Seven Sisters Love Football: February 2012

Sikkim to host soccer tourney for Northeast

BIJOY GURUNG

Paljor Stadium in Gangtok where the Dr T Ao Memorial Cup will be held. File picture

Gangtok, Feb. 22 : Sikkim will for the first time host the Dr T Ao Memorial Cup, a premier football tournament for the eight northeastern states.

The tournament, started by the ministry of DoNER in 2003, will be organised by the Sikkim sports department this time. The matches will be held at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok from March 2 to 9.

“The cup is hosted by all northeastern states in rotation and Sikkim will organise the tournament for the first time this year. Preparations are on to make the tournament a success,” state sports secretary Karma P. Bhutia told journalists here today.

Bhutia hoped that the best soccer talents would be on display. “This is the biggest football tournament in the Northeast which is the producer of a large number of players in the country. I am sure that a lot of budding talents will be on display at the tournament. All the matches will be very competitive.”

The eight states will be divided into two groups with four teams each for the tournament. Two top teams from each group will qualify for the semi-final.

The winner can take home Rs 7 lakh, while the runner-up will be awarded Rs 4 lakh. The state that comes third in the tournament will receive Rs 2 lakh. Manipur had lifted the cup last year.

The sports secretary said the Sikkim Football Association had been delegated the responsibility of raising a team for the state.

“We have written to the SFA to form the Sikkim team for the tournament. Top players from Sikkim are playing for clubs outside the state and we have to see whether they are free or not for the Ao Memorial Cup. We hope Bhaichung Bhutia will play for Sikkim if he is free,” said Bhutia.

He added that people could watch the matches free.

A player has to be a resident certificate holder of a particular northeastern state to represent that team in the cup. Dr Ao was from Nagaland and was the captain of the first Indian football team for the London Olympics in 1948. He played for Mohun Bagan from 1943 to 1952. The player passed away in 1998.

The ministry of DoNER had launched the tournament in Dr Ao’s memory in Guwahati in 2003.

Bhutia’s club United Sikkim protests against Ar Hima’s allegations of match-fixing

United Sikkim Football Club (USFC) on Saturday dismissed Ar Hima’s allegations as baseless after the Meghalaya-based side’s coach Subrata Bhattacharjee accused USFC of match-fixing. According to a report in The Telegraph, in a letter to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) secretary Kushal Das, USFC asked the club to produce necessary evidence and are mulling legal action against the club and their coach. “We think these types of baseless allegations are hampering the reputation of our club. This is our earnest request to you to kindly look into the matter and request Ar Hima to produce necessary proof in this matter,” USFC said in a letter to AIFF. “United Sikkim management is looking for necessary legal action against Ar Hima and its coach (Subrata Bhattacharjee),” the letter added.

Meanwhile, Yogeshwar Dutt started his London campaign with a gold medal on Saturday in the Asian Wrestling Championship currently underway in Gumi, South Korea, says a report in The Times Of India. He beat wrestlers from Kazakhstan, Japan, China and Iran on the way to gold. “It’s always good to win a medal just ahead of the qualifiers. The medal has given me self-belief and motivation to perform better in the qualifiers in March,” Yogeshwar told TOI from South Korea.

Yogeshwar (60kg) had last won a gold medal in the Asian Championship in 2008 and gave the event a miss after that. The Indian wrestlers had undergone month-long high-altitude training in Colorado Springs, United States last month. “Highaltitude training in US has helped a lot in tackling breathing problems during bouts. The gains of our hard work in the US are reflecting in our performance. I had four bouts in all, of which three bouts went on till three rounds,” he added.

According to The Hindu report, India added two mixed team gold medals to teenage compound archer Chittibomma Jignas's individual gold on the penultimate day of the first Asian Grand Prix archery tournament in Bangkok on Saturday. India won three silvers through Mangal Singh Champia (men's recurve), Chekrovolu Swuro (women's recurve) and Rajat Chauhan (men's compound) and the lone bronze through veteran Jhano Hansdah (women's compound). Jignas downed compatriot Chauhan in the tie-breaker after they tied at 144. Jignas's shot was found to be closer to the centre as both hit the bull's eye in the men's compound final. The mixed recurve team of Jayanta Talukdar and L. Bombayla Devi won gold beating a Japanese pair at 143-142 in the final while the compound mixed team of Chauhan and Hansdah out shot Myanmar archers at 151-148.

