Sponsors to dress ISL for season 7

The Indian Super League (ISL) which was cruising from its start ,six years ago, to be the top football league of India  has achieved its goal but just when it had done so, has been choked by a virus called COVID-19. The pandemic has left it , like all other sports , battling for breath .

“ISL is expected to come out with a statement in a few days . The dressing will be different but the feel of the past will be attempted to be maintained. Change is bound to be there because the sponsors have been affected most and it will trickle down to the teams,” a senior offical associated with ISL informed.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) had through the video conferenced Executive Committee meeting decided to ask  both ISL and I-League teams to adhere to Asian Football Conference (AFC) stipulations permitting three foreign and one player from Asia in a team .Previously , ISL and I-League teams could field five foreign players in a match.

The I -League teams agreed and AIFF press release added: “FSDL will work with AIFF and will present a plan to the Executive Committee on the way forward for foreign players in the next couple of months.”

“Given the current situation all over the world there are two things one has to keep in mind: One is whether the foreign player you sign will be able to fly to be with the team and two ; whether teams will be able to convince sponsors to spend , as they were doing before, on foreign players,” a source linked with sponsorsorship disclosed.

“ It is too early to dwell on the probability of players being able to join their teams by  October  and it is clear that all sponsors have been financially hit badly. From all available indications the Table Tennis , Badminton and Kabaddi leagues have been moved to 2021,” added the source.

“ISL teams are discussing terms and conditions with foreign players and officals. They might have signed some sort of agreemement or come to some sort of understanding with them. I think no club will risk signing foreign players when the situation is fluid. Maybe , the ISL decides to allow teams to field only one foreign player or play with all local players in this edition ,” chuckled the ISL source.

“ We have not received any guidelines from ISL. As you know the financial situation is messy and we have not even met our sponsors or thought of looking for sponsors as India is still in the grip of the virus. There are a lot of statements flying through social media about the fate of players and therefore  clubs. Despite being unsure of what to expect , I am not ready to panic . Time will tell,” an individual having a big stake in a club disclosed, whilst requesting anonymity.

The ISL has maintained the spending budget of Rs 16.5 crores for a team this season but many officials linked with teams are wondering whether they will be able to convince sponsors to shell out  money like they have done in the past.

Companies all over the world , not just in India , are cutting costs . “ The sponsors are going to determine the path ISL is going to tread on this season. They are going to hold the key ,” concluded a source.

 

     

 

Glan Martins set to add more colour to ATK lines in coming ISL season

“If you want to live your dream ,you have to always work hard . One can hardly afford to take a break because every one strives to be the best . There are no full stops in pursuit of the best ,” believes Glan Martins  who will be donning the colours of ATK when the new football season begins.

Glan had to wait for his contract with Sporting Clube de Goa to get over to make his first move to the I-league. “ I knew that I would be spottedby a team in Indian Super league (ISL) had I joined an I-league team. I joined Churchill Brothers and am now in ISL. I don’t want to look back now,” asserts Glan .

Glan showed promise at a young age and was once amongst the few Indian football youngsters to give a trial to a  club in USA when he was 18. Greek Tassos Silous was the first to see his capabilities and Glan has kept on improving since.

“ We wanted to sign him in the Januray transfer window. He could not join us then but we are happy to have him with us now. He has a lot of talent and fits into our coaches style of play , “ a member of ATK technical team told goalfest on condition of anonymity.

“ Actually , when I was informed that ATK were keen on signing me, during the January tranfer window , I was elated. However, at that time , I could not desert Churchill Brothers because ,at that time , we were in contention for the I-Legue title and I did not feel it was right to abandon ship. The Churchill family was good to me right from the beginning,” admits Glan.

Glan has reached this far because he uses his head when in possesion of the ball. A good reader of the game and a player capable of grasping his colleagues minds, Glan occupies a lot of space on the field be it in front or back in the defense. Controlling the pace of the game is one of his forte.

“I still have a lot of things to learn.There will be new hurdles on my way ahead and I am ready for them. I wanted to be in the starting XI of the team and I know I need to work a lot for that place because I am atlast playing amongst the best in the country,” says Glan who, at 25, has a lot in store in him.

“When one is at the top, competition always increases. I will need to be more aggressive now , work even harder and keep learning from the mistakes I made in the past. I have to improve all aspects of my game on the field and even my life off the field,” says the unassuming lad from Velsao in South Goa.

“Playing for a team in ISL was definitely one of my goals. It is not the end because my aim and the ultimate aim of any player is to be the best on the field.To be the best is my ultimate . ATK is the best team in the ISL and I am happy to be with the best team of India. The team will make my journey much easier,” predicts Glan.

