INDIAN FOOTBALL NEWS 2020 (AUG)

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Vedanta to expand Grassroots football Development program across the country, after huge success of SFA in Goa

30.08.20: Press Release Vedanta to expand Grassroots football Development program across the country, after huge success of SFA in Goa. - Mr. Annanya Agarwal, President, Vedanta Sports reiterated the Vision of Sports Development across the country during FICCI FRAMES-LEAP 2020

Goa, 28th August, 2020: After the massive success of Sesa Football Academy at Goa since its inception in 1999, Vedanta aims to expand the reach of grassroot football development program to Odisha and other parts of the country. Vedanta recently launched Zinc Football Academy at Zawar, Rajasthan reaching out to aspiring footballers across the state. Mr.Annanya Agarwal, President, Vedanta Sports announced the Group’s vision of positive transformation in sports through quality grassroots training programs across the country, at FICCI FRAMES-LEAP 2020.

Addressing the forum at FICCI’s virtual event on ‘Transformation through Sports Education’, Mr. Annanya Agarwal said, “We are extremely happy with the huge success of our grassroots football development models at Goa and Rajasthan. We aim to continue this journey towards development of sports and contribute towards the larger goal of transforming sports in the country. Our robust community engagement plan through sports initiatives reaches out to all sections of society. Vedanta Women's League is a one of its kind platform launched at Goa, and we also have plans to expand it further at a national level." He also added "I am very happy to see the growing importance of sports in the Indian education system. Sports can indeed be transformative – the values that it helps inculcate and the teachings it can imbibe are unparalleled and is extremely beneficial for the holistic development of an individual.”

Vedanta has made considerable investments focusing firmly on the development of grassroots football through the state-of-art academies in Goa and Rajasthan in line with Vedanta’s commitment to the cause of contributing towards taking Indian football to next level. Vedanta Sesa Goa Iron Ore’s Sesa Football Academy in Goa and Hindustan Zinc-run Zinc Football in Udaipur are operating successfully and churning out quality footballers.

FICCI FRAMES-LEAP (Learn, Educate, Apply, Progress) is the world’s first & largest online conference on Education and Skilling in Media & Entertainment sector, with a view to anchor discussions around formalising the Media and Entertainment curriculum in the education system & making future ready Media & Entertainment professionals.

The ultimate dream as a Nation is to qualify for the World Cup, says Sandesh ‘Arjuna’ Jhingan

AIFF PRESS RELEASEW-29.08.20: Moments after Sandesh Jhingan became the 27th Indian Footballer to receive the Arjuna Award, the towering central defender in a freewheeling interview to www.the-aiff.com spoke on a variety of topics ranging from his childhood memory of the Arjuna Award, the virtual ceremony, his "proud parents," significance of the Award, the “ultimate dream of qualifying for the World Cup,” his “notebooks decorated with names of the Class of 2011,” and much more. EXCERPTS:



Q : When you first started playing professional football, did you ever dream of being an Arjuna?
Initially, the dream was just to get into the National Team. But you set different goals as you grow up, and the Arjuna Award was one of that. Our ultimate dream as a nation is to qualify for the FIFA World Cup but there are certain steps which we need to climb on the pathway – like being regular for the AFC Asian Cup, breaking into the top 100, then into the top 50, winning tournaments at home, and abroad. Physically and mentally, you need to be in sync. As players, we need to stay hungry.

Q : What is your first memory of the Arjuna Award?
I was some 16 or 17 years old when Deepak-bhai (Mondal) and Sunil-bhai (Chhetri) won the Arjuna Award in 2010 and 2011 respectively. I have always had a fascination for suits but as a teenager, I realised that there was something in that red suit which they wore. You could not buy that, you had to earn it. That excited me. In this world there are so many Awards nowadays --- but I felt that the Arjuna Award was something else. I watched them receiving the Award from the President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Somewhere my inner voice told me -- “You need to be there someday.”

Q :The ceremony was a virtual one this time.
Under current circumstances that were on the cards, and no complaints at all. The Secretariat House in Chandigarh is a grand place too. As kids, we grew up looking at it with awe from outside. So getting into it -- that too to receive the Arjuna Award is huge -- that’s my happiness. But life does not end here. The fact that I have not been able to meet the honourable President motivates me to do more, and get an appointment with him in the near future.

Q :Whom do you dedicate the Award to?
When I first received the news the first reaction was to visualise how proud my parents would feel. This Award is all for them, and my brothers. It’s a momentous occasion for my parents to see their younger son receive the Arjuna Award. Tomorrow they will walk with their head further higher knowing that their son is an Arjuna. The same applies to my brothers. I may have received it physically -- but is on behalf of them, as much as I have received it on behalf of all my coaches – from my brother, to Sourav, the man who taught me to play football with the tennis ball, the school team coach to the Academy team coach to the coaches in the National Team set-up.

Q :Is the Award a motivation, or an extra pressure -- given that you are now in an elite list -- not just from football, but across all sports and legendary sportsperson.
People who know me know how much I crave to be under pressure. But I see this Award as a responsibility. I thrive under the responsibility. I always prefer to be that guy in the room with all the responsibility than one sitting at the corner. The recognition of my performances makes me extremely happy. A big Thank You to the AIFF President Mr. Praful Patel and General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das for nominating me.

Q : Sunil Chhetri mentioned that ‘Sandesh is someone whom I trust blindly and can go to war all secured with him.
Sometimes I pinch myself to just feel whether all of these are real. I had wallpapers of Sunil-bhai, Subrata-bhai (Paul), Mangi-bhai (Gouramangi Singh), Climax-bhai (Lawrence) and all others on my mobile phone. My notebooks were decorated with their names all over. And now these legends talk about me – it’s a surreal feeling. I am extremely privileged to learn so much from them. That’s my Award.

