The implementation of the ‘representation clause’ will detach AIFF from the initiatives for grass-roots development, says IFA secretary
Sudeep Pakrashi: The All India Football Federation’s state units have refused to accept the contentious ‘representation clause’ that was up for adoption under the Supreme Court’s directive. Indian Football Association (IFA) is one of the state associations that has already sent a reply to the AIFF letter, mentioning that the implementation of Article 25.3 (d) will detach the All India Football Federation (AIFF) from its initiatives for the development of grassroots football across the country. IFA secretary Anirban Dutta, when asked about the issue, said, “If the new rule is implemented for the post of office-bearers, then I have no objection. I agree that an office-bearer cannot hold chairs in both the state association and simultaneously in the AIFF. But, if the law is applied to the post of the executive committee, then I have an objection, and we have sent a reply explaining the disadvantages.” Dutta explained, “You have to understand the most important aspect that the executive committee does not execute policies. The members work as advisors, and they are the representatives of their respective state associations who are involved in everyday affairs in football in their states. They gain the knowledge of what to do for the development and how to do it. They have the knowledge about how football, especially the youth development programs, are going on in their respective states, and the need to develop them further. So, in an executive committee meeting, those state association representatives get the opportunity to share their activities, and the requirements for the progress of the game.” He continued, “Now, if you remove the state association representatives from AIFF’s executive committee, then AIFF will be completely detached from the mainstream football, especially from the development programs of the game.” Article 25.3 (d) states: “In the event that a person is elected as an Office-Bearer in a Member Association and holds a position of an Office-Bearer in the Executive Committee of the AIFF, he/she shall automatically be deemed to have vacated his/her position in the Member Association.” However, when asked whether IFA has plans to seek any help for the development of football in Bengal from legendary Lothar Matthaus, the ambassador of the forthcoming Bengal Super League (BSL), Dutta revealed, “We did not have time for any such discussion on Sunday regarding the matter. But I was highly impressed by his one key advice, ‘training the trainers’ for the ultimate progress of the game. I feel Indian football does not have adequate quality coaches’ educators. So, I have a desire to discuss about the coaches’ training programs with Matthaus when he comes to Kolkata in December, likely.”
East Bengal start in style in the AFC Women’s Champions League
East Bengal started their campaign in the AFC Women’s Champions League (AFC WCL) in style, trouncing Iran’s Bam Khatoon in Wuhan, China, on Monday. Shilky Hemam, Fazila Ikwaput, and Resty Nanziri scored to give the Red and Golds a crucial opening victory. The match started brightly for East Bengal. In the fourth minute, Hemam struck from the edge of the box after Ikwaput’s efforts were blocked. The early breakthrough allowed the Indian side to control possession and dictate the tempo. Bam Khatoon responded with long-range attempts from Sara Didar and Fatemeh Geraeli, but they failed to trouble goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu. East Bengal doubled its lead in the 32nd minute when Amnah Nababi delivered a precise pass to Ikwaput, who calmly finished past Raha Yazdani. Just before halftime, Bam Khatoon pulled one back through Mona Hamoudi’s penalty after a Jyoti Chouhan handball. The Iranian side showed more intent in the second half, but their efforts from distance lacked conviction. East Bengal regained control late in the game. Ikwaput hit the post in the 79th minute and forced Yazdani into a save soon after. Nanziri sealed the result in the 87th minute with a stunning long-range strike that dipped over the goalkeeper. Coach Anthony Andrews will now prepare his side for the next Group B fixtures against China’s Wuhan Jiangda on November 20 and Uzbekistan’s Nasaf on November 23. With the top two teams qualifying directly for the quarterfinals, East Bengal’s strong start boosts its chances of progressing further in the competition.
India to train in Kolkata on Tuesday, leave for Guwahati without Shubman Gill on Wednesday
The Indian cricket team will have its first training session on Tuesday at the Eden Gardens after the defeat at the hands of South Africa in the first Test. The hosts, who were without the services of team captain Shubman Gill for 3 innings, were handed a 30-run defeat by South Africa, ending their unbeaten streak in Tests in Kolkata. The 2nd Test will be played in Guwahati from 22nd November onwards. According to ESPNCricinfo reports, Team India will have a training session at the Eden Gardens on Tuesday. Following that, the team will travel to Guwahati on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Gill – who was discharged from the hospital on Sunday evening – will neither be part of the training session nor travel with the team. The report suggests that since commercial air travel is not recommended for people with neck issues, Gill is unlikely to travel with the team on the same day. After facing just 3 deliveries in the 1st innings, Gill was forced to retire hurt following a sweep shot. The BCCI later said in a statement that he had suffered a neck spasm and was ruled out for the remainder of the 1st Test. Subsequently, the Indian captain was admitted to a hospital and was closely monitored by Dr Dinesh Pardiwala. “Captain Shubman Gill had a neck injury on the second day of the Test against South Africa in Kolkata. He was taken to the hospital for examination after the end of the day’s play. He is currently under observation in the hospital. He will take no further part in the Test match. He will continue to be monitored by the BCCI medical team,”BCCI had said in a statement on 16th November.
Norway in World Cup finals after 27 years: Trounce Italy 4-1 in the all-important qualifier
Erling Haaland, ‘the man with golden feet’, steered his country to the finals of the 2026 World Cup after a gap of 27 long years! Norway qualified for the World Cup finals 2026 on Sunday, drubbing Italy 4-1 in its final qualifier, leaving the host in deep trouble to push them into the playoffs, which it has missed out on in the last two editions of the tournament. Norway ended qualifying with eight wins, finishing six points ahead of four-time World Cup winner Italy, which will compete in the playoffs for the third consecutive time. Needing a nine-goal win because of Norway’s superior goal difference, the Italians started aggressively and scored first when Francesco Pio Esposito finished from close range just after the 10-minute mark. The host was dominant until the last minutes of the first half and went close to a second goal several times, with Norway having only a half-chance when a shot from Antonio Nusa went over the bar. However, it was a completely different Norway in the second half, and Nusa equalized in the 63rd minute with a left-foot finish from inside the box. With Norway in control in the closing stages, Italy paid the price for leaving Haaland unmarked in the box in the 78th minute as he met a cross and volleyed home with ease. Haaland then wrapped up the match with a second goal a minute later, taking his tally for the campaign to 16. Jorgen Strand Larsen scored the fourth in stoppage time for the visitors, who showed they would be no pushovers at next year’s tournament.
