Arrows score first win, Chirag Kerala relegated

Chirag United Kerala failed in their bid to avoid relegation by suffering a 0-3 loss against the Pailan Arrows, the first victory for the Arrows in their 24th match this season. The victory takes Pailan Arrows to 13 points while Chirag United Kerala stay on 17 points from 24 matches, seven behind Mumbai FC with to matches to play.

The AIFF's developmental team rode on Team India strikers C.S. Sabeeth's hattrick against his former club. It was a tragedy at Kochi's Nehru Stadium that a Keralite relegated Kerala's lone I-League club. Following HAL's relegation earlier it means there will no club from south India in the I-League next season.

Chances were even for both sides in the early part of the match as rival strikers Vineeth C.K. for Chirag Kerala and George Alwyn for Pailan Arrows came close to putting their respective teams into an early lead. But all had to wait till the 33rd minute for the first goal of the match. Chirag Kerala goalkeeper and captain Sharath K. was to blame for the goal as he fumbled a shot from Malswamfela. The ball fell kindly for Sabeeth who just had to tap it in from close.

Pailan's young guns doubled their lead in injury time of the first session. This time it was from a break initiated by Bikramjit Singh who released Sabeeth ahead of the Chirag Kerala backline. Sabeeth rounded past the on-rushing Sharath and slotted the ball into the open net to conclude the first forty-five minutes.

Changing over, Chirag Kerala coach Biswajit Bhattacharya brought in winger Usman Ashik in place of Suman Dutta. He also rang changes by bringing on Pradeep Mohanraj in the central midfield and pushing Vineeth C.K. to the wings to bring more creativity. But their fortunes did not change and relegation was looming on the horizons. And it could not have gone worse for them as Sherin Sam received marching orders for bringing down George Alwyn in the box and a spot kick was awarded to Arrows. Sabeeth blasted the penalty down the middle of the goal, completing the Indian international's first I-League hattrick.

Pailan Arrows Coach Sujit Chakrabarty sounded pleased after the first win. "This was long due. We have been unlucky not to win quite a few matches against tougher oppositions. It feels nice we came good," Sujit said.

Goalkeeping Coach Tanumoy Basu added, "I have never been in doubt about the quality of our boys. It's true that conversion has cost us dear in the League so far. But today that wasn't the case. It feels nice to win in such a convincing manner."

Indian Professional Football Clubs Association launched

12 I-League club owners/representatives came together today to formally launch the Indian Professional Football Clubs Association (IPFCA) to look after the interests of the top tier football clubs in India. The IPFCA formation is a direct reaction to the All India Football Federation and their marketing partners IMG-Reliance unability to market and promote the I-League over the last few years. A formal launch will be done soon.

The decision to form the IPFCA was taken following the meeting held at the Ashok Piramal Group Business Centre - Lotus Lounge in Mumbai. The conclusive idea of forming the IPFCA is to safeguard the interest of its member clubs, promote and popularize the football in India. Further it was decided that the IPFCA would be funded by member clubs and formed under the Society Registration Act 1860.

The clubs also spelt out IPFCA objectives, which include
- Promote and safeguard the common interests of the clubs
- Popularize the I-League across India
- Help make the I-League sustainable and profitable
- Encourage the formation of new professional clubs
- Share best practices among member clubs
- Get the I-League teams to play in the Asian Champions League.

There was detailed discussion amongst the club owners and representatives regarding the progress made towards setting a focused approach for making the I-League a separate entity in which the clubs would have major stakes. This move is something that especially the AIFF is objecting to do at the moment.

The clubs expressed deep concern with regards to the departure of Mahindra United and JCT from the Indian club football scene and expressed their anguish that unless corrective suitable action is taken, others may follow suit.

The members who met and outlined IPFCA were
1. Kingfisher East Bengal - Shanti Ranjan Das Gupta
2. McDowells Mohun Bagan - Anjan Mitra, Debashish Dutta, Alokesh Banerjee
3. Prayag United SC - Siddhartha Bhattacharya
4. Salgaocar SC - Shivanand Salgaocar, Raj Gomes
5. Dempo SC - Srinivas Dempo, Suvrat Thatte
6. Sporting Clube de Goa - Peter Vaz, Victor Fernandes
7. Chirag Kerala - Prashantan
8. Mumbai FC - Atul Badgamia
9. Air-India SC - Godfrey Pereira
10. Shillong Lajong FC - Larsingh Ming
11. Pune FC - Nandan Piramal, Chirag Tanna
12. Churchill Brothers SC - requested "Leave of Absence," but offered total support to the decisions and the formation of the IPFCA.

It was also proposed that the registered office of the IPFCA will be the Pune FC office.