AIFC & FCA SIGNED AN OFFICIAL MOU

27.08.20: Association of Indian Football Coaches(AIFC) & Football Coaches Australia signed an official MoU for the betterment of coaches on 26th August 2020.

Under the MoU, the associations will collaborate across key areas by mutually assisting each other, introducing standard contracts for coaches within their country, set up strategic partnerships to support the professional development & wellbeing of coaches & encourage the involvement of more female coaches & also increase the access to football for all participants. This MoU will help to build careers in football in an economically sustainable manner & it will ensure that coaching roles are properly safeguarded and attractive to each nation’s best talent.

AIFC Director Dinesh Nair said to their official blog that, “We are happy to make our relationship official by signing this MoU. After supporting each other in our journey to equip and educate our coaches, with this Agreement we look forward to working together for the betterment of our coaches. In the past year, we have engaged with each other by conducting coaches’ workshop, webinars etc. Making it official will help us learn from each other, share best practices and also grow together.”

Football Coaches Australia Chief Executive, Glenn Warry said in official blog that, “The MoU with AIFC reinforces our vision of promoting and strengthening the reputation of football in Australia and the reputation of Australian football on the world stage. We are committed to working together to develop support systems for Australian and Indian professional football coaches as they seek to pursue their careers in the Asian Football region. Australia and India have historically had strong relations within the sports of hockey and cricket. Given that the Indian football team first toured Australia in 1935 it is overdue for our Associations to develop an identity for football in our important cultural relationship.

There are a number of potential opportunities for both parties to collectively advance professional development, employment, cultural and commercial opportunities for football coaches.”

FIFA Foundation and UPL sign memorandum of understanding to promote sustainable development and education through football.

FIFA PRESS RELEASE-25.08.2020 : The FIFA Foundation and UPL Ltd. have today announced a new collaboration agreement that will see the two organisations join forces to promote and raise awareness about sustainable development in agriculture and education in society through football.



Image Caption: (L-R: Youri Djorkaeff, FIFA Foundation CEO, Gianni Infantino, FIFA President and President of the FIFA Foundation Board, Jai Shroff, Chief Executive Officer - UPL and Mauricio Macri, Executive Chairman of the FIFA Foundation)”

As part of the new memorandum of understanding (MoU), the FIFA Foundation and UPL will work together to use football as a platform to raise awareness about several key social and environmental issues, including the positive impact that sustainable development, environmental protection, educating young people and leading a healthy and active lifestyle can make within society.

In particular, UPL will collaborate within the FIFA Foundation’s Football for Schools Programme, designed to engage children in interactive education sessions focused on developing life skills and promoting values through football.

Furthermore, UPL will also coordinate access to the FIFA Football for Schools Programme for up to 30 schools in rural areas in Brazil, as well as engaging with local authorities in key markets.

UPL and the FIFA Foundation will also work together to support sustainable development objectives and environmental protection efforts through a ten-year programme that will enable the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and reward smallholder farmers in developing markets for adopting sustainable agricultural practices.

The new MoU between the FIFA Foundation and UPL was signed today at a high-level ceremony at the FIFA museum in Zurich, with Gianni Infantino (FIFA President and President of the FIFA Foundation Board), Mauricio Macri (Executive Chairman of the FIFA Foundation), Youri Djorkaeff (FIFA Foundation CEO) and Fatma Samoura (FIFA Secretary General) in attendance together with Jai Shroff (Chief Executive Officer, UPL) and Diego Lopez Casanello (Chief Operating Officer of UPL).

SANDESH JHINGAN: WINNERS OF ARJUNA AWARD 2020

22.8.20: The 27 years old Indian central defender Sandesh Jhingan was honoured with Arjuna Award, one of the prestigious award given by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India to recognize and reward excellence in sports. Sandesh became the 27th footballers to to win the honour.



Last year the goalkeeper Gurprit Singh Sandhu won the award for his achievement and contribution in Indian football.

BRIEF CAREER OF SANDESH JHINGAN
CLUBS IN INDIA: United Sikkim (2011-13), Mumbai City FC (2013-14), Sporting Clube, Goa (2015-on loan), Kerala Blasters FC (2014-20), DSK Shivajians (2016-on loan), Bengaluru FC (2017-on loan)
INTERNATIONAL MATCHES:
India U-23 (2014-6 matches)
India (36 matches since 2015, scored 4 goals)

Sandesh proved himself as one of the important member of Indian national team since his debut in 2015 in Guwahati. Though he was injured in the last season as a result of which missed the matches in Indian Super League and India's international matches in World Cup qualifier and Asian Cup qualifiers.

The President of All India Football Federation Praful Patel congratulated Sandesh as he said in his massage,“Sandesh's spirit and tenacity have been such a remarkable hallmark in Indian Football in recent times. You fully deserve this honour and we are extremely proud of you. Keep the Indian flag flying high."

The General Secretary of All India Football Federation, Kushal Das feels Sandesh is a deserving recipient of the Arjuna Award. Kushal Das added that Arjuna award is also an award of recognition for Indian football.

