Meghalaya To Host First Baby Football League In May
In an attempt to motivate kids to take up the game of football at a younger age, Shillong would now host the first ever Meghalaya Baby League 2018 in the month of May.
The Baby League is the joint initiative of one of India’s oldest philanthropic organisations – Tata Trusts, the Meghalaya Football Association and the All India Football Federation (AIFF)
Speaking to media persons here on Saturday, MFA Treasurer Wanshanbor Kharkrang said that it was more or less a pilot project and if the project was successful in Meghalaya, it would be implemented throughout the country.
The project aims to give children from the age of 4 till 13 an exposure to competitive football over a period of six months
Kharkrang said that usually, kids here were taught basic game of football at the age of 13-14 years when they should have been taught about the skills of the game.
The format will be a league-cum-knockout arrangement, with five-a-side and seven-a-side matches, depending on the age group.
The 4-5 years and 5-6 years age groups will be five-a-side with a minimum of 10 players in each team. The 8-9 years, 10-11 years and 12-13 years age groups will be seven-a-side and will have to have a minimum of 12 players per team.
Kharkrang said that the league would be held on weekends and other holidays, with the possibility of Fridays as well so long as this does not affect the children’s school schedule.
According Participation is open to football clubs, schools, communities, localities, organisations and individuals who wish to register their own Baby League club and first twelve entries will be entertained.
He however added each participating Baby League club (also known as a centre) would have to field a team in each age group and must engage the children in regular training of at least two hours per week for at least six months.
Tata Trusts and the MFA will provide grassroots leaders certification courses for all coaches associated with the centres and playing kits for every player and balls for each centre.
Come July and budding footballers of Jharkhand can showcase their talents in the Baby League, a unique year-long event organised by the All India Football Federation in association with the state affiliate of the outfit, to develop the game at the grassroots.
The Jharkhand Football Association (JFA) has already started work on introducing the league in Ranchi, Dhanbad, Bokaro and Jamshedpur.
JFA secretary Ghulam Rabbani, speaking over phone from Giridih, said the year-long league would be played on Sundays across 6-8, 9-10 and 11-12 age groups. Teams from each age group will be playing 40 matches.
"We have decided to launch Baby League in July. The date of commencement will be announced in due course of time. The four venues earmarked for the league have adequate infrastructure to host the tournament efficiently," Rabbani added.
He said the match durations for 6-8, 9-10 and 11-12 age groups will be of 30, 45 and 60 minutes respectively.
"Baby League is an AIFF programme aimed at pepping up football at the school level. Some states like Maharashtra and the Northeast already have grassroots development programmes. We also have the structure in Jharkhand but the Baby League is a different programme to be held under AIFF's supervision and guidance," the JFA secretary explained.
The JFA will spot talents from the Baby League and work out training modules for them on a regular basis. "Much of the success of the tournament depends on schools. We will be informing schools about the AIFF initiative shortly," a JFA office bearer said.
The state football outfit is also conducting a 15-day camp for school children next month. "We are waiting for the school vacations. The camp will be conducted at Jamshedpur, Dhanbad and Bokaro and is a part of our grassroots development initiative," the JFA official added.
Tata Football Academy in Jamshedpur already has a development programme for the under-12 boys. It also runs more than 15 football feeder centres in Kolhan.
Lakshmanan, was instrumental in grooming the sport of football in a country where cricket is almost religion.
In the early hours on Monday, the nation lost of one of its greatest and most influential football administrators- PP Lakshmanan. He will be remembered as one of the pioneers of making football a professional sport in India and helping the system run in a manner that would help the sport develop in the country.
The former FIFA Appeals Committee member who was also at one point chairman of the Kannur Municipality passed away at age 83 after suffering from prolonged illnesses. He passed away at a private Hospital in Kannur.
Lakshmanan, was instrumental in grooming the sport of football in a country where cricket is almost religion. He played an integral part in forming the National League for clubs in India, which is now known as the I-League.