“ I come from a simple family and it is this family that has stood by me right from the time I started my walk with football. My mother and father (seen in Picture) were the two who always believed in me and  as I take these steps forward in Indian football , they are still behind me. This journey and the ones ahead will be for them and all my fans,” retorted Glan as he gets back to the ATK training manual sent to the teams players.

ATK has had players from Goa in the past. Cavin Lobo was one who will be remebered for his goal against FC Goa. Glan is capable of adding more colour to those lines.

 

 

IOA President Batra sounds bugle for sports

The fate of the 36^th National Games to be hosted by Goa from October 20, 2020 to November 4, 2020 could be clearer by May 20 when the Indian Olympic Association (IOA)is expected to present a Draft White Paper prepared based on responses collated by identified National Sports Federations (NSF’s) and  State Olympic Associations (SOA’s) according to a letter sent by IOA President Narinder Dhruv Batra on May 5.

A twenty nine page document has been sent by the IOA President to all the stake holders of sports in India, seeking their support and feedback to restart sports activities and “preparations for the Olympic Games, other international competitions to be held later in a protected atmosphere confirming to the Government of India (GOI) guidelines under COVID-19scenario.”

In the letter to NSF’s and SOA’s, acessed by Goalfest, the IOA president elicits the views of identified NSF’s and SOA’s in the country to draft a White Paper for:

1: Athletes who have qualified or are likely to qualify for Olympic Games.

2:Other international and national level athletes

3: Activities of State level athletes.

“A final more comprehensive version of the White Paper will be readied for release in June 2020 and it will include response collated by other NSF’s and SOA’s, whose deadline for submission is May 31, 2020,” states the letter addressed by IOA President Batra.

The letter sent by the IOA president starts by outlining the scenario of sports in India. “There is complete uncertainty when the situation will become conducive to travel, train and for competition to be organised, “states Batra in his letter.

Batra goes on to ask “which are the safest sports to start early? How and when should team sports resume in the country? ; How and when should water sports resume in the country? ; and how and when should contact sports resume in the country?”

The study initiated by IOA President Batra asks the concerned officals to elicit on “how social should be maintained in sports like athletics.” “Since players have to touch tennis balls , shuttle cocks , table tennis balls and all other ball sports , how safe would it be to resume these sports and when  ?” asks Batra.

The IOA letter has classified sports in four disciplines- Individual sport, Team sport, Contact sport and Water sport. Archery,athletics,cycling,equestrian,fencing,golf,shooting,squash,table tennis, tennis and weightlifting have been grouped as Individual sport.

Basketball, football, handball, hockey, kabaddi , kho-kho, volleyball etc have been classified as Team sport. Boxing, judo, karate, Taekwondo, wrestling ,Wushu etc have been classified as Contact sport and canoeing ,rowing, sailing and swimming have been classified as Water sport.

The stake holders that are earmarked for consultation whilst preparing the White paper are : Athletes, Coaches, Medical staff and recovery experts; High –Performance support personnel; Match officials; Central government ,including public health professionals, MYAS,SAI and State Sports Associations; sponsors including NGO’s; Media; Fans ; and sports administrators.

 

Life does not cost much ,lifestyle does: Chetan Desai

“ Life does not cost you much , lifestyle does . Sports  was beginning to be part of  Indian lifestyle untill the Corona virus started dictating terms. This is not the beginning of the end of cricket in India but definitely a wake up call to many who have been blinded by the glamour of the game,” believes Chetan Desai as he sees the glass being cured at the empty grounds of the Goa Cricket Association Accademy ground in Porvorim.

Cricket in Goa and Chetan Desai from Goa  are difficult to separate . Both have been together through thick and thin . COVID-19 has left the world in disarray with economies crashing and sports being at the receiving end with social distancing being the new norm in place.

“Sports is the last priority of  the government. Certainly there are more important things but the first signs of  change of attention to sports will be visible  when gyms are open to the public ,” thinks Chetan who is considered to be the blue eyed boy of  former Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) president Jagmohan Dalmiya .

COVID-19 has struck sports hard . football in India seems set for a sabbatical this season . Cricket may prop up . But , nothing is sure because despite the pulls of needing to keep the ecosystem going  more attention is focussed on development of the ethos of good living.

“ Previous to this , performance was the maxim on which players were selected. Wit players unable to perform , selection will narrow down to the fitness of players. This, in itself ,  is a quantum shift. We will not be able to wait for players to get a chance to perform as that will need time. Some times , money cannot wait ,” broods Chetan .

“Cricket what we saw before the pandemic will not continue after the pandemic. The game will go on but there will be twicthes in the beginning which will be touched on once the game gets going again and through the years the ball will start rolling normally again ,” thinks Chetan.