LIST OF ARJUNA AWARDS IN FOOTBALL

1	1961	P. K. Banerjee
2	1962	Tulsidas Balaram
3	1963	Chuni Goswami
4	1964	Jarnail Singh
5	1965	Arun Lal Ghosh
6	1966	Yousuf Khan
7	1967	Peter Thangaraj
8	1969	Inder Singh
9	1970	Syed Naeemuddin
10	1971	C. P. Singh
11	1973	Magan Singh
12	1978–79	Gurdev Singh Gill
13	1979–80	Prasun Banerjee
14	1980–81	Mohammed Habib
15	1981	Sudhir Karmakar
16	1983	Shanti Mullick
17	1989	Subrata Bhattacharya
18	1997	Brahmanand Sankhwalkar
19	1998	Baichung Bhutia
20	2002	Bruno Coutinho
21	2003	I. M. Vijayan
22	2010	Deepak Kumar Mondal
23	2011	Sunil Chhetri
24	2016	Subrata Paul
25	2017	Oinam Bembem Devi
26	2019	Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
27	2020	Samdesh Jingham.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND IN A PARTNERSIP WITH HYDERABAD FC

HRDERABAD FC MEDIA-20.8.20: German football giants Borussia Dortmund (BVB) and Indian Super League Club Hyderabad FC (HFC) launched today a new two-year club partnership with an option to extend for additional years with an extended scope until 2025.

BVB, which is renowned for its success and specialization in nurturing and developing young players will focus on building and supporting HFC on its academy structure as well as guiding HFCs’ coaches on coaching education. The partnership will also include BVB’s expertise in technology to drive innovation; enhance connectivity between the clubs, and positively grow and expand its fan base.


In addition to providing excellent brand visibility and raising each of the club’s profile among football fans around the Indian sub-continent, the partnership is particularly good news for football supporters in India, as it shows a long-term commitment of one of the biggest German football brands to the Indian football ecosystem.

Carsten Cramer, Managing Director of Borussia Dortmund said, “I am delighted to announce this partnership with HFC, which comes at a quite challenging time for all of us during this Covid-19 pandemic, as this partnership shows that sports and particularly football can unites people from all over the world and I’m grateful for the trust that the board of HFC has in us.”

Varun Tripuraneni, co-owner Hyderabad FC said, “We’re extremely delighted and honored to partner Borussia Dortmund, one of the biggest clubs in the world. This partnership is an historic one for Indian football and start of a new era at HFC. We at Hyderabad, are committed to developing the football ecosystem in the region and our association with BVB will go a long way in helping us achieve success both on and off the pitch.”

BVB APAC Managing Director, Suresh Letchmanan, further echoed of the positive growth and development of Indian football in the last five years and its relentless pursuit of football excellence. “We therefore look forward towards achieving shared successes, both on and off the pitch, as we continue to build nice stories and special experiences for our fans in India and around the region.”


With this agreement HFC will become the first and exclusive Club Partner of BVB in India. A first of such a cooperation for HFC and the fourth one for BVB with its currently ongoing club partnerships with Thai Premier League Club Buriram United, Australia’s NPL Club Marconi FC and Iwate Grulla Morioka in Japan.

SUDEVA TO START WITH 'ALL INDIA XI' IN I LEAGUE

20.8.20: Sudeva FC, the new entrants fo otball team in the forth coming I League 2020-21 at Kolkata are set to field an “All Indian XI” team.

This was intimated by Club President Anuj Gupta in a interview with AIFF TV.
In his massage Anuj Gupta said, "Everyone knows how hard Indian players are working in the pre-season. So as a matter of policy this year I’ve decided to field an entirely Indian team. I will not appoint any foreign player this year. I want to have a team with both young and mature players. It's not that I will be playing with just young players, I will also have at least 6 to 8 experienced Indian players who can create a nice atmosphere for the youngsters. I want to grow the team as a big family on and off the field. Let's hope Sudeva will be able to do justice of being in Hero I-League in its maiden season.”

In fact Sudeva FC will include the young and talented youths from their academy. Sudeva academy trained youths after having spoted them even from the remote villages. While interacting Anuj Gupta said, " "The idea of starting Sudeva was to develop players and make sure they go through a pathway so that they play at the top level eventually. More than performing well in the team, football can secure life and provide a job for them."

ATK MOHUN BAGAN TO PLAY THEIR HOME MATCHES AT FATORDA

18.8.20: ATK Mohun Bagan FC will play the HOME matches for the upcoming season at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Fatorda. As it was already decided by FSDL that all the matches of the seventh edition of Indian Super League will played at close door at Goa following the COVIT 19 pandemic.
Apart from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Fatorda, the other venues of the competition are GMC Athletic Stadium, in Bambolim and Tilak Maidan, in Vasco.

> The teams are divided in three groups based on last season’s final League standings. In Group A, defending champions ATK Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru FC and FC Goa will play their home matches at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. In Group B , Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City FC, Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters FC set to play their games at the GMC Athletic Stadium, in Bambolim. While in Group C NorthEast United FC, Jamshedpur FC and Hyderabad FC would play at Tilak Maidan, in Vasco.

The matches will be at close door at all the venues, but if situation improves, Goa administration may allow some spectators at the stadiums in later stages of the tournament.

Bengaluru FC to play ‘home’ matches from Nehru Stadium, in Fatorda

18.8.20: Blues Grouped Alongside ATK Mohun Bagan and FC Goa As Indian Super League Readies For Kick Off In November

Following the Indian Super League’s decision to host the entirety of the 2020-21 season in Goa, it has been announced that Bengaluru FC will play its ‘home’ matches for the upcoming season at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Fatorda. Decided based on last season’s final League standings, the Blues will share their venue with current champions ATK (now ATK Mohun Bagan) and 2019-20 League winners FC Goa.
With the Nehru Stadium serving as Bengaluru FC’s ‘home ground’, Carles Cuadrat’s men are set to play 11 games at the venue, which would include home games against each of the other nine sides and ‘away’ clashes against ATK Mohun Bagan and FC Goa. The Blues, meanwhile, are no strangers to the venue, having lifted their maiden I-League title in 2014 with a 2-4 win against Dempo SC at the Fatorda, before going on to lift the Federation Cup title at the same venue the following year.