He was involved in the development of football within the country for nearly five decades starting in 1970s as president of the Kannur District Football Association, following which he rose to the position of the President of the Kerala Football Association.
A story by Manorama points out how Lakshmanan, an avid football player in his youth had to forfeit his dream of playing professionally due to his height, but ensured that he contributed his best to the sport he loved.
In 1977, when the first edition of the All India Football Federation Championship tournament was held in Ernakulam, Lakshmanan was at the helm of affairs.
K Bodhanandan, who was secretary of the Kerala Football Association remembered PP Lakshmanan and his contribution to the sport within the country. He said “He was a very dynamic person. I was fortunate to work as a secretary while he was president of the Kerala Football Association. When Lakshmanan took over the presidency of the association, at the time he was holding a good post in the All India Football Federation too. He got the opportunity to travel to many countries that played football. He was also associated with FIFA. With that experience and contacts in countries like Korea and Indonesia, he understood the way to conduct football in a professional manner.”
In 1980, he was named treasurer of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). During his tenure as secretary of the AIFF, Lakshmanan and team introduced the age limit of 23 years for the Santhosh Trophy. His reason being that it would help in nurturing talent required for the National team to succeed in tournaments such as the Olympics.
After losing the AIFF election in 1996, Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, who took over as president of the association, appointed Lakshmanan as senior vice-president. He was later elected AIFF executive president in 2000.
He is also the first Indian to be named in the FIFA appeals committee.
Current AIFF president Praful Patel said it was a massive loss for Indian Football whilst condoling his demise. “It is very sad to hear that Mr. Lakshmanan is no more. His contribution to Indian football can never be forgotten. He was a visionary and had laid the path for the development of Indian Football over the years. May his soul rest in peace,”
DCC president Satheeshan Pacheni also paid homage to the late Lakshmanan. “He made a mark in every field he was actively involved in, be it football, politics or socio-cultural activities,” said Pacheni in his condolence message.
Played over the weekends at Doha
Stadium and started sine the second week of March, the Champions League
2018 has not only drawn huge spectatorship but the organisers have also
succeeded in bringing about 80 footballers from India to represent
various teams taking part in the league.
Out of the 12 participating teams,
some have brought their players from different states of India mainly
from Kerala. Considering the growing popularity of the sport, the teams
have also brought players from some of the other Indian states, notably
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
We have IFN members in Doha they can provide more insight into this. @shibier
The All Whites will play a four-team tournament in India next month.
New Zealand will take on hosts India, Chinese Taipei and a yet-to-be-announced African nation from June 1 to 10 in Mumbai. India media have reported that team will be South Africa.
The tournament, dubbed the 'Intercontinental Cup', will feature a round-robin format before the two highest-placed teams meet in the final.
It will be coach Fritz Schmid's second chance to get a look at the players at his disposal for the next four years after starting his tenure with a 1-0 loss to Canada in Spain in March.
It will be a matchup of the minnows of world football, with the All Whites the lowest ranked of the three confirmed teams at 133. India are 97th and Chinese Taipei 121st. South Africa, if confirmed, would be the highest-ranked team at 72.
New Zealand Football technical director Andreas Heraf said the tournament would be a good chance to put in the foundations for the 2022 World Cup cycle.
"It was exciting to see the team return to action in March for the first time since the Intercontinental Playoff against Peru and we are looking forward to seeing what can be achieved with our new coach at the helm," he saids.
"This tournament will be invaluable for Fritz as he looks to put a team together capable of competing with the best in the world and making it all the way to Qatar."
The All Whites have played India once before, a 0-0 draw in a friendly in Kuala Lumpur in 1981.
They have played Chinese Taipei, also commonly known as Taiwan, on 12 occasions and are yet to lose, notching 10 wins and two draws.
Comments
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/kolkata-derby-asia-fiercest-footballing-rivalry-180424202807467.html
Meghalaya To Host First Baby Football League In May
In an attempt to motivate kids to take up the game of football at a younger age, Shillong would now host the first ever Meghalaya Baby League 2018 in the month of May.