Will new talent get lost or clouded or just not get an opportunity to sparkle ?

“The game of cricket cannot and will not be forgotten . Right now though , cricket is not a priority . Saving lives is ; helping people to live is . Maybe some talent is lost but the same lost talent may have got an opportunity to live. The game will not die,” believes Chetan.

Goa  got re-promoted to the Elite League of the Ranji Trophy  and Chetan believes the halt in play will not have a lasting impact on the game in Goa. “The present managing committee has been strenghtening systems and things will continue. The priority right now is to see that everyone is safe,”  says Chetan.

“Pitches will be maintained. Work will go on keeping social distancing as the main paramteter. Whatever needs to be tended in Goa  will be,”assures Chetan .

Football is not just sports but a livelihood: Ranjit Bajaj

Ranjit Bajaj stood up for football in India ,literally alone, when the chips were down and now that the world is pooling together to fight COVID-19 and sports is literally on the back burner he is worried because  “football is not just sports but a livelihood.”

“ Sports is a very important part of the ecosystem and I think football in India will be going through tough times. This virus is capable of not just destroying careers but clubs in India. Change will need to come from within one self first if we want to stop careers and clubs from being destroyed,” Ranjit who sold Punjab FC just before the pandemic broke out  told Goalfest.com.

When Ranjit was chief of Punjab FC , he was also the outspoken spokesman against the ills going on in All India Football Federation (AIFF). Unlike many , he knew when to call a spade a spade and many times got a bollocking for it. Yet ,it did not deter him.

Football in India is at a crossroad with there being doubts that the Indian Super league(ISL) will be held this season and the fate of the I-League even worse. “Sports will be the last thing anyone will want to start. Looking back , I think my selling the reminaing stake of Punjab FC was the best decision ever taken ,” reflects Ranjit as he outlines his plans for Minerva Punjab Academy .

“The AIFF has kept shifting dates of when India will qualify for the World Cup . I am different and have set 2034 as the deadline when my Academy will start churning World Cup players.Through these years we will qulaify and be part of the mainstream of Indian football but the focus now is primarily on the six year olds,” believes Ranjit who has been the most succesful hand in football grass roots development over the last many years- having won all the AIFF Youth titles in store.

“We will be starting the Academy when the situation permits in the country and consider ourselves lucky in deciding to dedicate primarily on youngsters because it is well documented that COVID-19 has limited success with children of this age group. We have the set up in place and boys have already been selected from all over the country,” disclosed Ranjit as his voice dips in releif over his way forward with football in India.

“I will still be the biggest vocal critic of AIFF. My voice will be louder now because now they have no control over me. They used to threaten me with sanctions and fines before and yet they could not muzzle me. They are not going to suceed now,” says Ranjit who is convinced  that football in India will be in peril as long as there is no change at the top.

“AIFF needs a person at the top who can dedicate himself for the game; a man who is president not to use the title on a visiting card but because he is there because he loves the game; he wants to see a change for good in the game. Not a person who takes four months to give an audience to clubs owners who run the game with their passion,” avers Ranjit.

“Football will always remain a contact sport and people as well as players will not be able to risk their lives as long as no medical solution is found for this pandemic. It is going to take somewehere between six months to a year or even a bit more for football to start rolling effortlessly in Inda . We will have to be patient till then,” avers Ranjit.

“Stay Safe ,” he concludes.

FC Goa new coach Juan Ferrando will need to iron out memories of Sergio, with creditable signings

FC Goa announced Juan Ferrando as the new coach to take over Sergio Lobera and the new Spanish boss will need to start by getting to together a team capable of riding on the pride created by other Indian teams in the Asian Football Council (AFC) Champions League.

FC Goa finished on top of the Indian Super League (ISL) after the unexplained exit of Sergio and Juan’s first task will be to assemble a team together with only two foreign players having been retained – Hugo Boumous and Edu Bedia.

With the world battling an epidemic and there being no certainty on when the Indian Super League (ISL) or any sport is primed to start, Juan has time on his shoulders. Apart from signing foreign players, FC Goa will need to find good Indian players as the AFC Champions League permits only four foreign players.

Brandon Fernandes and Lenny Rodrigues are two good players FC Goa has, having lost Jackichand who was one of their best Indian signings last season. Jacki was a constant menacing threat on the flanks.

Ferrando , according to an FC Goa release, began working as a football coach at the age of 18.

 “I am so incredibly excited to become part of the FC Goa family. I have been greatly impressed by the Club's emphasis on their vision and style of play and I would like to thank the club for giving me this opportunity.

“I have heard a lot about Goa's passion for football. Together, with support from all the fans, we hope to play good football, and do our best to bring success to the club,” are quotes attributed to the coach by the club.