According to a TOI report, the four wise men of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) and two government nominees will sit down at Rudrapur in Uttarakhand on Sunday to finalize the squad for the London Olympics with pistol shooter Heena Sidhu and Athens Olympics silver medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore emerging as strong contenders to win a berth. Also in the running for a berth in the Games are pistol shooter Anisa Sayyed and rifle shooters Joydeep Karmakar and Sushil Ghaley.

“It has been unanimously decided to exchange the third quota we won in men’s rifle 3-position through Imran Hassan Khan as we already have two entries in Sanjeev Rajput and Gagan Narang,” national coach Sunny Thomas said. The coach said that Karmakar and Ghaley comes into the picture to grab the place of rifle prone shooter Hari Om Singh whose performance has dipped after winning the quota in the World Championship in 2010.

Return to peace boosts Karbi fest footfall

GUWAHATI: The 38th Karbi Youth Festival (KYF '12) held at Taralangso, 3km from Diphu in Karbi Anglong district, witnessed the highest numbers of visitors - three lakh - since its inception in 1974. The reason for this jump in the footfall is that peace has finally returned to the hill district and people felt safe attending the event this year. Militancy has been at an all-time low in Karbi Anglong in the past six months with most rebel outfits of the district coming to the mainstream.

"It was amazing to witness the festival. We have been hearing about this festival for a long time but were too scared to come here because of the militancy problem in the district. But this time, with things changing for the better, a few of us decided to cycle from Guwahati to attend the event," said Albert, who covered 241km from the city on a bicycle to reach the venue of the fest.

The Karbi Youth Festival, purported to be the largest ethnic festival in the northeast, this year recorded over three lakh visitors, including more than 1,200 foreigners compared to just two lakh last year. The five-day festival, which began on Wednesday and ended on Sunday, showcased the traditional and ethnic diversity of Karbi Anglong district along with performances by national and international artists.

"As expected, the KYF was a huge success this time. Tourists from all over the world came here and witnessed our rich ethnicity. This year, the footfall broke all records, with more than three lakh visitors attending the festival. And the credit goes to the recently-restored peace in the district. With most of the militant outfits coming to the negotiation table, we hope the festival will gather an even bigger following in coming years," said Ranjan Engti, chief coordinator of the event.

Chief minister Tarun Gogoi's son Gaurav too participated in the event, informed Engti. "Gaurav said he hasn't seen such an amazing festival anywhere in the world. We hope he will help us get government support to promote the event," said Engti. He added the organizers have approached the state tourism department earlier but been faced with disappointment.

In the past few months spanning 2011-end and the beginning of this year, the hill district's major rebel outfit, the United People's Democratic Solidarity (UPDS), disbanded itself, while peace talks with both factions of another militant group, the DHD, have almost reached the final stage. Several other groups like the Kuki Revolutionary Army, United Kukigram Defense Army, Hmar People's Convention (Democracy) and Kuki Liberation Army have also laid down their arms.

In December last, 568 cadres of the UPDS formally laid down their arms in front of Assam Police. A total of 177 weapons, including AK series rifles, M-16 rifles, 40mm UBGLs and SLRs were handed over to the police along with ammunition.

UPDS joint secretary (political affairs) Waraju Mukrang who also participated in the festival said that it was a good experience. "It was nice," was his brief remark.

NE the future powerhouse of Indian football

Former professional football player from Nigeria and now coach of Sangpang FC, Chima Okorie gestures to the players during a practice session at the Assam Rifles Ground on Friday, February 17, 2012. (Sashi Jamir Photos)

Mokokchung, Feb 20 : Perhaps it’s a change of wind in the Nagaland football scenario especially with the proposed Nagaland Premiere League tentatively scheduled to kick off from the end of this month. Almost everyone is talking something about football and this small town of Nagaland a Nigerian football coach Chima Okorie is coaching a local club day and night for the past few days preparing them for the NPL season.