It was also announced that teams to finish between fourth and seventh place would consist of Group B, with Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City FC, Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters FC set to play its games at the GMC Athletic Stadium, in Bambolim. NorthEast United FC, Jamshedpur FC and Hyderabad FC would play out of the Tilak Maidan, in Vasco, in Group C.

GOA TO HOST THE SEVENTH EDITION OF ISL

16.8.20: Goa to host the seventh edition of Indian Super League which is expected to kick off at the middle of November. This was officially announced by FSDL in a press statement.
ISL now being ranked as the fourth most popular league in the world, whereas on social media with 38 million fan interactions, which indicates of the phenomenal rise of Indian football.

It has been decided that the matches will be played at three venews - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, GMC Athletic Stadium, Bambolim, and Tilak Maidan Stadium, Vasco. The matches will be played at close door due to world wide Covit 19 pandemic.


It is indeed a great news for Indian football as Indian Super League team Hyderabad FC are now in a technical tie up with a top ranking BUNDESHLIGA team. Today Hyderabad FC announced a two years partnership with Bundeshliga team BORUSSIA DORTMUND. The partnership is likely to extend till 2025.
Hyderabad FC becomes the official 'Club Partner' of Dortmund in India, the German clubs fourth partnerships, which includes Buriram United of Thailand, Australia’s NPL Club Marconi FC and Iwate Grulla Morioka in Japan.


The teams to participate in the seventh edition of ISL are ATK Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru FC, Chennaiyin FC, FC Goa, Hyderabad FC, Jamshedpur FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Odisha FC, North East United FC.

This year the competition will be played in a new format. The participating ten teams will be divided in to three groups initially which will be followed by the knockout stages. The participating ten teams will be provide with an individual training pitch. Such training pitches have been identified in the state of Goa, which will see upgrades over the next month before handing it over to the respective clubs. Moreover FSDL will upgrade the infrastructure and improve pitch and drainage refurbishment or maintenance, floodlights and competition area uplift including players dressing rooms at each of the three stadiums.

In her massage Mrs Nita Ambani, Founder & Chairperson, Football Sports Development Limited, said " “I am delighted to bring the ISL Season 7 to the state of Goa, from where we had left the action last season. Congratulations to the beautiful state of Goa and their passionate fans of football, as they once again become the epicenter of the beautiful game in India.Sport is one of the greatest expressions of solidarity and a source of happiness for people around the world.

My gratitude to all our clubs, players, and staff for their fortitude and resilience during these unprecedented times. I look forward to the upcoming season of ISL as we showcase, through football, the triumph of human spirit in fighting the pandemic with hope and courage.”

ISL proved to be one of the most popular football tournament in the country today with some important changes like the merger of ATK and 130 years old Kolkata gaint Mohun Bagan club and City Football Group’s investment in Mumbai City FC.

IFA OBSERVED THE 40th EDITION OF 'FOOTBALL LOVERS DAY'

VIDEO LINK

16.8.20: THE INDIAN FOOTBALL ASOOCIATION (IFA) observed the 40th 'Football Lovers Day' at Netaji Indoor Stadium today through voluntary blood donation of football fans like past 39 years. This year's blood donation programme was Exceptional due to COVID-19 (Corona virus) attacked throughout the World. In spite of that, huge no of Football fans donated their blood through out the West bengal in memory of the said Day.


VIDEO LINK

The 16th of August 1980, was the tragic day in the history of Indian football. On the date at Eden Gardens of Kolkata, sixteen ill fated football lovers had to sacrifice their life in a CFL derby between the arch rivals East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. The incident took place after Referee Sudhin Chatterjee ordered Dilip Palit of East Bengal and Bidesh Bose of Mohun Bagan to march-off the ground following a collision between the two footballers at the 57th minute of the match.


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This year a total of 896 Football fans donated their Blood (INCLUDING Siliguri) through out West Bengal. At Netaji Indoor Stadium-Kolkata 228 Football Fans donated their Blood and 668 fans of other 14 spots of Bengal Donated thrie Blood . The Bood Donation ceremony inaugurated by Honable Sports Minister of West Bengal Mr. Arup Biswas. In the Occation other than IFA Secretary Jaydip Mukherjee, Ex-footballers like Compton Dutta ( Mohun Bagan player and Captain of the said black day), Satyjit Mitra ( Ex- footballer and Captain of East Bengal of the black day) and ex-East Bengal player of the black day Manaranjan bhattacharyya were Present. Three top officials of three big Giant of Kolkata viz - Debabrata Sarkar ( East Bengal), Debasish Dutta ( ATK-Mohun Bagan), Wasim Akram ( Mohammedan SC) were also present today at Netaji Indoor Stadium.


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In the year 2019, 948 football lovers donated their valuable blood. Out of 948 doners, 480 people are from Kolkata. 45 people from Burdwan, 44 people from Chittaranjan, 36 people from Siliguri, 68 people from Taki, 20 people from Kulti, 34 people from Purulia, 189 people from Ghatal, 32 people from Midnapur other district organisation under IFA.

