New AIFF Technical, Coaching & Development Committee formed, Baichung as chairman

A few weeks ago it was reported that former India captain Baichung Bhutia has been given the role of chairman of the AIFF Technical, Coaching & Development Committee by the national federation; a body which has been defunct for a number of years.

Baichung Bhutia has replaced former AIFF vice-president C.R. Viswanathan as the committee's chairman, while former Goa Football Association secretary Savio Messias has been appointed vice-chairman of the AIFF Technical, Coaching & Development Committee.

Other members of the committee are former Indian international footballers Parminder Singh, Prasun Banerjee and Henry Menezes along with official Lalnghinglova Hmar of Mizoram.

The new AIFF Technical, Coaching & Development Committee has been appointed for a term from 2013 to 2016.

Bollywood's Ranbir Kapoor new United Sikkim FC brand ambassador

On the sidelines of a Bollywood Stars vs Cricketers charity match in New Delhi, Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor was named as the new brand ambassador of struggling I-League side United Sikkim FC.

Ranbir will be supporting and helping the club and if things work out, then he could be coming to Gangtok to watch a United Sikkim match soon.

Ranbir's message for United Sikkim players, "To all the players in United Sikkim, all the best. You guys have a great leader in Baichung and I hope you guys take it up!"

"It is a great honour for United Sikkim to have Ranbir as our brand ambassador. He has millions of fans and we hope that his fans would also follow United Sikkim," said USFC CEO and Baichung Bhutia.

The Bollywood connection with United Sikkim FC already exists with Neha Dhupia, John Abraham and Rahul Bose being supporters and well-wishers of the club due to their close friendship with ex-India captain Baichung Bhutia.

VIDEO: Baichung Bhutia suggests - Eat healthy stay healthy!

Ex-India captain Baichung Bhutia was in Kolkata to give football lessons to school children. Baichung feels sports is the best way to stay fit and healthy. He also backs the City of Joy to win the NDTV/Nirmal Marks for Sports - Fittest City Contest.

VIDEO - NDTV: Baichung's Kolkata trains hard to claim Fittest City Contest award

Ex-India captain Baichung Bhutia and current international Gouramangi Singh train Kolkata footballers hard and say their experience will give them a bonus and help them claim the Fittest City Contest award in the NDTV/Nirmal Marks for Sports campaign.

VIDEO: Wim Koevermans press conference in Trivandrum

Indian national football team coach Wim Koevermans at a press conference in the Kerala state capital Thiruvananthapuram about Baichung Bhutia being part of the technical committee, Rob Baan's Lakshya Youth Development plans and the cooperation with the I-League clubs.

Baichung Bhutia launches BB15 Fitness Studio in Gangtok!

Former Indian football captain Baichung Bhutia has launched his first own fitness studio - BB15 Fitness Studio in the Sikkimese capital Gangtok. It is a first of its kind in India's North-East.

Baichung said, "Fitness has always been a part of my life and with the start of BB15 Fitness Studio, I want people to start taking care of their health and enjoy fitness."

Baichung went on to say, "I have brought in for BB15 Fitness Studio, State of the Art equipment from Technogym to give the very best to people here. And I wish to bring BB15 Fitness studios to other towns and cities across India very soon," Baichung added.

This is another new chapter for Baichung Bhutia and one can only wish him all the best!

United Sikkim FC on training visit to Bhutan

A 23-member United Sikkim FC squad on Wednesday, February 27 proceeded for a 10-day camp at Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan. The squad consists of 19 players and four officials including head coach Nathan Hall.

I-League side United Sikkim FC would be playing three friendly matches at Thimpu organized by the Bhutan Football Federation. All three matches are against local Bhutanese club sides at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimpu.

USFC on March 2 take on Drukpol FC, play on March 5 against Zimdra FC and then finally take on Yeedzin FC on March 7.

United Sikkim CEO and co-owner Baichung Bhutia is joining the team at Thimpu on March 6 for the final game.

Besides Nathan Hall the USFC officials travelling with the team are senior manager Arjun Rai, physio Sheril Lepcha and masseur Ranjit Das.

The travelling USFC players are Monotosh Ghosh, Rakshit Kumar, Pawan Chettri, Anwar, Sandesh Jhingan, Ashish Chettri, Sonam Zangpo Bhutia, Munmun Timoty Lugun, Sahenshah Ansari, Syed Farid, Nima Tamang, Nim Tshering Lepcha, Thupden Tshering Bhutia, Linekar Machado, Mashangva Genius Zenith, Nadong Bhutia, Jiten Rai, Sagar Rai, Pablo Rodriquez Aracil.

