Seven Sisters Love Football: May 2010

World Cup mania grips Kerala

FIFA World Cup 2010: Stars to watch out for

Thiruvananthapuram: With the football World Cup set to start in South Africa in a fortnight's time, millions of lovers of the game in Kerala are gearing up for the fiesta as the sport is followed passionately in the state.

The enthusiasm is already visible on the streets, especially in the districts of north Kerala and Malappuram, as the June 11-July 11 event approaches. Shops too have piled up soccer memorabilia.

Flags, banners and cutouts of the teams and star players are getting ready. Some of the cutouts of Brazil, Germany, Argentina, France, Italy, not to mention Ivory Coast, have already found their way to the streets. Over the next few days, giant size pictures of stars like Kaka, Robinho, Thiery Henry, Lionel Messi, Theo Walcott, Didier Drogba, Peter Crouch will signal the arrival of the World Cup.

In the central Kerala district of Kottayam, unlike in the past, this time the enthusiasm has gathered momentum early with various clubs and shops piling up stocks of banners, posters and jerseys.

"In the last World Cup we were not ready because we were not sure if we would be able to do business in selling the national jerseys of various teams and were a bit cautious," said a textile shop owner near Kottayam.

"Once the event started, we did get a steady number of inquiries, but by then it was too late. So this time we have made arrangements with leading manufacturers that they would supply us any number of jerseys at short notice."

Football enthusiast and two time independent legislator Manjalamkuzhi Ali, who hails from Malappuram, said as always he would follow the Brazilians.

"But this time, I do not have high hopes of how far they will reach. Even though they are capable of making an impact, they are equally capable of disappointing their fans. Let us wait and see. This time any prediction will be tough, but nevertheless it is going to be a few weeks of football mania," Ali said.

With the IPL fiasco and the Indian cricket team crashing out of the T20 World Cup last month, for the time being cricket has taken a back seat and children as well as youth are concentrating on football.

"I am a keen football fan. During my 90 minutes of travel to college everyday, I have observed that interest in football has picked up," remarked Shreya Punnoose studying in a college in Pathanamthitta.

Sports shops in the state capital are leaving nothing to chance as they stock up footballs, jerseys, boots and stockings.

"We are fully ready with stocks and sales are gradually picking up. Sales will peak once the first round of matches gets into high gear," said C. Rajesh who owns a premier sports shop.

To whip up football passion across the state, former players of Kerala Police are organising an exhibition football match against a rest of Kerala team comprising veterans like former India captain Xavier Pious, Victor Manjila and Najummudin.

"We feel this is the right time to have an exhibition football match to be held here so that the mood is created in the minds of Keralites," senior police officer P P Thobias told said.

Thobias, who captained the Indian youth football team and also donned the colours for the senior national team, said he will put his money on Brazil.

There is a hitch though. With a leading cable distribution company having a dispute with sports channels over telecast rates, football fans in Kerala are wondering if they be able to catch the action live on their television sets

Support Of Local Government Is Essential For AFC's Vision Programme

The Support Of Local Government Is Essential For AFC's Vision Programme To Be A Success - AIFF General Secretary Alberto Colaco

Time to hear from the chief...

By Rahul Bali

Medley: Alberto Colaco and the AIFF logo

With the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) decision to scrap the Vision Asia- India programme from Tamil Nadu and Delhi, Goal.com probed the reasons for the same and got insights from the general secretary of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Alberto Colaco.

Goal.com: With AFC's Vision India being scrapped in Tamil Nadu after Delhi, what could be the possible reasons for the same?

Colaco: The AFC Vision Asia-India States have to comply with certain requirements. These requirements include bringing the Constitution in line with the FIFA, AFC and AIFF Constitutions, having a State League, a Youth Programme and various Education programmes. Delhi has been working on amending their Constitution but the process is still on. They also could not launch the State League because of various reasons. Unfortunately there was no progress in Tamil Nadu at all.

Goal.com: Who is responsible for this - the state association, AIFF or the AFC?