The Baby League is the joint initiative of one of India’s oldest philanthropic organisations – Tata Trusts, the Meghalaya Football Association and the All India Football Federation (AIFF)
Speaking to media persons here on Saturday, MFA Treasurer Wanshanbor Kharkrang said that it was more or less a pilot project and if the project was successful in Meghalaya, it would be implemented throughout the country.
The project aims to give children from the age of 4 till 13 an exposure to competitive football over a period of six months
Kharkrang said that usually, kids here were taught basic game of football at the age of 13-14 years when they should have been taught about the skills of the game.
The format will be a league-cum-knockout arrangement, with five-a-side and seven-a-side matches, depending on the age group.
The 4-5 years and 5-6 years age groups will be five-a-side with a minimum of 10 players in each team. The 8-9 years, 10-11 years and 12-13 years age groups will be seven-a-side and will have to have a minimum of 12 players per team.
Kharkrang said that the league would be held on weekends and other holidays, with the possibility of Fridays as well so long as this does not affect the children’s school schedule.
According Participation is open to football clubs, schools, communities, localities, organisations and individuals who wish to register their own Baby League club and first twelve entries will be entertained.
He however added each participating Baby League club (also known as a centre) would have to field a team in each age group and must engage the children in regular training of at least two hours per week for at least six months.
Tata Trusts and the MFA will provide grassroots leaders certification courses for all coaches associated with the centres and playing kits for every player and balls for each centre.
Come July and budding footballers of Jharkhand can showcase their talents in the Baby League, a unique year-long event organised by the All India Football Federation in association with the state affiliate of the outfit, to develop the game at the grassroots.
The Jharkhand Football Association (JFA) has already started work on introducing the league in Ranchi, Dhanbad, Bokaro and Jamshedpur.
JFA secretary Ghulam Rabbani, speaking over phone from Giridih, said the year-long league would be played on Sundays across 6-8, 9-10 and 11-12 age groups. Teams from each age group will be playing 40 matches.
"We have decided to launch Baby League in July. The date of commencement will be announced in due course of time. The four venues earmarked for the league have adequate infrastructure to host the tournament efficiently," Rabbani added.
He said the match durations for 6-8, 9-10 and 11-12 age groups will be of 30, 45 and 60 minutes respectively.
"Baby League is an AIFF programme aimed at pepping up football at the school level. Some states like Maharashtra and the Northeast already have grassroots development programmes. We also have the structure in Jharkhand but the Baby League is a different programme to be held under AIFF's supervision and guidance," the JFA secretary explained.
The JFA will spot talents from the Baby League and work out training modules for them on a regular basis. "Much of the success of the tournament depends on schools. We will be informing schools about the AIFF initiative shortly," a JFA office bearer said.
The state football outfit is also conducting a 15-day camp for school children next month. "We are waiting for the school vacations. The camp will be conducted at Jamshedpur, Dhanbad and Bokaro and is a part of our grassroots development initiative," the JFA official added.
Tata Football Academy in Jamshedpur already has a development programme for the under-12 boys. It also runs more than 15 football feeder centres in Kolhan.
A man who nurtured football: Former AIFF secretary PP Lakshmanan passes away
In the early hours on Monday, the nation lost of one of its greatest and most influential football administrators- PP Lakshmanan. He will be remembered as one of the pioneers of making football a professional sport in India and helping the system run in a manner that would help the sport develop in the country.
The former FIFA Appeals Committee member who was also at one point chairman of the Kannur Municipality passed away at age 83 after suffering from prolonged illnesses. He passed away at a private Hospital in Kannur.
Lakshmanan, was instrumental in grooming the sport of football in a country where cricket is almost religion. He played an integral part in forming the National League for clubs in India, which is now known as the I-League.
He was involved in the development of football within the country for nearly five decades starting in 1970s as president of the Kannur District Football Association, following which he rose to the position of the President of the Kerala Football Association.