The 39-year-old began his career with the academy at RCD Espanyol before moving to Barcelona B for his Practicum. He then coached the likes of FC RICOH Premià, Terrassa CF and CE Hospitalet before moving to Malaga, to become the coach of the youth team.

Taking charge of FC Sheriff in Moldova in 2013, he led the team to a win in the Super Cup. Under his tutelage, the club reached the third round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. In the Europa League the same season, they eventually finished 2 points shy of qualifying to the knockout stage from a group that contained Tottenham and Anzhi Makhachkala.

He then went on to take charge of Spanish sides CyD Leonesa and Linares before moving to Greece in 2017 to take charge of the newly formed Volos FC in the Third Division. There, under his command, the club gained two promotions in as many seasons and has ever since been playing in the Greek Super League.

A UEFA Pro License holder, Ferrando was awarded the award for ‘Best Coach’ in 2017/18 by the Greek Football Association for his work at Volos, concludes the FC Goa release.

FC Goa has not been able to retain their star striker Ferran Corominas (Coro) who lit up the ISL with his impressive statistics in his three years with the club and have not managed to hold on to Mourtada Fall and Carlos Pena- the two pillars of their defense- with the latter  hanging up his boots.

Ahmed Jahouh , according to reliable sources , was looking for a two year contract or an increment and his inability to convince his team has left him looking for fresher pastures. Though he scored one goal in his time with FC Goa, he was the mainstay of the team last season when it made its second final appearance – the first under the new management.

Establishing a predictable strike force and a reliable defense will be the main priorities of the new coach Juan whose other focus will be to fit in the shoes left by Sergio who had developed a good rapport with the fans through his style of play and most importantly results.

Goa has the best antidote in 36th National Games for COVID-19

Sports will be one of the best antidote to get life on the mainstream once the pandemic is roped in under control and Goa will be one of the few States to captialise through the 36^th National Games  whose hosting dates – presently earmarked for October 20 to November 4 , 2020- still being discussed .

There is still unertainity of whether the National Games will be held on schedule ; whether  they will be postponed ; or whether they will be cancelled. Whatever the outcome , The Local Organising Committee (LOC) led by CEO Ashok Kumar , has kept the organistaional wings rolling despite the pandemic hiccups.

“Despite the grim situation , I would like to assure that the Government of Goa and the Organising Committee is working alongside to attend to all the National Games related matters with the commitmment it deserves,” Ashok Kumar wrote to Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Secretary General Rajeev Mehta on April 27,2020.

“The hosting of the National Games had come up for discussions with authorities and it has been internally decided to proceed with all required arrangements till 31/05/2020, post which , after assesing the COVID-19 situation , at that point in time, and in consultation with IOA , a suitable decision could be arrived on the conduct of the Games , for which the assured participation by qualified teamswill be the single most important factor,” concludes the letter.

The National Games was first to be hosted in 2008 and has been posponed since on a number of occasions with the State being responsible in the past and the IOA having a hand in the delay recently. The frequesnt delays has not gone well in the eyes of the public and the LOC does not want to be caught in a web of postponement again.

 “With there being no clarity on whether the National Games are to be held or not we are proceeding with the process  of getting prepared . COVID -19 had left the country in a uncertainity. We have not been intimated by IOA whether the National Games are to be postponed or not. We are not ready to take any chances in these cu=ircumstances,” Ashok Kumar , CEO told this writer over the phone.

In a circular issued to the stake holders of the36th  National  Games the CEO had stated: “ The Governemnt also observes that in a number of states with the measures implemented at present , the situation is being controlled if not entirely overcome. Considering the scenario , at this juncture it may be impulsive to think on a postponement , as the duration of this fight against the virus is unknown or unpredictable.”

“The Government is holding discussions with the concerned stake holders and is considering all possible developments and a positive resolution would evolve in around five weeks from today ,” stated the letter signed by Kumar on April 23,2020.

“The idea is not to be caught on the wrong foot if the IOA decides that the 36^th National Games should be held on schedule or on a new date assigned to us. The idea is to be ready . The Government has been accused of not being prepared before . We do not want to be caught on the wrong foot,” said Ashok Kumar .

“Given the dilemma, the Functional Aea Head as active stake holders are also required to cooperate and as practical as possible invite RFPs/EOIs that have been approved , which is entirely independent to the dates of the hosting,so that there is no further delay in procurement of goods and services. Further, other planning and processes may also continue and the RFPs/EOIsyet to be drafted may be proceeded with,”

 “ If things improve , which all of us hope and are working hard for and the IOA decides that the Games should be held on the stipulated days , we do not want to be caught of guard. The circular clearly asks all involved  not to drop their guard unless we are officially instructed,” concluded Ashok Kumar.