VIDEO: Baichung Bhutia & Nirmal Lifestyle launch University Football League!

Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools and Nirmal Lifestyle have come together to announce the launch of India's first-ever University Football League in Mumbai on Friday. Here the NDTV interview with the organisers of the UFL!

PHOTOs: Indian Voting for FIFA/FIFPro World XI!

Indian footballers and foreigners playing professionally in India registered with the Football Players Association of India (FPAI) have started to cast their votes for the FIFA FIFPro World XI! Here some snaps of Baichung Bhutia reading about the voting procedure besides Gouramangi Singh, Nirmal Chettri, Syed Rahim Nabi and Tolgay Ozbey casting their votes.

United Sikkim FC announce Federation Cup squad

Promoted I-League side United Sikkim FC have named their final 20 players squad ahead of their debut in the final round of the Federation Cup in which the Northeast side have been drawn in Group D alongside defending champions Salgaocar SC, Prayag United SC and Pune FC which will have its matches in Jamshedpur.

USFC open their campaign against Pune FC (September 20), then face title holders Salgaocar SC (September 22) and play their final group game against Prayag United SC (September 24).

For United Sikkim FC's young squad under coach Philippe de Ridder the Federation Cup is a good test to see where the team stands ahead of the start of the I-League next month. The squad includes co-owner Baichung Bhutia, who will be seen in action in the Fed Cup for his side.


UNITED SIKKIM FC

Goalkeepers
Yoon Tae, Monotosh Ghosh

Defenders
Mashangva Genius Zenith, Munmun Timothy Lugun, Anwar, Míchael Steven Rodríguez Gutiérrez, Sandesh Jhinjan, Rahul Jaiswal, Mobin Rai

Midfielders
Nim Tshering Lepcha, Ashish Chettri, Sogan Kokou, Shahensha Ansari, Raju Debnath, Lineker Machado, Shabbir Ali

Forwards
Baichung Bhutia, Budhiram Tudu, Tenzing Tsephel Bhutia, Nima Tamang

Officials
Phillippe de Ridder (Chief Coach), Syed Altafuddin Ahmed (Manager), Miss Sheril Lepcha (Physio), Ranjit Das (Masseur)

Team India: Baichung visits dressing room, Koevermans' Thank you!

India started their 2012 Nehru Cup campaign with a 2-1 victory against Syria at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium last night. Post-match the squad received a visitor in the dressing room, who as recently as January 2012 in his farewell match against Bayern Munich had led Team India onto the field - Baichung Bhutia.

Still it is an unfamiliar sight to see Team India play and Baichung Bhutia sitting in the VVIP gallery in a formal suit instead of being on the field with his football gear, but time moves on and a new Team India is currently in the making without Baichung, Mahesh, Deepak, Samir, Climax, Renedy and many more...

Baichung after the match took the stairs down to the dressing room to congratulate Sunil Chhetri and his team. The ice-bath was on by then; some hadn't even freshened themselves up. Caring little for his formal suit, Baichung embraced all one by one. The gesture touched everyone. After all, that's what separates the man from others. Bhai is still a player at heart.

The second gentleman was also in a formal suit, but on Wednesday, Wim Koevermans stepped into the Team India Dressing Room for the first time ahead of an official match. Post-match Koevermans is no more the visitor but an integral part of the Dressing Room. In fact, he is the 'Dressing Room'.

With Syria conquered almost an hour back, the ice bath completed, the post-match press conference done and even the customary prayer, Wim Koevermans took a forward step. "Before we leave, I want to say something to you all," Koevermans uttered. The boys looked up.

Three seconds of pin drop silence. "Thank You!" Koevermans broke it. The clapping was spontaneous and loud. It had to be. The boys left the dressing room and walked towards the Team Bus – an old path but a new walk.

Many new faces, a new coach stressing on a new style which promises much and a strong camaraderie among all – this is a new-age Indian Football Team.

Back at the Dressing Room, Baichung and Koevermans had shook hands – both appreciated the other. "I'm proud of my boys. They adjusted fast and implemented the strategies on the field," Koevermans maintained. "It's hard to pick up any single individual as far as the Syria match is concerned. It was a team effort."

'Team Effort' stays the buzz in the Camp. "When you win, you cannot bask in the glory for long. In the same manner, when you have a bad Tournament, you ought to forget it fast and move on. Under Wim's guidance, we are taking that forward step," Captain Sunil Chhetri informs.

