Aditya Group initiates empowering ‘women’ by introducing a football team to show them the ‘lights in life’!
Sudeep Pakrashi: The company has been contributing to the empowerment of women silently for the last four years. They choose four to five villages across the region of Purulia and Asansol, the popular industrial town of West Bardhaman to fulfill the basic needs of those girls and their families who have been struggling with dire financial distress and as its reflection, plagued by malnutrition. They have been provided education, food, and amenities to fulfill their extra-curricular activities like dancing, singing, etc. Simultaneously, among those girls, five were seen playing football. Today, after four years, under the tutelage of that company, Aditya Group, the girls have started dreaming of building up their careers being professional footballers in the future. The number that was five four years ago, has now increased to more than 70! The company has already been running a professional men’s football team and a residential football school as a part of its youth development program. Now it has built up an able infrastructure at Kalla, Asansol to run a systematic training of 70 girls, aged mostly below 18 under three coaches (two men and one female). The company has obviously an aim to take part in women’s competitions like the Kanyasree Cup, and then IWL, which can be a part of their future development program. Even plans are there to bring potential female footballers to the company’s hostel for advanced training facilities. But more than that, Aditya Group wants to create opportunities for those girls where they can earn employment through football. This effort will help the company to win a major battle as initially it was difficult to bring the girls from their impoverished families to play football. Sudip Mukherjee, General Manager, Operations of the company revealed, “We had to face stiff social obstacles initially to bring the girls to play football. Still, in those backward villages, the parents force their daughters to get married at the age of only 12-13 years. Today, we are happy, watching more than 70 girls passionately playing the game. If we can create employment opportunities for them then the parents will also stop thinking of forcing them into the marriage.” The girls’ team, named Bengal Tigress were recently in their jersey-unveiling program and significantly, they were highly inspired by the presence of the coach and footballers of the men’s team ASOS Rainbow. Debjit Ghosh, the coach ASOS Rainbow and footballers like CS Sabith had visited the girls’ raining program at Kalla. Anirban Aditya, Chairman of Aditya Group said; “Having been around extremely powerful women in my life, I know for a fact that true growth cannot happen until both men and women are given equal opportunities; which is why I have decided to start a women’s football team and our association with the Bengal Tigress is the first step in that direction.”
Country’s youngest Pro-license coach returns to Kolkata after five years; Praises UKSC’s vision
Sudeep Pakrashi: Yan Law had offers from a few other prominent clubs for this season. Still, the 32-year-old youngest A-licensed football coach who was with Delhi FC last season decided to return to Kolkata after five years, mainly because of the CFL Premier League and simultaneously, due to the long-term development program United Kolkata Sports Club (UKSC) management revealed to him. Yan left Kolkata after guiding Mohammedan Sporting in 2020. While speaking to Parallel Sports, the coach explained, “I have been part of different state leagues across the country. Even I worked as a coach in the Leagues in Nepal and Bhutan. Kolkata Premier League has been the most challenging.” He continued, “When I left Kolkata, I was only 27 years old. Now I am more mature and learned a lot of things in the last five years. So, working with a debutant in the CFL Premier Division will be a challenge for me also to re-establish myself as a coach in Kolkata.” Despite being a debutant in the CFL Premier Division this season, UKSC won the CFL First Division in their introductory season last year and has built up a formidable side to compete in the League. Former Indian international footballers like Nongdamba Naorem, and Narayan Das, then experienced footballers like Prgyan Gogoi, Amit Tudu, Abhilas Pal, and Tuhin Sikdar have been roped in. But that was not the key reason behind Yan Law’s joining the team. Rather he has been impressed by the club’s passion and vision for the future development of the game. “The club has built up modern infrastructure. The footballers are not only receiving worthy amounts of payments but they have been provided proper amenities and facilities. Second and the most important thing I found was the club’s long-term vision for the future development program through introducing the academy. It is another major reason behind deciding to return to Kolkata, added Law.
Barcelona wonder-kid Lamine Yamal confirms he has no ‘steady relationship’ with Fati Vazquez!
Barcelona’s 17-year-old wonder-kid is enjoying a well-earned vacation after starring in the club’s incredible 2024-25 campaign, where the Catalan giants won a domestic treble. Last week, his vacation made waves on social media as the teenager was reported to have been spending time with 29-year-old ‘Only Fans’ model Fati Vazquez. At the same time, there were rumors about the duo being romantically involved, both Yamal and Vazquez the speculation. Amid continued speculation over the teenager’s romantic life, the Blaugrana star has now cleared the air by disclosing his relationship status. After catching up with Neymar in Brazil, Yamal shared a post on Instagram and wrote in the caption: “Single and happy, this is Brazil!!!” Following the rumors about a possible link between the two stars, Vazquez has claimed she received death threats from fans on social media. She has opened up about the abuse received and even threatened to take legal action if the threats continue. The Spanish sensation will turn 18 next month but still has more time off before he is due back to Barcelona for the start of pre-season. The Catalan giants return to action in July and are expected to make a trip to Asia on a pre-season training and competitions.