Colaco: It is easy to point fingers and blame others. I would like to inform you that the AFC hosted delegations from the four State Associations and conducted a seminar in which they clearly spelt out the requirements for the Vision programmes. So the State Associations were aware of the requirements. The AIFF’s role is to support the State Associations and we have earmarked a budget of Rs. 5 lakhs to each of the Vision Asia-India State Associations. For the success of the Vision programme support of the local Governments is essential.

In my opinion it is always more difficult to change an existing league then to launch a new one. This was one of the main hurdles faced by Delhi Soccer Association (DSA).

Goal.com: Does this create a bad reputation for India in the eyes of the world of football?

Colaco: It is not good that projects are dropped. But this gives us an opportunity to revisit the whole programme and discuss with the concerned State Associations and AFC.

Goal.com: What was the criteria of being selected for the Vision Project?

Colaco: The criteria was as follows:

1. Delhi: Because it fitted in the concept of a City League of the AFC Vision Asia project. Also being the National Capital it could serve as a model for the other States.

2. Manipur: Because of the undoubted contribution to Football by this State.

3. Kerala and Tamil Nadu: To explore the potential both in terms of talent and the popularity of football in these States.

4. Goa and West Bengal: To further enhance the organisation and the programmes already existing in these States.

Goal.com: The Delhi Soccer Association (DSA) secretary, Bhatia was quoted saying that the failure to amend the Constitution was the primary reason for the programme being scrapped from his state but that's the case with Manipur and Kerala. Then why is the Vision Programme still on there?

Colaco: Manipur, which after three years of successful implementation of the Vision project, is considered a matured Vision programme is in the process of amending their Constitution. They have fulfilled all other criteria. Even then AFC stopped a special grant that they were giving Manipur as they did not fulfil the Constitution amendment requirement.

As far as Kerala is concerned the final draft of the Constitution is ready and Kerala Football Association (KFA) is in the process of convening a meeting to discuss and approve the new Constitution.

As far as Goa and West Bengal are concerned, AFC has written to them to give an undertaking and time table to fulfil certain requirements. One of these is bring the Constitution in line with FIFA, AFC and AIFF. They are waiting for a response by Indian Football Association (West Bengal) and Goa Football Association to launch the programme.

AFC scraps Delhi, TN Vision Asia projects

NEW DELHI: Six years of inaction by the Delhi Soccer Association has led to the city losing a chance to raise its football standard as Asian Football Confederation decided to scrap the Vision India Programme under AFC's Vision Asia Project launched in 2004.

Tamil Nadu met the same fate as Delhi and it was also stripped of the Vision India Programme after a meeting of the Vision Asia Committee at the AFC Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Delhi Soccer Association Secretary N K Bhatia said the main problem was the delay in amending the constitution in line with the AIFF and AFC.

"There were criteria to be fulfilled under the Vision Asia Project. The main issue was in case of change in our constitution. We are doing that shortly," he said.

AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam was unsparing to those who failed to implement the project and said Vision Asia needed proactive support from the stakeholders.

"Vision Asia cannot work independently and needs to have commitments from Member Associations and city or provincial FAs for its success. If the MAs are not willing to change their statutes and meet the demands of modern football, we have no option but to drop these projects," he said after the brainstorming session in Kuala Lumpur.

With the stripping of Vision Asia Projects from Delhi and Tamil Nadu, only Manipur and Kerala remained the two states in the country where a full-fledged programme is being run.

The same project was launched in Goa last year while West Bengal is in line for its implementation.

In fact, Delhi and Manipur were among the first projects launched in Asia which has 11 different elements for specific focus ranging from marketing, coach education, competition, referees, women's football, youth and grassroot development.

Manipur is running the project admirably well and it has got praise from the AFC itself while Kerala is picking up steam.

The project was apparently on track after a delegation of DSA and Delhi government ministers pledged to revive it during a visit to Kuala Lumpur in July 2008 but it has apparently hit a roadblock now.

DSA President Subhash Chopra had at that time said his association has formed a committee to review the statutes and bring them in line with the FIFA Standard.