IFA TO OBSERVE THE TRAGIC HISTORY OF KOLKATA FOOTBALL AS 'FOOTBALL LOVERS DAY'

15.8.20: The 16th of August 1980, is the tragic day in the history of Indian football. At the Eden Gardens of Kolkata ,sixteen ill fated football lovers had to sacrifice their life in a CFL derby between the arch rivals East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. The incident took place after Referee Sudhin Chatterjee ordered Dilip Palit of East Bengal and Bidesh Bose of Mohun Bagan to march-off the ground following a collision between the two footballers at the 57th minute of the match.


Usually, the fans of the rival clubs sit in separate galleries, but on that day the fans of both the clubs were at Block D which is one of the prime reason of the incident. The incidence took place at the upper tier of Block D. Young fans jumped off the high stands on to concrete floors to save themselves while many tried to flee through the narrow gates, which led many to fall down after police took action to stop chaos between the supporters of both the clubs. It caused an inevitable stampede that took the lives of 16 football fans in the ill fated 70 minutes Derby match which ended goalless.

The 16 ill fated Fans who died on 16th August 1980 :
Dhananjoy Das, Uttam Chawule, Asim Chatterjee, Alok Das, Prasanta Dutta, Sanat Basu, Rabin Adak, Kartik Majhi, Samir Das, Nabin Naskar, Shayamal Biswas, Kalyan Samanta, Biswajit Kar, Madan Mohon Bagli, Kartik Maity, Himangshu Sekhar Das.
IFA had to suspend the CFL as well as IFA Sheild in 1980 following the saddest incedence of Kolkata maidan.

Unlike every year, IFA along with Association of Voluntary Blood Donors, West Bengal will observe the day as FOOTBALL LOVERS DAY on 16th of August in memory of the 16 ill fated football lovers in Kolkata as well as some other cities of West Bengal. IFA Secretary Jaydeep Mukherjee while discussing with kolkatafootball.com said, Each donor will get a certificate of honor which is duly signed by Compton Dutta, Captain of Mohun Bagan on that year as well as that ill fated match day of 16th August 1980 against arch rival East Bengal.



EAST BENGAL: Dilip Paul, Dilip Palit, Manoranjan Bhattacharjee, Sudhir Karmakar, Satyajit Mitra (C), Md Habib, Samar Bhattacharjee, Md Khabaji, Tapan Das, Majid Biskar, Jamshed Nasiri.

RESERVE BENCH: Nasir Ahmed, Md. Najib, Subhash Roy, Amit Guha, Somnath Banerjee, Lafituddin, Sumit Bagchi, Tomas Mathuz, Bibhas Sarkar.-------- COACH: P.K.Banerjee.

MOHUN BAGAN : Sibaji Banerjee, Compton Dutta (C), Subrata Bhattacharjee, Pradip Chowdhury, Shyamal Banerjee, Gautam Sakar, Prasun Banerjee, Manas Bhattacharjee, Mihir Bose, Xavier Payas, Bidesh Bose.

RESERVE BENCH: Jagadish Ghosh, Pratap Ghosh, Francis D' Souza, Shyam Thapa, Ranjit Mukherjee, Kesto Mitra, Munish Manna, Sanjib Chowdhury, Ashok Chakrabarty------- COACH: ARUN GHOSH

In the year 2019, 948 football lovers donated their valuable blood. Out of 948 doners, 480 people are from Kolkata. 45 people from Burdwan, 44 people from Chittaranjan, 36 people from Siliguri, 68 people from Taki, 20 people from Kulti, 34 people from Purulia, 189 people from Ghatal, 32 people from Midnapur other district organisation under IFA.

THE DETAILS OF BLOOD DONATION CAMP GIVEN BELOW

Year Donors Signatories
1981 1203 Sri Sailen Manna
1982 976 Sri Umapati Kumar
1983 973 Sri Tejesh Ch. (Bagha) Shome
1984 855 Sri Chuni Goswami
1985 1489 Sri Sahoo Mewalal
1986 1455 Sri Tulsidas Balaram
1987 1577 Sri Pradip Kumar Banerjee
1988 1438 Sri Subhas Bhowmick
1989 1140 Sri Samar (Badru) Banerjee
1990 1054 Sri ShyamThapa
1991 1147 Sri Ahmed Khan
1992 1281 Syed Naimuddin
1993 1130 Sri Byomkesh Bose
1994 1104 Sri Sukumar Samajpati
1995 729 Sri Arun Ghosh
1996 1223 Md. Habib
1997 1114 Md. M.A. Sattar
1998 929 Sri Prodyut Barman
1999 1144 Sri AmalDutta
2000 1183 Sri Sanat Seth
2001 1115 Sri Nikhil Nandy
2002 1106 Sri Santo Mitra
2003 951 Sri Surajit Sengupta
2004 1162 Sri Subrata Bhattacharyya
2005 1077 Sri Baichung Bhutia
2006 837 Sri Goutam Sarkar
2007 887 Mr. Peter Thangaraj
2008 832 Sri Parimal Dey
2009 685 Sri Prasun Banerjee
2010 1240 Sri Atanu Bhattachariya
2011 1326 Sri Sudhir Karmakar
2012 1045 Sri Bhaskar Gunguly
2013 1208 Sri Mrityunjoy Banerjee
2014 1281 Sri Manas Kumar Bhattacharyya
2015 1141 Sri Sibaji Banerjee
2016 1053 Sri Pradip Chowdhury
2017 983 Sri Aloke Mukherjee
2018 1043 Manoranjan Bhattacharyya.
2019 948 Jamshed Nishiri.