Forty-five year old Chima Okorie, a Nigerian former professional football striker who was renowned for his goalscoring prowess in the Indian leagues, had played for the Mohammedan SC, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.
He arrived on February 13 from Kolkata with his friend Swati Chaudhury (from the NGO - Hridaya Family) to coach the Sangpang FC players for two weeks.
The unassuming Chima Okorie, while interacting with media-persons at Café Cityville, expressed deep satisfaction on the young players that he is coaching at present.
However, while lamenting the lack of exposure for the Naga players, Okorie however expressed hope that with the NPL would help in creating a platform for the Naga players to shine in the national and even international arena. He expressed optimism that age is on the side of the young players and added that the talent and passion on the players would surely take them to greater heights.
Besides, he also said that North East is the future powerhouse of Indian football and asserted that the future of Indian football would be determined by Northeast. He also asserted that if India should have a national team, then the maximum number of players should be from the northeastern states.
“Some of the best players I have played with and played against in India are those players from the northeast India. Indian football should start from the northeast,” said Chima Okorie, “If India had to play in the World Cup (FIFA), northeast players have to play a major role.”
When queried on the sports infrastructure, Chima Okorie simply stated that the players needed better grounds, but he retorted that he ‘can’t be bothered’ because as long as there is an empty space, then people can go there and play. Nonetheless, he expressed his deep hope that through football the young talented players would find a profession in life and make a mark in the society. He strongly asserted that football is one very important means which can mould a disciplined life for the young players, and make them into responsible citizens of the society.
However, he maintained that a good footballer needs to have the qualities of discipline, dedication, respect (for self and others), ability to listen and knowing who the ‘self’ is.
“Darkness has gone, light has come. Football is a profession…make your talents come,” he encouraged the young aspiring players in the state. Sangpang FC owners disclosed that Chima Okorie would be moving between the states of Nagaland and West Bengal and coach the Sangpang FC players on regular intervals.
It may be noted here that Sangpang FC is one of the two clubs from Mokokchung district which will be playing in the NPL season this year. The other club from the district is Zonipang FC, the winner of the MFDA Trophy 2011.

FIFA chief to visit India next month

NEW DELHI: FIFA president Sepp Blatter is to visit India in March as the football federation looks to develop one of the world's most untapped markets, officials said on Tuesday.

India is also looking for a boost in its bid to host the under-17 World Cup in 2017 during Blatter's trip on March 9.

"Blatter's visit shows how much importance FIFA is giving to India," All-India Football Federation (AIFF) vice-president Subrata Dutta said in a statement.

"The world body's support in building the right kind of infrastructure in the country has been beyond our expectations."

Four football academies supported by FIFA are being built in Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore and New Delhi, Dutta said.

The sport is already extremely popular in some areas of India, particularly in the northeast and southern Kerala, but is viewed as having huge potential nation-wide despite the dominance of cricket.

English Premier League sides Liverpool and Manchester United have set up academies in India, and Blackburn Rovers were bought by Indian chicken farm firm Venky's in 2010.

A new league in the eastern state of West Bengal is slated to start next month featuring semi-retired world stars like former Argentina star Hernan Crespo and Italy's World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro.

Blatter last visted India in 2007 when he watched a match between two top domestic teams, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, in Kolkata.

In an interview to the British newspaper Telegraph last year, Blatter identified India as a potential World Cup host in 2026.

"If we have to identify new territories where football can be a better part of life then definitely it is the sub-continent, India, where they have 1.2 billion people," Blatter was quoted as saying.

"This is really a double market, not just a market for football but for the economy too. India is a real power."

The AIFF stressed India stood a good chance of hosting the under-17 World Cup in 2017 and it was working towards submitting a bid.

"If India becomes the host nation, we will get a direct entry into the tournament," said Dutta. "It will encourage more kids to play football and take it up as a career option.

"It will also enable us to develop a quality structure for the sport."

Man United stage incredible comeback to draw at Chelsea

Javier Hernandez celebrates with team mates after equalizing against Chelsea.