Vision Asia, which was started in 2004, is being implemented in six geographical zones -- West Asia, South and Central Asia, East Asia, China and India.

China and India were treated as an individual entity as both countries, by virtue of their huge population, presented an immense potential for progress to the top echelons of not just Asian, but international football.

Rooney voted best footballer by Writers’ Association

LONDON - Manchester United ace striker Wayne Rooney won the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award and said that he wants to become a top-class manager.

Rooney got record percentage of votes from journalists with just over 81 percent of votes cast, finishing ahead of Chelsea forward Didier Drogba andManchester City’s Carlos Tevez to win the prestigious award.

Rooney received his award at the FWA’s gala dinner at the Lancaster London Hotel on Thursday evening, The Telegraph reports.

Rooney, who scored 34 goals in all competitions this term, admitted it was a privilege to follow the likes of Bobby Moore and Sir Bobby Charlton to be named Footballer of the Year, and revealed he intended to stay involved in the game for many years to come.

“I would like to (step into management). I joined Everton when I was nine years old and football has been a massive part of my life. When you do stop playing, I want to be involved in football,” Rooney said.

“I started doing my coaching badges this year, and probably did not do as many classes as I would have liked. Hopefully I can continue them next year. I lovefootball and enjoy football - I can’t see myself running a restaurant, I want to be in football,” he said.

“But now I am only 24. Hopefully I can progress and the best years are still ahead of me. I am always learning every day, and take things in from all my teammates. As a player you are never the finished article. I want to keep learning and getting better.”

Rooney’s immediate plans are to focus on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Malngiang & Deuri in squad

Duo selected to represent the U-14 Indian team in Tehran; 2 Assam lads miss the bus

OUR CORRESPONDENT

Allen Deori (top); Elnester Malngiang

Shillong, May 12: Meghalaya footballer Elnester Malngiang and Assam lad Allen Deori found their places in the national squad that will represent the nation in the forthcoming under-14 boys’ football festival in Tehran from May 18.

The festival, organised by the Asian Football Confederation, will see teams from many countries of the continent taking part.

Informing this, Meghalaya Football Association official Sunesh Syiem said initially, there were two Meghalaya boys among the probables. Apart from 12-year-old Elnester, who hails from Sohiong in East Khasi Hills district, Gameliel Kharlyngdoh of Mawlai was the other player who was supposed to fly to the Iranian capital on Saturday. However, Gameliel was reported to have a torn ligament and has been advised two months’ rest before he can resume play. Syiem said the two lads were products of the association’s under-14, under-15 and under-17 tournaments in the state. “The purpose of such tournaments is to select boys who have the potential to represent the nation in various tournaments,” he added.

Deori, who hails from Guwahati, will be representing the nation for the second time after being part of the same age group team last year, adds a staff report from Guwahati. The 13-year-old is a product of the premier football-training institute of the city — Guwahati Youngstar Football Coaching Centre.

Deori was accompanied by two more players from Assam — Binit Roy and Dwnsirwng Basumatary — but the duo failed to make the squad and had to return this time. “They still stand a fair chance in more trial camps and I am sure they too will make the cut,” said Assam Football Association secretary Ankur Dutta.

Lionel Messi wants Cheryl Cole to support Argentina in World Cup

London, May 12 (ANI): Soccer superstar Lionel Messi has suggested that Cheryl Cole should support Argentina in the World Cup - as they “know how to treat their women”.

Taking a jibe at Cheryl’s love rat hubby, England defender Ashley, Messi said his country had the “prettiest” players.

“I don’t know if Cheryl is going to want to support England. She might be a bit anti England players at the moment,” the Sun quoted the Barcelona forward as saying.

“If she is looking for a new nation to follow at the World Cup, she should look no further than Argentina.

“We play the prettiest football, have the prettiest players, and Argentinian men also know how to treat their women,” he added.

Messi also said he would want ‘X Factor’ judge Cheryl, 26, to join the party if the Argies win in South Africa.

