Ahead of the election ‘Team Debasish’ promises to introduce ‘campus’ and a new project on grass-route development
Under the guidance of club secretary Debashis Dutta, the existing administration of Mohun Bagan Athletic Club revealed its desire to materialize its several new plans through a manifesto. Ahead of the club election, the existing administration, in their manifesto has divulged that they have plans to introduce a ‘Mohun Bagan Campus’ that will have a full-sized ground and stadium. The campus can be constructed on the outskirt of Kolkata. According to the promises made by ‘Team Debashis’ in their proposal, the club desires to introduce a museum where along with several historical documents, original replicas of all the trophies the club has achieved including the ISL Shield and Cup will be preserved. The administration has also mentioned to introduce a project on the grass-route development where kids of 10 to 12 years will be scouted and nurtured for the club’s under-13 football team. Simultaneously, the present body has promised to introduce a women’s football team following a discussion with the company (Mohun Bagan Football Club Private Ltd.). Among many other promises in their manifesto, ‘Team Debashis’ has revealed that they also have plans to introduce a Futsol and a Pickle Ball court which can help the club gain revenues in future. Reformation of a major part of the membership gallery will be made according to the manifesto. Significantly, Dutta at a press conference at the Calcutta Sports Journalists Club on Thursday has vowed saying, “I will not contest in the forthcoming election if Swapan Sadhan Bose (Tutu) contests for the General Secretary’s post in the election.”
Vaibhav Suryavanshi gets call from Team India for England tour after IPL heroics
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced Team India’s Under 19 squad for the upcoming England tour. The teams will face each other in a 50-over warm-up match, followed by a five-match Youth One-Day seriesandtwo Multi-Day matches, scheduled fromJune 24 to July 23, 2025. Vaibhav Suryabangshi who came into the limelight after smashing a century in his Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, also made cut to the team.Ayush Mhatre who showcased an impressive performance for the Chennai Super Kings has been named as the captain. Abhigyan Kundu is named a vice-captain. “The Junior Cricket Committee has picked India’s U19 for the upcoming tour of England,” BCCI announced in a release. Significantly, Vaibhav’s mobile phone found nearly 500 ‘missed calls’ as he switched off his phone for the last five days. He said, “I have been preparing for 3-4 years. And I saw the results too. Whatever was missing, I was able to work on it. All the things that once looked tough, became easy. I have realized that it’s important to stay focused. There’s no such thing as a natural game. You only have to play according to what the team needs. And not try to do too many extra things at this level. I have to stay in my strong zone and make the team win,” he said. Vaibhav also revealed, “I received over 500 missed calls, but I had kept my phone switched off. A lot of people were approaching him after I scored the century. But I don’t like having too many people. I try to stay away. I had kept my phone off for 4 days; I told you that. I like to be around my people at home and a few friends.” However, Rajasthan Royals chief coach Rahul Dravid has warned the team’s sensational find-out that he will have to go under intense scrutiny before the next IPL, especially by the opposition bowlers. So, according to Dravid, touring England should give Vaibhav valuable learning.
Far from tennis, Nadal now spends time with family and academy
For the first time, the French Open is going to begin in post-Rafael Nadal era. While Roland-Garros turns the page on a golden era, the 14-time winner says he has no regret leaving the stage behind. The Spaniard, who officially retired in November 2024, told French sports daily L’Equipe that he no longer misses competing and is enjoying a normal, pain-free life after years of battling chronic injuries. He now divides his time between family life, his academy, and new projects. Nadal says he’s relishing the freedom of life without the rigid demands of the tour and has no regrets about how his career unfolded. “I’ve had a wonderful life beyond the courts,” he said. “Tennis was a huge part of it, but it was never everything.”He added, “I don’t miss playing. I knew I had reached my limit.” This year’s tournament is the first of the post-Nadal era, a symbolic shift for an event so long synonymous with his name. As the next generation of contenders prepares to stake its claim on the clay, Nadal is watching from afar, embracing life beyond the tour. However, Nadal singled out world number one Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz as the current leaders of the men’s game, while also highlighting Holger Rune, Jack Draper, and Jakub Mensik as emerging talents. Looking back, Nadal said his proudest achievement was not his record haul of trophies, but his ability to preserve his enthusiasm and values through years of grueling competition and injury setbacks.
Mukesh Kumar fined for breaching IPL Code of Conduct in Wednesday’s match
Delhi Capitals fast bowler Mukesh Kumar was fined 10 per cent of his match fee and given one demerit point for breaching IPL Code of Conduct during the match against Mumbai Indians on Wednesday. Mukesh was punished for a Level-1 offence under Article 2.2 of the Code, which pertains to the abuse of cricket equipment or ground fixtures. “Mukesh Kumar admitted to the Level 1 offence under Article 2.2 (Abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during a Match) and accepted the Match Referee’s sanction,” the IPL said in a release. “For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee’s decision is final and binding.” Mukesh had a forgettable evening with the ball on Wednesday, also conceding five fours and three sixes in his spell of 2 for 48 in four overs. He also conceded 27 runs in the 19th over of the first innings as Suryakumar Yadav and Naman Dhir eventually lifted MI to a match-winning score of 180. The over consumed 6, 1, 4, 6, 6, and 4 runs. This season, Mukesh has featured in 11 of DC’s 13 fixtures so far, taking 11 wickets at an average of 32.63 and economy of 10.11.
Ruben Amorim will not quit, but ready to walk away without compensation if the board does not want him!
Amorim made a sharp declaration at the end of his post-match press conference following Bilbao’s 1-0 defeat. Amorim had begun his post-match assessment with a simple statement: “I am not going to talk about the future.” But he did exactly that after being asked what words of comfort he could offer supporters after such a desperate season. “I have nothing to show the fans,” he said. “So, in this moment, it is a little bit of faith. “Let’s see. I am always open. If the board and fans feel I am not the right guy, I will go in the next day without any conversation about compensation. “But I will not quit. I am really confident in my job. And as you see, I will not change anything in the way I do things,” Amorim asserted. United are 16th in the table with one league game remaining, against Aston Villa on Sunday. An emotional Amorim told reporters after the game that he would stick to his guns despite a terrible run of results since he took over from the sacked Erik ten Hag in November. The former Sporting Lisbon boss, who has won just six Premier League games at United, said he still believed in his ability to turn things around at Old Trafford but would walk if he was no longer wanted.