London: There were some numbers to be crunched before this game and the pressure was surely on Manchester United to win it after Manchester City’s victory at Fulham on Saturday. But the way this match was played was reminiscent of the fact why the English Premier League is touted as the best in the world.

Chelsea took a healthy 3-0 lead before Wayne Rooney inspired his team to 3-2, scoring two penalties before Javier Hernandez headed in an equaliser from Ryan Giggs’ cross.
“We dug in, we fought well and maybe that point could win us the league at the end of the season,” said Wayne Rooney, being interviewed by Sky Sports after he won the man-of-the-match award.
The referee was at the centre of the proceedings as early as the 10th minute, when he turned down a penalty shout from Danny Welbeck who was clearly felled by Gary Cahill on the edge of the box.
United controlled proceedings for the first half hour, patiently probing and passing it around in midfield before Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge decided to carry the ball past the right hand side and into the danger area. His pull-back hit Jonny Evans’ body and it went in past David De Gea for the hosts to take the lead.
If the first half was exciting, then the second half was simply thrilling. Fernando Torres delivered a sumptuous cross from the right wing and Juan Mata showcased his brilliant technique, scoring straight off it in an unstoppable manner. Chelsea were 3-0 up within four minutes of the second half as David Luiz headed in Mata’s free-kick from the right wing.
There was a hint of luck for the Brazilian defender as his header deflected off Rio Ferdinand in what looked like an attempt which might have gone wide.
Manchester United looked as if they were down and out but a penalty decision in the 56th minute went their way and Wayne Rooney scored in the top corner.
With their tails up, United attacked from all sides and Danny Welbeck was brought down in the box by Branislav Ivanovic as Hernandez teed him up. It was a debatable decision but Rooney sent Cech the other way and brought the scoreline to 3-2.
With that sort of motivation, United went all out and Hernandez was at the centre of all the action. It was therefore fitting for the little Mexican to head in the equaliser from a glorious Ryan Giggs cross.
It was all or nothing for both sides after the comeback but David De Gea still had one moment to assure United fans that he has something in him which must have forced Sir Alex to pay so much money for the youngster.
Juan Mata took an absolutely sensational free-kick, which was perfectly heading into the top corner, but it was to be De Gea’s night as he stopped it at full stretch, certainly giving his team a valuable point.
Post match, Ferguson admitted that he saw the result as two points dropped rather than one point gained, but he was still impressed with his players. “To be honest, I should have played Chicharito straight from the second half. He just changed the match. Welbeck was also really good and will turn out to be a top player and De Gea showed us that he has talent and we will trust that talent.”
With Manchester City now two points ahead of their local rivals in the title race, every match is worth winning. And every point, is worth fighting for.

Langsning beat Threads, United Sikkim too register win

NEW DELHI: Three goals in ten minutes from Meghalaya outfit Langsning helped them beat Kerala's Golden Threads 3-1 in the 2nd division I-League match played at the Ambedkar Stadium on Thursday.

In another match, Simla Youngs and Luangmual FC played out a goalless draw.

In Silchar, Baichung Bhutia's United Sikkim FC beat Bhawanipore FC 3-2, Gauhati Town Club beat Quartz FC 4-0 in Cuttack while Kalighat MS beat Techno Aryan FC 2-1 at the same venue.

Golden Threads scored in the 15th minute when Shemeer AJ's shot had Langsning custodian stranded.

Golden Threads had a better time on the field in the first half but failed to capitalise on the chances that came their way.

The start of the second half saw Langsning dominating the game and Shin Ho Jun restored parity for them in 59th minute off a free kick from outside the top of the box.

Aliad K Kynta helped the Meghalaya side take the lead in the 65th minute as his sizzling right footer had Jennesh Thomas diving in vain.

Langsning didn't have to wait much to make it 3-1 as four minutes later Shin ho Jun found the back of the net to seal the fate in his team's favour.

In the match between Youngs and Luangmual FC, till full time, both the teams failed to break the deadlock. The best chance of the match came in the 35th minute when Young's Ravi Jugde tripped Malsawm Tluanga in the penalty area.

But Denghming Thanga muffed the opportunity, when he kicked straight into the hands of Youngs custodian Varinder Singh.