116th IFA Shield: Starts tomorrow, Brazilian side taking part

The 116th edition of the IFA Shield will be played from March 3 to 16 in Kolkata. Rose Valley will be the title sponsor with NewsTime Bangla set to show the tournament live which will be inaugurated by the West Bengal Sports Minister Madan Mitra tomorrow.

But the tournament will have to do without local giants Mohun Bagan AC (as reported IFA Shield 2012: Mohun Bagan might skip the tournament), who have opted out of the tournament; but the star attraction of this edition will be a reserve side from Brazilians Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas from Rio de Janeiro.

The champions would receive a record Rs 2 Million (20 lakh) with the runners-up receiving Rs 1,5 Million (15 lakhs), while the two semifinalists would both get Rs 500,000. The best player of the tournament would get Rs 25,000 and the Sailen Manna Trophy, while the best coach would get Rs. 50,000 and the Sir Rahim Trophy.

The IFA Shield preliminary round will see 12 teams divided into four groups of three teams each. Group A contains East Bengal Club, Shillong Lajong FC and Bhowanipore Club; Group B will see Botafogo BFR (BRAZIL), Chirag United Kerala and Southern Samity in action; Group C is made-up of Pune FC, Pailan Arrows and Ar-Hima FC; while Group D has Prayag United SC, Mumbai FC and Techno Aryan Club.


GROUPS & FIXTURES

Group A
East Bengal Club, Shillong Lajong FC, Bhowanipore Club

03-Mar-2012: East Bengal Club - Bhowanipore Club (Saltlake Stadium; 15.00 IST)
05-Mar-2012: Shillong Lajong FC - Bhowanipore Club (East Bengal Ground, Maidan; 15.00 IST)
09-Mar-2012: East Bengal Club - Shillong Lajong FC (Saltlake Stadium; 15.00 IST)

Group B
Botafogo BFR (BRAZIL), Chirag United Kerala, Southern Samity

04-Mar-2012: Chirag United Kerala - Southern Samity (Howrah Maidan; 15.00 IST)
09-Mar-2012: Botafogo BFR - Chirag United Kerala (Howrah Maidan; 15.00 IST)
11-Mar-2012: Botafogo BFR - Southern Samity (Saltlake Stadium; 15.00 IST)

Group C
Pune FC, Pailan Arrows, Ar-Hima FC

04-Mar-2012: Pune FC - Pailan Arrows (East Bengal Ground, Maidan; 15.00 IST)
06-Mar-2012: Pune FC - Ar-Hima FC (Howrah Maidan; 15.00 IST)
10-Mar-2012: Ar-Hima FC - Pailan Arrows (Howrah Maidan; 15.00 IST)

Group D
Prayag United SC, Mumbai FC, Techno Aryan Club

05-Mar-2012: Mumbai FC - Techno Aryan Club (Howrah Maidan; 15.00 IST)
07-Mar-2012: Prayag United SC - Mumbai FC (Saltlake Stadium; 15.00 IST)
10-Mar-2012: Prayag United SC - Techno Aryan Club (Saltlake Stadium; 15.00 IST)

Semifinals
12-Mar-2012: Winner Group A - Winner Group C (Saltlake Stadium, 14.30 IST)
13-Mar-2012: Winner Group B - Winner Group D (Saltlake Stadium, 14.30 IST)

Final
16-Mar-2012: Winner SF 1 - Winner SF 2 (Saltlake Stadium, 14.30 IST)

I-League: Dempo SC heading for another title?

The fifth edition of the I-League, the Indian Professional Football League, it most likely the most closely fought season of the NFL/I-League since its foundation in late-1996 though at the top and bottom things are quite clear. Goans Dempo SC seem to be heading to regain their title from Salgaocar SC with a six point gap at the top with six matches to go. The reason is simple then Dempo have been the most consistent team in this I-League campaign with the other top clubs needlessly dropping points or taking points of each other.

At the other end of the table HAL from Bangalore are only on 7 points - 10 points adrift of Mumbai FC, who occupy the first non-relegation spot. From the start of the season HAL have looked like the top candidate to go down never really putting up a fight like last season. The newly put together Pailan Arrows are second from bottom, but the AIFF's Developmental team cannot go down so 12th placed Chirag United Kerala on 14 points are fighting for survival along with Mumbai FC in 11th position.

But otherwise it is a close affair. Take league leaders Dempo on 43 points out of the equation, from second placed Mohun Bagan on 37 points to Shillong Lajong FC in 10th position on 27 points there is only a gap of 10 points. A team like defending champions Salgaocar SC, who were in the bottom half of the I-League early on through an impressive series of wins have climbed upto third spot and are now one of the challenger for Dempo's, if the former champions drop enough points.