A story by Manorama points out how Lakshmanan, an avid football player in his youth had to forfeit his dream of playing professionally due to his height, but ensured that he contributed his best to the sport he loved.
In 1977, when the first edition of the All India Football Federation Championship tournament was held in Ernakulam, Lakshmanan was at the helm of affairs.
K Bodhanandan, who was secretary of the Kerala Football Association remembered PP Lakshmanan and his contribution to the sport within the country. He said “He was a very dynamic person. I was fortunate to work as a secretary while he was president of the Kerala Football Association. When Lakshmanan took over the presidency of the association, at the time he was holding a good post in the All India Football Federation too. He got the opportunity to travel to many countries that played football. He was also associated with FIFA. With that experience and contacts in countries like Korea and Indonesia, he understood the way to conduct football in a professional manner.”
In 1980, he was named treasurer of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). During his tenure as secretary of the AIFF, Lakshmanan and team introduced the age limit of 23 years for the Santhosh Trophy. His reason being that it would help in nurturing talent required for the National team to succeed in tournaments such as the Olympics.
After losing the AIFF election in 1996, Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, who took over as president of the association, appointed Lakshmanan as senior vice-president. He was later elected AIFF executive president in 2000.
He is also the first Indian to be named in the FIFA appeals committee.
Current AIFF president Praful Patel said it was a massive loss for Indian Football whilst condoling his demise. “It is very sad to hear that Mr. Lakshmanan is no more. His contribution to Indian football can never be forgotten. He was a visionary and had laid the path for the development of Indian Football over the years. May his soul rest in peace,”
DCC president Satheeshan Pacheni also paid homage to the late Lakshmanan. “He made a mark in every field he was actively involved in, be it football, politics or socio-cultural activities,” said Pacheni in his condolence message.
http://www.gulf-times.com/story/591347/QIA-football-league-pulls-noted-players-from-India
Played over the weekends at Doha Stadium and started sine the second week of March, the Champions League 2018 has not only drawn huge spectatorship but the organisers have also succeeded in bringing about 80 footballers from India to represent various teams taking part in the league.
Out of the 12 participating teams, some have brought their players from different states of India mainly from Kerala. Considering the growing popularity of the sport, the teams have also brought players from some of the other Indian states, notably Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
We have IFN members in Doha they can provide more insight into this.
@shibier
http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/indian-football-asian-cup-south-africa-new-zealand/qgf5ne07kndk11smsanvf5tzr
According to this report South Africa, New Zealand & Chinese Taipei will play
The All Whites will play a four-team tournament in India next month.
New Zealand will take on hosts India, Chinese Taipei and a yet-to-be-announced African nation from June 1 to 10 in Mumbai. India media have reported that team will be South Africa.
The tournament, dubbed the 'Intercontinental Cup', will feature a round-robin format before the two highest-placed teams meet in the final.
It will be coach Fritz Schmid's second chance to get a look at the players at his disposal for the next four years after starting his tenure with a 1-0 loss to Canada in Spain in March.
It will be a matchup of the minnows of world football, with the All Whites the lowest ranked of the three confirmed teams at 133. India are 97th and Chinese Taipei 121st. South Africa, if confirmed, would be the highest-ranked team at 72.
New Zealand Football technical director Andreas Heraf said the tournament would be a good chance to put in the foundations for the 2022 World Cup cycle.
"It was exciting to see the team return to action in March for the first time since the Intercontinental Playoff against Peru and we are looking forward to seeing what can be achieved with our new coach at the helm," he saids.
"This tournament will be invaluable for Fritz as he looks to put a team together capable of competing with the best in the world and making it all the way to Qatar."
The All Whites have played India once before, a 0-0 draw in a friendly in Kuala Lumpur in 1981.
They have played Chinese Taipei, also commonly known as Taiwan, on 12 occasions and are yet to lose, notching 10 wins and two draws.