Kalyan Chaubey reveals AIFF’s effort to build up a strong national team with OCI footballers; India to bid for the 2031 Asian Cup
The AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, at a scheduled media conference in New Delhi on Friday, announced that the process to integrate OCI players into the fold is underway, with the Federation already having scouted players for the same. Chaubey revealed that AIFF, as per the FIFA statutes and the respective laws of the land, is now actively in the process of recognizing and recruiting OCI players to come and represent the country in the national team. He confirmed that the AIFF is in contact with 33 players eligible for OCI cards. “The AIFF is in communication with 33 players who fall into the category of OCI. Some of them have received their OCI cards, and others are in the process of attaining the same, with the assistance of the AIFF,” he said. But at the same time AIFF president divulged saying, “Even if we make a list of 300 OCI players, we cannot go any further unless the green light is given.” The AIFF president also spoke about a few other important issues related to the national football team. Here are the excerpts: Need of Indian Strikers “We are trying to get a World Cup-winning striker to come and help us. Our plans will be to identify 4-5 good strikers from the U-23 and train under him for some days, like practice their shooting skills and hone their goal-scoring instincts. Indian footballers’ in ISL: “Our main area of focus is the lack of goal scoring and the shortage of strikers. Anyone in Indian football will agree that is our major problem. One possible measure could be to allow fewer foreigners and thus give more space to Indian strikers in our top-tier domestic league. But I cannot say anything about reducing the number of foreigners in the domestic league. It is the stakeholders’ decision, but in the interest of the national team, if they decide to give more time to Indian positive strikers, I will be happy to accommodate.” On Bhaichung Bhutia and his allegations “There are 3-4 people who are running this petition. Either they have been a part of the federation or have lost in the election against my regime, I have been alleged, and my family has been alleged, but as I said, I only speak facts and numbers. “He [Bhaichung Bhutia] is a respectable player for the Indian football team and one of the best strikers to play for the team. He has been an advisor to AIFF, drawing a remuneration of 1.5 lakhs and all his necessities and expenses taken care of. He is a part of the AIFF Executive Committee and has attended 11 EC meetings, where he could have called out the ‘corruption’; the minutes of the meeting are available and can be watched. What we did in the last two-and-half years: “We are planning for 10 years ahead. We should not look at what is happening immediately. We should focus on the 10-year plan we are working on. While the country is bidding for the 2036 Olympics, we are also trying for the 2031 AFC Asian Cup. Blaming is the easiest way but it exposes the weakness in your character.” AIFF –FIFA Academy boys and their performance “The boys of AIFF FIFA Academy which was launched in November 2023, took at least 7 months to reach 30 boys from 5400 players. The players started playing in January 2025, under FIFA coaches. These U-14 players from the academy started training in July 2024 and played their first match on February 6, beating U-17 Inter Kashi boys 5-0, Jamshedpur boys 7-0, and Odisha FC 8-1. On 18th May, they played MBSG U-17 boys and won 5-0. Additionally, a team of Arsene Wenger is assisting us frequently to improve grassroots, and we are grateful to him for the way he looks after India.” Manolo Marquez’s future “Manolo Marquez is a highly rated coach and has a good understanding of Indian football and the players. However, in the past few days, I have received several calls on whether the coach will continue or not. We will take a call on the issue in our next executive committee meeting on 29th June.
Lal Kamal accepts the challenge; Experienced Rafique can bolster his strength
Sudeep Pakrashi: Lal Kamal Bhowmick, the former India international and presently a licensed coach is accepting the challenge of his maiden innings as the full-time coach of Bengal’s premier football team, United Sports Club this season. Bhowmick had begun coaching with Pathachakra United, another team of United SC last season in the CFL Premier Division. But, despite the obstacles, Bhowmick sounded optimistic about his establishment as a coach in the Bengal football fraternity while speaking to Parallel Sports recently. With only two weeks left for the commencement of the CFL Premier Division this season, Bhowmick explained, “We could not get enough time for the preparation. Additionally, some of our key footballers who played second division I-League last season could be missing as they have joined their respective offices recently. Still, I am hopeful that the footballers who will be seen in action will deliver their best to maintain the brand value of United SC and their effort will ultimately help me to establish as a coach in future.” United SC will surely miss Tarak Hembram, the central midfielder in the CFL this season as he is an employee of Railway and he will be seen in action for Railway FC in the CFL this season. So, in a bid to fill up his absence, the club will have experienced midfielder and striker Mohammed Rafique in the CFL this season. Coach opined, “His joining will surely give us confidence. His experience will motivate the team’s other footballers to deliver their best also.” Rafique who started his professional career with United SC in 2010 joined Chennaiyin FC in 2022. But due to an injury, he could play only in two matches for the team. Then he left the franchise team in 2024 and joined Diamond Harbour FC although not being able to recover from the injury fully. The 34-year-old midfielder finally, having recovered from injury has decided to play for his old team in the CFL this season. Nabab claimed, “Sixteen footballers from our team have got employment recently. Except for Tarak and Sanjib Mondol, we will have all others in the CFL. Additionally, Rafique’s joining must strengthen the side. The significant part is that most of our opposition teams in the CFL this season have made formidable investments to make strong teams where we are in a disadvantageous position. Still, I am hopeful that under Lal Kamal’s tutelage team will deliver an impressive show.” United SC will start their campaign in the CFL this season against Aryan FC.
Extraordinary ‘Serial winner’ Duplantis dominates at Oslo Diamond League again
Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis dominated the men’s pole vault at the Diamond League meet in Oslo on Thursday in another stellar display. “I am delighted,” said Duplantis after winning with a new meet record of 6.15 meters. “To get a stadium record here was in my plans after a few visits here with difficult conditions. “It was great to get the right conditions tonight finally.” The US-born Swede remains head and shoulders above the rest, having bettered his world record to 6.27m in February on the back of a 2024 season when he not only won Olympic gold but also broke the world record three times. Duplantis has also registered the 11 highest jumps in the history of the sport, improving the world record one centimeter at a time from 6.17 to 6.27. He is the undisputed king of the event and was also named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year for 2024. Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt is the only track and field athlete to have previously won the award. Duplantis has now competed in 40 Diamond League meetings since 2020 and lost only four times, making him one of the series’ most extraordinary serial winners.