The broad grin on Wim Koevermans becomes broader. A visitor till the other day, the Dutch is at present the Indian 'Dressing Room'. The players are looking looking up to him with expectations.

A new chapter in Indian football was started yesterday and one hopes for many more such memorable evenings to come...

Sikkim United FC name squad for 2012/13 season

Newly promoted I-league side United Sikkim FC earlier today announced their squad for the 2012/13 season at a press conference in Kolkata.

"It's a new club with a young squad. Budget-wise we are nowhere near to Mohun Bagan or United SC. But we're very very confident. Our main aim is to remain in the I-League," said club co-owner Baichung Bhutia.

The squad has been put together by Belgian coach Philippe de Ridder, who was given a free hand by the owners to put together his own squad. De Ridder held trials across India to unearth new talent, which he now wants to develop at United Sikkim FC. The club have signed two foreigners, a Korean and Nigerian, so far and are still to fill their quota of four.

What will come as good news for his fans Baichung Bhutia will be registered as a player for USFC, which marks his return to the I-league not only as a co-owner but also a player as well.

A few weeks ago United Sikkim FC had announced the Kolkata-based URO Group as their title sponsors.


SIKKIM UNITED FC

Goalkeepers
Tae-Yoon (new), Monotosh Ghosh

Defenders
Anwar (Mohun Bagan AC), Harpreet Singh, Syed Farid, K. Romen Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Nim Tshering Lepcha, Rahul Jaiswal (new), Sanjeev Mali (new)

Midfielders
Hardip Singh Saini (new), Beingaichho Beokhokhai (East Bengal Club), Salau Nuruddin (Green Valley SC, Assam), Sheikh Shabbir Ali (Prayag United SC), Raju Debnath (new), Sahinsha Ansari, Nima Tamang (Sikkim Sports Academy), Thupden Bhutia (new), V. Lalthanpuia (new), Lineker Machado (Union Bank of India, Mumbai), Mashangva Genius Zenith (Shillong Lajong FC)

Forwards
Budhiram Tudu (East Bengal Club), Baichung Bhutia, Nadong Bhutia (new)

Reserve/Junior players
Mobin Rai (Sikkim Sports Academy), Gokul Oram (Samaleshwari FC, Orissa), Sagar Rai, Munmun T. Lugun, Jiten Rai, Mayal Dok Lepcha, Tenzing Tsephel Bhutia, Vikram Singh Gill

Officials
Philippe de Ridder (Head Coach), Arjun Rai (Manager)

India's Club vs Country reloaded

For a few summers the Club vs Country debate had not been held in the Indian off-season, but it now is back in 2012. India is set to play in the 2012 Nehru Cup from August 23 to September 2 with a camp called under new national coach Wim Koevermans from July 27 onwards.

The I-League clubs under the banner of the newly formed I-League Professional Football Clubs Association (IPFCA) are saying that they will release players from their pre-season preparations only two weeks ahead of the Nehru Cup as per FIFA guidelines for releasing of players for international tournaments.

On Sunday former captain Baichung Bhutia had something interesting to say on this matter in Kolkata, "We can not compare ourselves with the players in Germany, Spain and European nations as their two week-time is enough. But for Indians we know that we need more and more training to do well in any international tournament."

And Baichung went on to say, "All should also support newly appointed AIFF's senior coach Wim Koevermans as his experience would surely help Indian football!"

Before ending by saying, "I being a player and owner of a club must make some contribution to the football and being part of the national side is the best opportunity one should have for all round development of the game."

Baichung has a very valid point here which the I-League clubs simply cannot ignore. FIFA's international calendar is mainly intended for European football, then the FIFA match dates - qualifiers, friedlies and tournaments have to be in sync with UEFA and their competitions plus the country leagues across the continent.

Especially in Asia and Africa it is rather a problem, then the calendar would be a little different if there weren't all these global FIFA match dates on which national teams play. Or e.g. why are clubs in Europe always angry about the African Cup of Nations and the Asian Cup taking place in January, while many of their leagues are running.

One can only hope that sense prevails and the players are released on time, so Wim Koevermans can get his best squad together for his first assignment or India will suffer at the Nehru Cup, which it has won on the last couple of occasions.