I-LEAGUE AND 2ND DIVISION QUALIFIER TO BE HELD AT KOLKATA

14.8.20: The forth coming edition of I League 2020-21 and the qualifiers of 2nd Division I League will be played at Kolkata. This was officially announced by AIFF after a video conference of League Committee.The meeting was chaired by Subrata Dutta, Senior Vice President, All India Football Federation and Chairman, League Committee. Besides, AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das and League CEO Mr. Sunando Dhar, Mr. Souter Vaz, Mr. Anil Kumar, Mr. BK Roka and Mr. Chirag Tanna attended the meeting.
Earlier, Minister of Sports, Government of West Bengal grants the requisite permissions to organise the Hero 2nd division qualifiers, and subsequently the Hero I-League 2020-21 including arranging for practice sessions for the participating clubs, the Committee unanimously decided to grant hosting rights of the Hero 2nd division qualifiers, and the Hero I-League to IFA, Kolkata.

While interacting in the meeting Subrata Dutta said,“We must ensure that we adhere to the standards to live up to the expectations of the football lovers in the country. The Leagues need to be organised in a manner which will set an example for others to follow. We need to leave no stone unturned and have a number of workshops to educate all stakeholders as we are currently working against all odds. We need to adhere to all the safety protocols to ensure that not a single player or official gets infected,”

Mr Dutta added that the Leagues would be held in one venue. It is likely that the matches will be played at Kolkata, Barasat and Kalyani. In his massage reagarding the venew AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das said, “Organising the league in one single venue under current circumstances is not easy. We need to think rationally. I reiterate that we should, and will do what is best to ensure the safety of the players.”

The qualifiers of 2nd division I league will act as dress rehearsal for the Hero I-League. The schedule and date for the Hero 2nd division qualifiers and the Hero I-League, however, would be finalised once the guidelines from the Central Government are issued.

GOKULAM KERALA FC CONCLUDED BABY LEAGUE

12.8.20: Pantheerankavu Football Training Centre emerged winners in the Under-10 and under-12 categories while Crescent Football Academy won the under-8 title in the Gokulam Baby Football League held at Ginga Turf in Karaparambu here.
PIC: GKFC PRESS RELEASE

The tournament was conducted as part of All India Football Federation initiative and had received tremendous response from various academies in Kozhikode. The group stage of the tournament was completed but due to Covid19 situation, the knockout stage was not held. The league leaders in each category were declared as winners.

OMFC Academy Malappuram, Orange Football Academy, and Rajiv Youth Brigade emerged runners-up in the U12, U10 and U8 categories respectively. Close to 200 players participated in the tournament.

Following players were adjudged best players in each categories

Under12 - Nihal (Friendly Football Academy)
Under10 - Sharon (Orange Football Academy)
Under8 - Athishav PK of COSC Sports Academy
Best goalkeeper - Sahil Muhammed Rahoof of Orange Academy

SUDEVA FC SREENEDHI FC GRANTED I LEAGUE PLAYING RIGHTS

12.8.20: Sudeva FC of Delhi and Sreenidhi FC of Visakhapatnam granted playing rights in Hero I-League from 2020-21 and 2021-22 respectively. The members of the bid committee of the All India Football Federation and representatives of Pricewaterhouse Coopers today finalise in a video conference these two clubs and grant their patricipation in I League.
PIC: AIFF PRESS RELEASE The conference were attended by Mr. Subrata Dutta, the Chairman of the League Committee, AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das, League CEO Mr. Sunando Dhar, Mr. Tetea Hmar (Executive Committee member), and Mr. ZA Thakur (Treasurer, AIFF) attended the meet as did Mr. Chirag Tanna.
The bid committee members finalised these two clubs after scrutinising the clarifications sought for from the submitted documents by Sudeva FC (Delhi), Sreenidhi FC(Visakhapatnam), and Ryntih (Shillong).

The Chairman of the League Committee, Mr Subrata Dutta in his massage welcome these two teams as he said, "I on the behalf of AIFF, welcome Sudeva to the Hero I-League family. I wish them all the best and look forward to a competitive league.I would also like to congratulate and welcome Sreenidhi from the 2021-22 edition of the Hero I-League. With Sudeva FC joining the fray, we now have 12 teams competing in the next Hero I-League."

INDIA'S WORLD CUP & ASIA CUP QUALIFYING MATCHES POSTPONED

12.8.20: The three important internatinal matches of India in the qualifiers of Asian Cup and Qatar World Cup 2022 qualifiers were postponed by AFC and FIFA following Covit 19 Pandemic. The matches are likely to be played on 2021.


In a Press statement AFC stated."In light of the current COVID-19 situation in many countries, FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have jointly decided that the upcoming qualifying matches for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, originally scheduled to take place during the international match windows in October and November 2020, will be rescheduled to 2021.

With the aim of protecting the health and safety of all participants, FIFA and the AFC will continue to work together to closely monitor the situation in the region and to identify new dates for the respective qualifying matches. Further details on the new dates for the next round of qualifying matches for the FIFA World Cup 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup 2023 will be announced in due course." India is schuduled play at home against Qatar at home on October, two World cup qualifying matches Afganistan at home and an away match against Bangladesh on November.

