![Kalighat MS introduces man-of-the-match award to reduce footballers' masala-match participation](https://parallelsports.in/images/upload/cover/1690446779.jpg)
Kalighat MS which is still unbeaten in the ongoing CFL Premier Division so far has also plans to resume youth development programs.
In a bid to restrict the team's footballers from participating in the masala-matches, Kalighat MS has introduced man-of-the-match awards for its footballers this season. The respective footballer selected as the best player of the match by the club will also receive Rs 2 thousand after the match. On Wednesday, the club gave this award to Kaustav Dutta for his consistent show against Mohun Bagan.
Club president Ajit Banerjee commenting on the issue said, "The amount for the man-of-the-match is low as our club is not financially strong. Still, we have introduced it to motivate the footballers and to reduce their participation in the masala matches and we also are noticing its positive impact."
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Nearly eight to 10 footballers of Kalighat MS were seen often earning from several 'masala-matches' till last year. But according to the team's coach Patam Thapa, participation in the number of masala matches has noticeably reduced this season.
Thapa said, "We have set some rules which must be followed by the footballers. The club will deduct from their salary if the footballers take part in the masala matches. Each footballer has to go through a test through a breathing analyzer mask two days before the match which will indicate whether any of the footballers had taken alcohol."
In a bid to strengthen the team's forward and midfield, the club has brought two outstation footballers, one is Manipuri striker and the other is a wing-half.
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Kalighat MS which is still unbeaten in the ongoing CFL Premier Division so far has also plans to resume youth development programs. Under former India international Shyamal Banerjee's guidance, the club organized coaching camps with under-14 and under-17 boys at Gitanjali Stadium a few years ago.
The president revealed, "We had a constructive youth development program a couple of years ago. Abhijit Sarkar was the product of our youth development program. He was on the national team for the under-17 World Cup in 2017. We had to stop the program due to a financial crisis. But now we started planning again to resume the program and this time, it might take place in Bengal's one remote village and the quality youngsters from the remotest places of the state will be given preference in scouting."
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Along with football, Kalighat MS has also basketball and volleyball teams, and they are affiliated to the respective state associations.
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