AIFF Coaching Seminar kicks-off in Navi Mumbai

The first-ever AIFF Coaching Seminar kicked-off in Navi Mumbai today with 65 participants coming to listen to Technical Director Rob Baan, National Coach Wim Koevermans, Technical Director of the Regional and Elite Academies Scott O'Donell besides AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das and former India Captain Baichung Bhutia.

Amongst the 65 participants there are numerous former players around; players whom we all have adored over the years. There's Prasanta Banerjee, there's Godfrey Pereira, there's Tanumoy Basu, there's Khalid Jamil, there's Syed Sabir Pasha, there's Savio Medeira, there's Aqueel Ansari, there's Noushad Moosa… the list just seems to have no end.

The aim of the Seminar is to produce better coaches and players with a 'match related approach'.

AIFF Technical Director Rob Baan conducted the first session of the Seminar, his 'Vision to develop Indian Football'. That was followed by National Coach Wim Koevermans' session in the afternoon – 'What is Football?' while Baan’s practical session, 'Coaching, the Match related Approach,' stayed the last session of the day.

The India Under-17 National squad who trains at the Centre of Excellence in Goa and has come over to Navi Mumbai to take part in the practical sessions stayed Baan's wards as the Technical Director demonstrated the 'Match Related Approach' and had interactive sessions with the Coaches.

Earlier, AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das welcomed the guests and spoke on the ‘Long-term future of Indian Football', while guest speaker former India Captain Baichung Bhutia shared his experiences.

"It's imperative we all understand the future philosophy of Indian football," Das said. "The Seminar stays a significant step taken by our Technical Team as we need to look forward," he added.

"Coach Education stays perhaps the most significant aspect if we are to create an Indian style of play as we have intended," Baan stressed.

"To improve the standard of the football in the country, we need to select the best players. But prior to that, we need to train and groom them. We as Coaches stay responsible for that," O'Donell, who will be conducting both theoretical and practical sessions in the next four days, emphasized.

The theoretical sessions are being held at the Royal Orchid Hotel in Navi Mumbai while the practical sessions at the Father Agnel ground, where the first AIFF Regional Academy is based.

National Coach Wim Koevermans maintained the Seminar gives one an opportunity to 'express himself'.

"The next five-days are important. The philosophy needs to be understood by all," Koevermans, who was a part of the Dutch squad which win the 1988 European Cup, opined.

"Let's not stay stuck in the 60s and the 70s. Let's embrace the new concepts," Baichung commented. "From my experience, I have starved for the right kind of training for long. This initiative by AIFF is an excellent one. It's the right beginning," he added.


The list of participants

Godfrey Pereira, Noushad Moosa, Kundan Chandran, Shaikh Arshad Hussain, Abdul Azim Siddique, Nirvan Shah, Aqueel Ansari, Khalid Jamil, Raghuvir Pravin Khanolkar, Augusto D'Silva, Faruk Ahmed, Mohammed Yusuf Ansari (all Maharashtra); Birbal Singh, Ekendra Singh, Bitan Singh (all Manipur); R. Thyagraj, Stanley Rozario, Thomas Joseph, John Kenneth Raj, Mastan Ahmed, P. Muralidharan (all Karnataka), Prasanta Banerjee, Gautam Ghosh (both West Bengal), Parthasarathy Thulasi, Syed Sabir Pasha, C.M. Ranjith (all Tamil Nadu); S. Geevarghese, C.J. Charles, P.M. Saji, Biby Thomas, Satheevan Balan, Feroz Sheriff, Narayana Menon (all Kerala); William Koso (Nagaland); Maymol Rocky, Marcus Anthony Pachecho, Francisco Bruto da Costa, Jude Barreto, Savio Medeira, Mario Aguiar (all Goa), Tarun Roy, Anadi Baruah (both Delhi); Sajid Yusuf, Hilal Parray (both J&K); Surinder Singh (Chandigarh)

Coaches from Clubs/Academies: Tanumoy Basu (Pailan Arrows); Bino George (Chirag United Kerala), Arun Pratap (Chirag United Kerala Academy); Deepak (Kerala FA Academy); Sujay Sharma, Arata Izumi (both Pune FC); Ahmed Aslam Khan (SAI, Bangalore); Mathew D'Costa, Gavin Araujo (both Dempo); Augustine Antao, Joaquim Crasto (both Salgaocar); Suren Chhetri, Pranai Subba (both United Sikkim FC); Richard Hood (Tata Football Academy); Manoj Kumar (SEPT, Calicut); Pradyuman Reddy (Shillong Lajong FC); Sunil Chaudhury, Cetano Pinho (both ONGC); Ajit Braich (Canada)

AIFF Coaching Seminar to highlight on 'Match related' Coaching

A five-day Coaching Seminar organised by the All India Football Federation kicks-off in Navi Mumbai tomorrow. The Seminar, a first of its kind in India, will be conducted by AIFF Technical Director Rob Baan, National Coach Wim Koevermans and Scott O'Donell, Technical Director of the Regional and Elite Academies.