EAST BENGAL TO OBSERVE "SPORTS DAY" on 13th august 2020

10.08.2020 : Kolkata Giant East Bengal Club will obserbe their "Sports Day" on 13th August in memory of their Ex- General Secretary Deepak Das ( Poltu). A Blood Donation Camp will held regarding the occasion at Netaji Indoor Stadium from 10.30 AM sharp on the day. East Bengal joint hands with Sneha Foundation to take care of orphan boys and girls.
East Bengal Club will help the IFA CFL 5th Division playing all clubs to provide Football to inspire the young footballers as well as Club will finalcialy help to Chittaranjan Hospital of Kolkata as a social responsibility. On the Occation Chief Guest will be "Arup Biswas - Hon'ble Sports Minister of West Bengal", Special Guest will be IFA Secretary Joydip Mukherjee and Veteran Sports Personality Sanbaran Banerjee along with East Bengal Club President Pranab Dasgupta, Secretary Kalyan Majundar,

Churchill Brothers Sports Club has arranged the sponsorship for Goa Professional League (GPL)

8.8.20 - GOA F.A PRESS RELEASE : The AIFF has asked the GFA to conduct an investigation on the red lagged matches of Goa Professional League involving seven teams concerning six league matches held from 16th October to 19 November 2019. Mr.Churchill Alemao, GFA President stated that the AFC Report itself states that there “was suspicious betting patterns indicative of match-manipulation.”
PIC- pixabay Mr. Alemao pointed out that the AFC Report in all six matches highlighted that “there was a highly suspicious live betting, there being substantial betting evidence that the outcome of the matches were unduly influenced with a view to gaining corrupt betting profits. In some matches it was a failed manipulation attempt,” the report added.

The preliminary conclusion of the AFC Report states: “There is clear and overwhelming betting evidence that the course or result of the matches were unduly influenced with a view to gaining corrupt betting profits.” Consequently, Mr. Alemao stressed that an investigation will be undertaken in this case of “suspicious match fixing” based on “suspicious betting patterns”. As such, the need to give an authentic picture that there is suspicion. The 5-Member investigative panel is likely to be headed by a Retired Judge and will comprise lawyers and others.

Sports Radar is a London based company that tracks all bets placed on sports events around the world, using a monitoring software. There are instances where bets are placed on events in a match like yellow cards, red cards, goals scored, goals conceded, match result. In many countries abroad this is completely legal. In India , betting is illegal. The Sports Radar concludes that due to this suspicious betting pattern, it indicates fixing. A report is then sent to AFC/AIFF showing red flags. It is only after the findings of the inquiry it is established whether the match was fixed or not.

In the case of GPL, the AFC suggested that there is evidence of suspicious betting pattern which indicates fixing, there being no proof as yet to establish that match fixing actually took place. SPONSORSHIP FOR GOA PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE

Meanwhile, Churchill Brothers Sports Club has arranged the sponsorship for Goa Professional League (GPL) through Accord Sports Inc for three years – Rs. 25 Lakhs for 2020-21, Rs.30 Lakhs for 2021-22 and Rs. 40 Lakhs for 2021-22 with TV, Satellite, Cable, digital coverage, billboards, merchandising, fanzones, screening, branding, etc. The Sponsorship has been arranged by Mr. Churchill Alemao, President of Churchill Brothers Sports Club and Churchill Brothers Sports Club, CEO , Ms. Valanka Alemao with the help of Kolkata’s Ms . Deepa Das Munshi, wife of former late AIFF President Mr. P . Das Munshi.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RETURNS AFTER 149 DAYS..

7.8.20: The UEFA Champions League 2019-20 is backafter 149 days for Corona virus Lock down. The 2019/20 season will return with the remaining fixtures of the round of 16 beginning on August 7. UEFA Champions league second round schedule:

08.08.2020 (2nd Leg) : Juventus (V/S) Lyon : (12:30 am IST) The first leg Lyon won by 1-0)
NOTE : Juventus lost in first leg to Rudy Garcia's Lyon through a first-half score of Lucas Tousart. Previous head-to-head: Juventus 1-1 Lyon, Lyon 0-1 Juventus, Juventus 2-1 Lyon, Lyon 0-1 Juventus. Juventus have been crowned Serie A champions for the ninth year in a row finishing just one point ahead of Inter Milan but On the final match day, manager Maurizio Sarri’s side lost 1-3 to AS Roma,

08.08.2020 (2nd Leg) : Manchester City (V/S) Real Madrid (12:30 am IST - Man City won 2-1 in First Leg)
Note : Pep Guardiola's team Man city won first Leg against Zinédine Zidane's Real Madrid where Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne score the goals. Josep Guardiola's side Man City have won 13 of their last 22 European matches, home and away, losing six. Between 2008 and 2012, Guardiola amassed 14 trophies as Barcelona coach, including the UEFA Champions League in 2009 and 2011 – beating Madrid in the semi-finals in the latter campaign. Guardiola's Bayern München side lost 0-5 on aggregate to Madrid (0-1 a, 0-4 h) in the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League semi-finals.



09.08.2020 (2nd Leg) : Bayern Munich (V/S) Chelsea ( 12:30 am IST - Bayern Munich won the first leg 3-0)

09.08.2020 (2nd Leg) : Barcelona (V/S) S.S Napoli (12:30 am IST - The first leg ended 1-1)

Teams that have already qualified for the quarter-finals: Paris Saint-Germain / Atletico Madrid / RB Leipzig / Atalanta

Quarter-final

12.08.2020 : 1st Quarter final : Atalanta vs Paris Saint-Germain
13.08.2020 : 2nd Quarter final : RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid
14.08.2020 : 3rd Quarter final : Possible : Napoli / Barcelona / Chelsea / Bayern Munchen
15.08.2020 : 4th Quarter final : Real Madrid / Manchester City / Lyon / Juventus

Semi-final

18.08.2020 : Semi-final-1
19.08.2020 : Semi-final-2

13.08.2020 : FINAL

Recent winners: 2019: Liverpool
2018: Real Madrid
2017: Real Madrid
2016: Real Madrid
2015: Barcelona
2014: Real Madrid
2013: Bayern Munich
2012: Chelsea
2011: Barcelona
2010: Inter Milan
2009: Barcelona

KALYANI LIKELY TO HOST 2ND DIVISION I LEAGUE

4.8.20: Kalyani, likely to host the Second Division I League which expected to start from the middle of September. In a meeting between the Sports Minister of West Bengal Arup Biswas, IFA Secretary Joydeep Mukherjee and the two participating clubs Md Sporting and Bhawanipur FC it was agreed to host the tournament in Kolkata. Now, the decision will be finalised by AIFF.