“She would of course have to do the Tango. I don’t think there would be a shortage of Argentinian players willing to help teach her,” he added.

onfident Chandigarh team gear up for football junior national challenge

Chandigarh Chandigarh Football Academy has till now produced 14 international players, Pawan Kumar, Ravinder Kumar, Sukhvinder Kumar, Akib Javed, Sukhdip Singh, Rakesh Kumar, Gagan, Baljinder, Johny Kumar, Bikramjit, Deepak Devrani, Sajandeep, Ruatfela and Sumit Passi

In the presence of Sanjiv Maria, Deepak Devrani and Bikramjit Singh-three celebrated footballers from the city- the atmosphere at Sector 17 Football stadium was perked up. With the preparation for the Junior National Football Championships for Dr BC Roy Trophy (under-19) to be held in Kolkata in full swing, playing with these players who had represented at the highest level, meant more than anything for the 30 probables undergoing the camp. So with added energy and hardwork, the camp is turning out to be a new experience for all the players. "Playing against these boys is fun. I am recovering from the injury and therefore it is more like a training session for me. The boys are doing well and they should do well in the nationals also," Sanjiv Maria, who had played for Mohun Bagan, said.
In the last edition of the nationals, the Chandigarh team could not clear their group but this year there are several factors which might work for them. The first and foremost is the presence of 14 players from Chandigarh Football Academy. Out of the 14 players, 12 are the same which had bagged gold medals in the Under-17 National School Games. "None of the other states have been able to win the gold in National School Games two times in succession. There are also other good players in the probables and watching them practice hard in the camp, I am sure the boys will do much better than the previous years," shared Tejinder Kumar, coach, CFA, who is also imparting training to the probables.
The second factor which goes in their favour is the duration of the camp. Earlier, the camps were held ten days or two weeks before the tournament but this time they camp started almost a month in advance. "The Santosh Trophy camp will start in the first week of June and that's why we started the Under-19 camp earlier this time. Moreover, we wanted the players to get enough practice before the tournament. This ways we hope the boys will perform well in the tournament," said Rakesh Bakshi, general secretary, Chandigarh Football Association.
Surinder Singh, coach, St Stephen's Football Academy, nods in affirmation. "The players will get more time to understand each others' game and moreover it will help the team gel into a unit. This will translate into good results," he said.
Since Bikramjit and Deepak have still not passed out from the academy, they will not take part in the tournament as they have played for senior national team. "We would have loved to play but we know there are other players who are waiting for their chances. Lots of players from this team will do well in the future," said Bikramjit.
On June 9, when Chandigarh take on Mizoram in a Cluster III match, it will be deja vu for Ruatfela, Lalthazuala and Abrahim as these players will play against the players from the state where they were born. However, they will vouch for Chandigarh, the place which have given them everything. "We will try and win the match for Chandigarh," voiced goalkeeper Ruatfela, who is the only players out of the 14 to had played in the U-19 nationals before.
Chandigarh are in Cluster III along with Mizoram, Kerala and Gujarat. They will play their first match against Gujarat on June 5.
The Under-19 tournament is one of the most important tournament for All India Football Federation (AIFF) as they select players for the Under-19 AFC qualifiers after closely scrutinising players from this tournament.
THE FIVE STARS
Name:Deepak Devrani
Age: 18
Position: Defender
Achievements: He was member of India A team in the SAFF Games in 2009. Deepak also represented India in the U-19 Asia Cup in 2008
Name: Ruatfela
Age: 17
Position: Goalkeeper
Achievements: He was a part of the team that won two gold medals in U-17 National School Games. He also played for Chandigarh in the Dr BC Roy Trophy
Name: Sumit Passi
Age:17
Position:Striker
Achievements:The lanky striker was a member of the Indian team for the Asian School Games held in 2008. He was part of the team that won two gold medals in U-17 National School Games.
Name:Bikramjit
Age:18
Position:Midfielder
Achievements:He was also a part of the Indian team for the SAFF games held in Bangaldesh. He also represented India in the Under-16, Under-19 Asia Cup.
Name:Sajandeep
Age:18
Position:Midfielder
Achievements:He was a member of the Indian U-13 and U-14