Mohun Bagan president resigns ahead of club election
Mohun Bagan president Swapan Sadhan Bose has submitted his resignation on Monday, ahead of the forthcoming club elections. In his resignation letter to the club secretary and the executive committee members, Bose explained that it would not be possible for him to work in the election neutrally sitting on the president’s chair. In his letter, he mentioned that he has never misused the power of the president’s chair. This time also, he has stressed on the matter that he will not try to influence anybody using the president’s chair. Under the guidance of retired judge Asim Roy election board at the club has already been formed. Srinjoy Bose, son of Swapan Sadhan Bose when asked whether his father will contest in the election, replied, “I do not think so although Tutu Bose himself will finally decide what he will do.”
AIFF to ask Churchill Brothers to return the trophy; Churchill Alemao says they will not!
Churchill Brothers does not want to return the I-League trophy to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) even though the AIFF has decided to write an email to the Goan club to return it! The AIFF handed over the trophy to the Goan club in a function on Sunday evening in Goa despite the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) order not to declare Churchill Brothers as the winner of I-League 2025 following an appeal from Inter Kashi. Deputy General Secretary of the All India Football federation M Satyanarayanan stated, “We got to know about the CAS order by 4:45 PM only on Sunday and by that time we had handed over the trophy. We are consulting our legal department and will shortly write to Churchill to return the trophy.” Churchill Alemao, the club’s founder president when asked about the issue commented while speaking over the phone, “We won the I-League this season playing on the field, not playing off the field. So, having earned the highest point we have become champions. We deserve it. AIFF handed over the trophy yesterday in a function. Now, the news are there that they will ask us to return the trophy! Is not it a joke?” Alemao added, “First of all I do not know whether we have received any such email yet. Secondly, nobody can take the trophy back from us even if we receive such mails.” Alemao also added, “We were victimized in different ways in the I-League this season. The key purpose was to stop us from entering into the ISL. But finally, we overcame all the conspiracies and other hurdles and won the League.” Meanwhile, Edmund Lalrindika, the Mizoram striker who had a consistent show with Inter Kashi in the I-League is likely to join Kerala Blasters to participate in the ISL next season.
Fifa agent arrives in North 24 Pargana FC to materialize the scouting program in England
The newly-built club North 24 Pargana FC is all set to begin its talent-nurturing project as an experienced Fifa Match and Players’ agent Alexie Ivanov arrived at the club on Monday morning for a detailed discussion about the club’s project. Alexie has been working as a Fifa Match and Players’ agent for last 15 years throughout the world. He has worked with several clubs especially like legendary Manchester City, Hoffenheim FC and Girona also. This has been Alexie’s sixth visit to India and in his last visit, he worked as the Fifa’s match-agent for the tournament for Kerala Blasters, Girona FC, and Melbourne City in 2018 and took initiative for organizing a tournament involving the three teams in India. Considering the plans North 24 Pargana FC has designed so far, the potential kids will get the opportunity to train at a top academy in England. The scouting program will take place under the guidance of Ivanov. “This project is very positive. We have plans so far that the potential boys of this academy will be taken to England and they will be provided top-class training through a scientific coaching program,” explained Ivanov. While continuing, he added, “At the same time, the boys will be provided an opportunity to have exposure to competitive matches to develop them. I am optimistic that this project will help Indian football ultimately. There are several top-class and professional academies in the UK as well as several club academies. The decision will be taken where exactly the boys will be placed.” Narayan Goswami, the president of North 24 Parganas district and the key man behind the project opined, “North 24 Pargana FC wants to start with 100 potential kids, screening from this district. They will be provided modern training system with the help of experienced foreign coaches and will also be offered food and accommodation during the training period. The project is expected to kick off at the Ashokenagar stadium and we are in the process of developing infrastructure there.”
North 24 Parganas DSA secretary appreciates the presence of Subrata Paul in North 24 Parganas football league
North 24 Parganas District Sports Association secretary Nabab Bhattacharya has appreciated the presence of Subrata Paul, former India international custodian and presently national team director, during the rejuvenated North 24 Parganas football league starting from 1 May. The 58 teams in three divisions will vie for the title in a four-month league held in most of the district club grounds. Bhattacharya divulged that there are stadiums in the district in Barrackpore, Naihati, Goyeshpur, and Dumdum, and DSA has plans to get to stadiums if needed. When asked about Subrata Paul’s presence in the league, Bhattacharya explained, “We are thankful to Paul that he has come forward to support the overall development of the game in North 24 Parganas. His presence and encouragement to the next generation of footballers will inspire us to drive for more development through youth programs in the future.” Subrata apart, the North 24 Parganas football league will also be enriched by the presence of a few more former India international footballers from the district like Lal Kamal Bhowmick, Mohammed Rafiq, and junior India international Prabir Das. Along with them, the present-day stars of Indian and Bengal football like Shouvik Chakrabarty, Sahil Harijon, and Tarak Hembrom will also be seen in action in the League this season. Shyamnagar Tarun Sangha, under the coaching of Lal Kamal Bhowmick, and Baranagar Sporting Club which is guided by Ranjan Bhattacharya will be facing each other in the opening match on 1st May. Subrata Paul, although has retired from professional football last year, might not wear gloves again in the league for his club. Still, he is expected to encourage his club footballers. Bhattacharya also revealed they are optimistic about getting sponsors for the league this season. “We have been negotiating with a few financial institutions including the company which came forward for the League last season. We are hopeful that we will get financial support finally,” added Bhattacharya.