The two teams Md Sporting and Bhawnipur are yet to start their practice session as it was decided by the Goverment that there will be no Sporting events as well as the practice session til 31st of August.

GOA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION LETTER TO AIFF

03.08.20: GFA PRESS RELEASE : Goa Football association Letter to AIFF

EAST BENGAL 100TH BIRTH DAY - SOME EX PLAYERS REPARCATION

01.08.20: East Bengal Club celebrates 100 years today. On this auspicious occasion we have a talk with some footballers, who have played for East Bengal, about their feelings regarding playing for the club.

In conversation with East Bengal ex Brazilian Footballer DOUGLAS SILVA ( 2002-2005) he says - “I would like to say congratulations and many many more years to come. I am a blessed person that I have played for this big club with one of the best fans all over the world and part of the 23 clubs that I played in my entire life as a footballer. East Bengal Club will be forever in my heart, and always. I thank fans for the love that I got from them since 2002, it's almost the same or more.”

DIPENDU BISWAS ( 2007-2008) – “East Bengal is a historical club. This club has millions of supporters around the world. I have played there wearing Jersey Number 10 and scored so many Goals and won Trophy. I like to see East Bengal to play in Indian Super League. I don’t know about this year whether East Bengal will play ISL or not, but I wish to see East Bengal in ISL . I have so many memories with East Bengal, from scoring in derby to winning NFL, Federation Cup and CFL. Three big clubs Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammedan Sporting complement each other. I feel proud that I played all three clubs with jersey no. 10.“

HABIBUR RAHAMAN MONDOL ( 2004-2006) who pakyed East Bengal from 2004-2006 and won so many trophies as well as weared National Team Jersey for so many times tells us regarding this day – “It is a historical day in Indian Football. East Bengal is one of popular team not only in India but also from Asia. My heartiest wishes to all the officials and supporters on this special day. I am proud to be part of this club in my career.” I expect more success of this Gianbt club in Future and also salute the avid fans of the Red and Gold Bridgade.

Ex East Bengal player and versatile footballer RAHIM NABI ( 2004-2011) said that - “I have spent the majority of my playing career in East Bengal. East Bengal is one of the top clubs in India. This club is always very close to myself. Now the club is celebrating 100 years, it’s really a proud moment to us. “.Talking about the future of East Bengal, Nabi said –“East Bengal must participate in Indian Super League. ISL is top league now. With this huge amount of broadcast in ISL, more people can know about East Bengal.

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PRASANTA CHAKRABORTY (1996-97) – “East Bengal is not only a name, it’s an emotion. Wearing this jersey, you have got back a dream which you have lost. Whenever I wear this jersey, it gives me the urge to do something more and more. I feel really proud that I have represented this club and those times are the glorious moments of my career.” I am so delighted in the 100th years of the club and remenber all off my happy moments in this club till my death. East Bengal fans are the power of the Club. I salute them from my heart and also pray for more and more success in coming years.

SANGRAM MUKHERJEE (1999-2004) Ex-skipper of East Bengal, Goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee tells us that– “It is a special day to me as I started my professional career from East Bengal Club. I congratulate East Bengal for completing 100 years. I wish East Bengal will continue their successful journey with these amount of spectators to 1000 years. ”

Goalkeeper and Ex-Skipper of East Bengal, SUMIT MUKHERJEE tells us on this day that -“I have been captain of a club which has now 100 years of glory. It’s not only a club, but it is an identity of the people of Bengal. I am proud to be a part of this club. This is not only known in India, but all over the world. I wish East Bengal to reach much more success and glory in coming years.”

Ex- East Bengal player and currenty AFC 'B' license coach TRIJIT DAS ( 2000-2002) said" I am so glad and delighted to be a part of this World famous football team. I fulfiled my dream play in East Bengal in the year 2000 to 2002. One of the top rated clubs of Asia East Bengal has completed it's 100 glorious years. Hope East Bengal will shine more and more in upcoming yrars. I also admired the fans of East Bengal since last 100 years. Congratulations East Bengal --- Go ahead.

Ex- East Bengal player RANJAN DEY tells us that - “People know us because we played for clubs like East Bengal, Mohun Bagan. In my childhood, even in my dreams, I don’t believe that I will ever play for East Bengal. Respect of all the fans towards East Bengal and effort of all the officials throughout this journey, make this club one of the most popular clubs in India. It is an honour to me to play for East Bengal and with this I even represent my country. ”

ND RAFIQUE (2014-2018 / NEXT SEASON) tells us regarding this special day that – “East Bengal is in my emotion. I have played for East Bengal for early and also signed now. As a player, I feel proud to be part of this team which celebrates 100 years now. It’s tough to express how I am feeling now. I have never seen these passionate supporters in other teams where I played. I wish East Bengal will continue their glorious journey in long long years”