Colm Joseph Toal, Head Coach, Youth Development will also be expressing his views at the Seminar, while former India captain Baichung Bhutia will be a guest speaker as will be the AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das. Raymond Farrelly of Coach FX will also attend as a Guest Speaker.

65 Coaches from all over India including AIFF Contracted Coaches and Coaches from I-League Clubs have confirmed their participation. The Seminar intends to educate and produce better Coaches and players via "match related" coaching.

Baan feels it will be "nice to interact with so many Coaches in the Seminar."

"I look forward to receiving inputs from all of them," Baan added.

The opening day kicks-off with Kushal Das dishing out plans for the long term future of Indian football with Baan and Koevermans conducting sessions on 'Overall vision to improve Indian Football' and "What is football?," respectively while Bhutia stays the guest speaker. In the afternoon, Baan and O’Donell would also be conducting the theoretical session, 'Coaching, the match related approach.'

The theoretical sessions would be held at the Royal Orchid Hotel while the practical sessions will be conducted at the Father Agnel School ground where the first AIFF Regional Academy is located.


The list of participants

Godfrey Pereira, Noushad Moosa, Kundan Chandran, Shaikh Arshad Hussain, Abdul Azim Siddique, Nirvan Shah, Aqueel Ansari, Khalid Jamil, Raghuvir Pravin Khanolkar, Augusto D'Silva, Faruk Ahmed, Mohammed Yusuf Ansari (all Maharashtra); Birbal Singh, Ekendra Singh, Bitan Singh (all Manipur); R. Thyagraj, Stanley Rozario, Thomas Joseph, John Kenneth Raj, Mastan Ahmed, P. Muralidharan (all Karnataka), Prasanta Banerjee, Gautam Ghosh (both West Bengal), Parthasarathy Thulasi, Syed Sabir Pasha, CM Ranjith (all Tamil Nadu); S. Geevarghese, C.J. Charles, P.M. Saji, Biby Thomas, Satheevan Balan, Feroz Sheriff, Narayana Menon (all Kerala); William Koso (Nagaland); Maymol Rocky, Marcus Pachecho, Francisco Bruto da Costa, Jude Barreto, Savio Medeira, Mario Aguiar (all Goa), Tarun Roy, Anadi Baruah (both Delhi); Sajid Yusuf, Hilal Parray (both J&K); Surinder Singh (Chandigarh)

Coaches from Clubs/Academies: Tanumoy Basu (Pailan Arrows); Bino George (Chirag United Kerala), Arun Pratap (Chirag United Kerala Academy); Deepak (Kerala FA Academy); Sujay Sharma, Arata Izumi (both Pune FC); Ahmed Aslam Khan (SAI, Bangalore); Mathew D'Costa, Gavin Araujo (both Dempo); Augustine Antao, Joaquim Crasto (both Salgaocar); Suren Chhetri, Pranai Subba (both United Sikkim FC); Richard Hood (Tata Football Academy); Manoj Kumar (SEPT, Calicut); Pradyuman Reddy (Shillong Lajong FC); Sunil Chaudhury, Cetano Pinho (both ONGC); Ajit Braich (Canada)

VIDEO: Pepsi T20 Football Grand Finale ESPN episode

Pepsi India has partnered with sports channel ESPN-Star Sports, who will produce and showcase the Pepsi T20 Football tournament in a special 8-episode series. This is the seventh part of the series from the capital New Delhi!



Here the link to my original article from March: Pepsi India launch Amateur T20 Football Tournament !

VIDEO - NDTV: Discussion on Indian football & Drogba

News channel NDTV aired a football special yesterday coinciding with the visit of international football star Didier Drogba for the Pepsi T20 Football grand finale in the capital New Delhi.

Guests on the show were Indian football icon Baichung Bhutia, Shillong Lajong FC owner Larsing Ming Sawyan and AIFF Director of Regional Academies Scott O'Donell. The trio had an interesting discussion with the moderator on a range of issues besides giving some insights on Indian football.

Pepsi T20 Football: Didier Drogba comes to Delhi for the Grand Finale!

