Mohun Bagan Super Giants concede defeat in CFL opener; make the fans violent!
Mohun Bagan Super Giants (MBSG) started their campaign in the CFL Premier Division League with a defeat against Police AC at Naihati Stadium on Monday. Amil Naim struck the winner for Police AC just before break. Amin has joined Police AC from Kalighat MS this season. The elated striker dedicated his goal to the team’s footballers and coach Joseph Naik. However, the MBSG supporters turned violent after the end of the match. They were seen throwing bottles and abusing the footballers in the tunnel. MBSG had to play without the service of Suhail Bhat and Dipendu Biswas on the day. Still, they had experienced players who were off color on the day as Police AC dominated almost throughout the match. Mohun Bagan coach Degi Cardojo, however, admitted that the boys’ performance was not up to the mark. But at the same time, he stated that this team, which took part on the day, is a part of the club’s youth development program. In other CFL Premier Division League matches on the day, New Alipore Suruchi Sangha humbled Kalighat MS 4-0, Mamoni Pathachakra defeated Kalighat Sports Lovers Association by a brace, and George Telegraph edged past Behala BSS 3-2.
Chennai Bulls Clinch the Inaugural RPL Title
In a historic moment for Indian rugby, Chennai Bulls clinched the title of the inaugural Rugby Premier League (RPL), thrashing Delhi Reds 41-0 in a one-sided final held at the Mumbai Football Arena yesterday. This tournament marked a significant milestone as India’s first ever professional rugby league, held over 15 intense days. The event not only showcased local talent but also provided Indian players the rare opportunity to share the field and dressing room with several world-class international rugby stars. A major share of the credit goes to Rugby India chief Rahul Basu, whose relentless efforts made this league possible. Rugby, though immensely popular in countries like Sri Lanka, still struggles to find its footing in much of Asia, including India. With the Indian men’s team currently ranked 86th and the women’s team placed 52nd in the world, the need for exposure and high level competition was crucial. The Rugby Premier League has now opened new doors for the sport in the country, offering fans a glimpse of the speed, strength, and spirit of rugby at a professional level.
A unique initiative from 1 Ladakh FC: The first-ever ‘Football-Under-the-Stars’ likely to come up this year!
Sudeep Pakrashi: Hanle is historic and popular for being the home of the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO)-the third-highest optical observatory in the world. The valley in the Changthang district of Ladakh, which is nearly 15,000 feet above sea level, is going to witness a surprise this year that will add to its attractiveness. 1 Ladakh FC, the only professional football club in Ladakh, is in the process of organizing a two-day football tournament in Hanle, and the uniqueness of the competition is that it will happen under a full moon, with no floodlights to be used! The competition has been named ‘Football-Under-the-stars’. A football tournament under the full moon is not generally seen. Only futsal football tournaments in the Maldives and Hong Kong under the full moon are held, and this will be the third football tournament in the world under the stars. According to plans so far, 1 Ladakh FC is trying to rope in four teams from outside the country for the tournament, which will be a seven-a-side competition at the Indian army’s ground in Hanle. Tsering Angmo, the club’s director, when contacted to know about the tournament, revealed, “During the Climate Cup football knock-out competition last year, a climate-summit also took place in Ladakh. A few people associated with a few teams from England were present at the summit. During the summit, we thought of introducing the ‘Football-under-the Stars’ tournament. But hosting a competition at Hanle is tough due to its altitude. We are grateful to the Indian Army for their infrastructural support, and the Ladakh Football Association (LFA) also. Efforts are on to stage the tournament in July-August.” Meanwhile, LFA is the country’s first state football association, which is likely to make an official association with Bengaluru FC. Angmo, also the secretary of LFA, explained, “The tie-up has not yet been made. But talks are on. The tie-up will be on the grass-route development program. Due to the extreme cold in Ladakh, we do not get the full season to run our training program. That is the key reason behind our initiative to join hands with Bengaluru FC. Once it is materialized, our kids will be able to undergo a long-term training program in Bengaluru, under the club’s youth development coaches.” However, the four-team Climate Cup in Ladakh is likely to see the addition of two more outstation teams participating in the knock-out tournament this year. Bengaluru FC and Inter Kashi have already confirmed their participation in the Climate Cup.
