MUPC Champions Newcastle United. Although both teams were tired, the match started briskly – with Right to Dream playing their usual fast paced passing game; their professional attitude and determination to succeed fuelling their 2:1 victory.

Coach Dramani was justifiably proud of his young teams’ performance: “It’s been a tough tournament for the boys, physically and mentally. Learning how to accept defeat is never easy and when it’s at this level it’s tougher than ever. A coach’s job is to help lift them again and I’ll be working on that. I want them to understand the value of the experiences they have had here and be able to use that in the future.

“I think the younger players have actually had a bigger lesson here this week than if we had won – certainly more match-time - so that is a real positive to take forward. They are ideally placed to learn from this experience and bring back everything they have learned next year!”

Academy Manager Andrew Farrant: “To finish 7th in the world at such a prestigious tournament is quite an achievement. MUPC has once again showcased the best young footballers in the world and I am so proud that our boys not only held their own - but were compared favourably to future stars from clubs like FC Barcelona – whose youth development record is legendary. Our boys acquitted themselves incredibly well, with the usual style, grace and fast paced one-touch passing game that has become our trademark. I am pleased to say that not one of our players gave less than 100% and, while results didn’t always go our way, I’m sure we’ve all learned from the experience and will be back next year, stronger than ever.”

Day 1 : (2 - 1) VS Werder Bremen,(0 - 0) Vs Changchun Yatai FC
Day 2 : (2 - 0) Vs Bucaspor, (0 - 0) VS Colo Colo
Day 3 : Q.Final (1 - 3) VS Pachuca FC ,(1 - 2) VS Manchester United
Placement match 7-8 : (2 - 1) VS Newcastle United

The nominated players are Anthony Pereira (Dempo), Subrata Paul (Pune FC), Md Rafi (Mahindra United), Edmar Figueria (Brazil - Pune FC) and Ogba Kalu (Nigeria - Churchill Brothers). Indian players are now practicing under Bob Hougnton at Portugal.The voting time will be started from August 18 and will end on September 10. Out of the five nominees, Anthony Pereira was the nominee of Last Year also.

Last year at Kolkata, Sunil Chhetri was elected in the same category. He beat Jose Ramirez Barreto of Mohun Bagan.

He has been with the club for long and although does no more feature in the starting line-up these days his importance in the team has not eroded at all. This was evident as he helped his club get full three points against Newcastle United in the English Premier League. He came off the bench and with a clinical finish scored the side’s third goal.

In his twilight years with Manchester United he still enjoys his football and remains committed to the game and his Club. He hold his manager, Sir Alex in very high esteems and appreciates the latter’s steely determination and the immense desire of winning match after match. In spite of having played the game for so long for the Club Giggs still has not lost the desire to play the game on a daily basis.

Ryan’s place has now been taken over by the Mexican, Javier Hernandez who should be United’s regular midfielder but for the latter the bench-mark set by Giggs will be a personal challenge. It should also be a point of discussion amongst United fans sitting in the stands or watching on television who may be prone to draw comparisons between the two. The end result could well go in favor of the evergreen hero.

Ghosh, who brought India into the soccer map of World Fotball in the 1980s and early 90s by organising the first Nehru Football Championship in 1982, where a world class footballing Nations like Uruguay, Argentina, Hungary,China, Poland, Russia,Yougoslavia, Rumania etc. played. He was also one of the plan makers of bringing the South Asian Games (formerly SAF) to Kolkata in 1987 and also organised the State Games in 1999.

"Ashok Ghosh was the icon of Indian Football Administration" Says Mr. Praful Patel, current President of AIFF and General Secretary Alberto Colaco and conveyed their condolance to his family and offered prayers for the peace of the departed soul..

State sports minister Kanti Ganguly, Eminent footballers, sports personalities and Officials of other organisers went to Ghosh's residence at Hindusthan Park , Kolkata to pay their respects. His body was taken in a procession to his club Town Club, Netaji Indoor Stadium, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting Clubs, and IFA office where AIFF vice President Subrata Dutta, IFA Secretary Utpal Ganguly and other officials of IFA pay their respect with flower.

Ozil’s German club, Werder Bremen, could release him in favor of Real Madrid if the undisclosed transfer fee is agreed to by the latter club. As things stand the Madrid club could boast of an enviable starting line-up to match their immensely talented Catalan rival, Barcelona FC.

Knowing the Real Madrid boss, Jose Mourinho’s penchant to play in a 4+4+1+1 formation, the possible line-up looks as follows

1. Iker Cassilas (Goal Keeper)

2. Sergio Ramos (Right Side Back)

3. Ricardo Carvalho (Central Defender)

4. Raul Albiol (Central Defender)

5. Marcelo (Left Side Back)

6. Xabi Alonso (Defensive Midfielder)

7. Sami Khedira (Central Midfielder)

8. Mesut Ozil (Right Midfielder)

9. Angel Di Maria/Kaka (Left Midfielder)

10. Cristiano Ronaldo (Central Attacking Midfielder)

11. Gonzalo Higuain (Striker)

In all probability, Mourinho will be tempted to assign Ronaldo to play in the “hole” to cover up the opponent’s untenanted zone. It also means that this formation gives Mourinho enough men to put behind the ball. Alonso and Khedira could well drop down to assist the defense with Ozil and Di Maria working along the wings.

Real Madrid’s play is famous for their free flowing attacking mindset and this line-up does lent more fluidity in their attack as there is every possibility of an interchange of positions between Ozil and Ronaldo. Also, Ricardo Kaka is expected to return from the knee injury and Mourinho will have another card up his sleeve as he can use him in place of Di Maria at times.

A side with as formidable a bench strength such as Madrid’s is enough cause of envy to their opponents. With players of the caliber of Van der Vart, Karim Benzema, Pedro Leon, Canales and Lass in the squad the side should not be an easy push-over for Barcelona in the La Liga.

It will also be another battle of wits for Guardiola (Barcelona) and Mourinho (Real) with the latter outsmarting the former last year when his side Internazionale Milan brushed aside the challenge of Barcelona in the UEFA Champions final to lift the trophy.

East Bengal starts their residential coaching camp at Kalyani Stadium from today . The camp will continue for five days where they will train mainly for fitness. Coach Trevor James Morgan is satisfied with the fields, Swiming pool, Gym and other facilities of Kalyani Stadium .

East Bengal full team is there without Alvito D counha because of his fever. After returning from the Kalyani camp East Bengal will play two friendly matches against local team where coach will select his team for upcoming tournaments.