You've seen them change the game on television many times and this is your chance to see them live in action. Football fanatics not only in Delhi but across the nation are gearing up for the much awaited Grand Finale of Pepsi T20 Football scheduled to take place on June 17 at the Thyagraj Stadium, Shri Ganganath Marg, INA Colony in New Delhi from 13.00 IST onwards.

Present at the event will be none other than Ivory Coast football sensation, Didier Drogba who will coach the national winners of the Pepsi T20 Football amateur tournament, creating waves across the country over the past few months. This team will then get a once in a lifetime opportunity to play an exhibition match with the stars of the Indian cricket team, Mahender Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh and Murali Vijay. While, the national winning team will be led by avid footballer and youth icon, Ranbir Kapoor, M.S. Dhoni will front the Indian cricket team, and be coached by Baichung Bhutia, the Indian football legend.

Pepsi's first ever football campaign was launched in India with a fun and irreverent film featuring Ranbir Kapoor that set the tone for the real action earlier this year. It was followed by a unique grassroots initiative, Pepsi T20 Football that took football outside the conventional domain, giving it a refreshing twist. The initiative combined the excitement and fun of T20 style of playing cricket with the speed, thrill and spirit of football. Organized in a unique metallic cage, the 20-minute knockout matches were held across major Indian cities - Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai, Lucknow, Ludhiana and Delhi, with phenomenal response. A total of 8-teams, including one winning team from each city and one wild card entry from their Facebook community will compete to emerge as 'Game Changers'.


So what are you waiting for? Go and grab your passes today and save yourselves a seat for the much awaited Grand Finale of Pepsi T20 Football!

More information under www.facebook.com/PepsiIndia

Hill All Stars vs Share FC on June 2 in Kalimpong

The Hill All Stars take on local side Share FC on June 2 at the Mela Ground in Kalimpong (District of Darjeeling) to raise funds for Share FC. The Hill All Stars will see I-league stars like Nirmal Chettri and Sanju Pradhan taking part in the match. The match will kick-off at 14.00 IST on Saturday, June 2.

The organisers say they want to use the funds generated from the match for the development of football in the Hills, especially for the development of local Kalimpong club Share FC, which was formed only in May 2010 and a month back created history for football in the Hills by offered legal contracts to all its 26 players as the first club in the region.

The organisers of the match are promoting the game in a big way with hoarding and posters all over Kalimpong town to get as many fans to come to the game as possible with local radio station Red FM helping in the promotion of the match.

The Hill All Stars team will feature players like Nirmal Chettri (India/Mohun Bagan), Sanju Pradhan (Captain, East Bengal), Nim Tshering Lepcha (Captain, United Sikkim FC), Bijendra Rai (India Juniors/Pailan Arrows), Ashish Chettri (India U-16) and host of other professional footballers from the Hills.

Former India captain Baichung Bhutia has also given his full support for the match and has donated his India and United Sikkim FC Jerseys for auction. Sanju Pradhan and Nirmal Chetri will also do the same and the organisers hope to raise funds from the auctions of these jersey's.

Is the I-League heading for expansion?

Yesterday at an event in Bangalore former Indian football captain Baichung Bhutia made comments on a number of issues related to Indian football amongst them about expansion of the I-League from currently 14 to 16 teams.

Baichung Bhutia, co-owner of the promoted United Sikkim FC, welcomed the expansion of the I-League by the All India Football Federation, but sources within the AIFF and their marketing partners IMG-Reliance seem unaware of any such move. As per the knowledge of the sources such a move is not on the cards at the moment as long as IMG-Reliance does not present their plans on the future of the I-League.

Baichung had told the media in Bangalore yesterday, "Expanding the I-League will help boost the game of football in the country!"

"More teams are very important but if you have two more teams from Goa and Kolkata it doesn't make any sense. We need to have teams from different parts of the country because at the end of the day you need to spread the game all over," Baichung added.

I couldn't agree more with Baichung then cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi and Chennai could and should have an own team in the I-League just like the states of Kerala and Punjab, which could easily support two teams in the I-League only if its football clubs better organised and/or have the necessary financial backing.

The question at the end of the day is, if the I-League is expanded to 16 teams or maybe even to 18/20 in the future, would it help in the spread of the top tier across the country or would more teams from Kolkata, Goa and Maharashtra take those available spots. Then with promotion and relegation the teams with financial cloud come through and on that front Kolkata and Goa are way ahead of other states and cities.