But there also a big worry. The general interest in the I-League is lower then in the past. Surely more matches are being covered by television, there is extensive coverage on the Internet, but the newspapers seem to be covering less and the general public not too much into football doesn't seem to be bothered. They are more fascinated by the upcoming PLS then the I-League. This should be an alarming sign to the AIFF and their marketing partners IMG-Reliance.

Currently the league is having a six week break for the preparatory camp and 2012 AFC Challenge Cup in Nepal with the I-League resuming on March 24 for the final six matches of the league.


Current I-League Table

#-- Team ------------------ P- W- D- L- GF-GA GD- PTS
01. Dempo SC -------------- 20 14-01-05 43-16 +27 43
02. Mohun Bagan AC -------- 20 11-04-05 38-26 +12 37
03. Salgaocar SC ---------- 20 10-06-04 29-15 +14 36
04. East Bengal Club ------ 20 10-05-05 34-18 +16 35
05. Pune FC --------------- 20 09-07-04 32-26 +06 34
06. Churchill Brothers SC - 19 10-04-05 30-19 +11 34
07. Prayag United SC ------ 20 08-08-04 29-20 +09 32
08. Sporting Clube de Goa - 20 08-06-06 41-35 +06 30
09. Air India ------------- 20 08-03-09 26-31 -05 27
10. Shillong Lajong FC ---- 20 07-06-07 17-27 -10 27
11. Mumbai FC ------------- 20 05-02-13 20-37 -17 17
12. Chirag United Kerala -- 19 04-02-13 17-31 -14 14
13. Pailan Arrows --------- 18 00-08-10 08-30 -22 08
14. HAL SC ---------------- 20 01-04-15 13-45 -32 07

I-League clubs get together, seek meeting with AIFF/IMG-R

Things in the I-League don't look good at the moment with India's top tier league facing an uncertain future due to key developmental steps not being taken. The clubs aren't happy about this situation with 12 of the 14 clubs meeting earlier today to discuss the current situation.

Pune FC hosted the meeting at their corporate headquarters in Mumbai with only Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC (Bangalore) and the AIFF's developmental side Pailan Arrows (Kolkata) not attending.

By the end of the meeting the attending 12 clubs decided to send a formal written request to the All India Football Federation for a special meeting with the AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das and representatives from IMG-Reliance about the future of the I-League and Indian football in general.

The attending clubs were Air India (Mumbai), Chirag United Kerala, Churchill Brothers SC (Goa), Dempo SC (Goa), East Bengal Club (Kolkata), Mohun Bagan AC (Kolkata), Mumbai FC, Prayag United SC (Kolkata), Pune FC, Salgaocar SC (Goa), Shillong Lajong FC and Sporting Clube de Goa.

Is a club rebellion on the cards? Not so far, but the AIFF and IMG-R need to be careful that they keep the situation under control and listen to what the clubs have to say.

33rd Federation Cup: Salgaocar & Prayag Utd qualify for semifinals

The Group B and D of the 33rd Federation Cup (India's version of the FA Cup) ended today with the third and last round of quarterfinal league matches. In both groups the favourites moved on, in Group B Salgaocar beat the Pailan Arrows youngsters, while Prayag United SC beat Sporting Clube de Goa. The semifinal line-up is now complete and the matches will take place on Sunday, September 25 and Monday, September 26. The first semifinal is between Shillong Lajong FC and Salgaocar SC, while the second semifinal will see East Bengal Club taking on local rivals Prayag United SC.


MATCHES OF THE DAY

Group B - Pune
Pailan Arrows 0-3 Salgaocar SC
Goals: 0-1 Chidi Edeh (3'), 0-2 Gilbert Oliveira (49'), 0-3 Balwant Singh (90')
I-League champions Salgaocar SC won 3-0 against the youngsters from the Pailan Arrows to move into the semifinals from Group B. The Goans took an early 3rd minute lead through a Chidi Edeh strike, while Gilbert Oliveira doubled the lead four minutes into the second half and Balwant Singh scored the 3-0 at the fag end of the game. The Arrows did have their chances in the game with the best chance falling to C.S. Sabeeth on the stroke of half-time.

Group B - Pune
Mumbai FC 2-1 HAL
Goals: 0-1 Sargolsem James Singh (41' pen), 1-1,2-1 Ebi Theophilus Sukore (79',89')
Mumbai FC needed two late goals from striker Ebi Theophilus Sukore to win 2-1 against Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC in an inconsequential match of Group B. The Airmen from Bangalore took a 41st minute lead through a Sargolsem James Singh penalty, but Mumbai FC turned things around in the second session with a double strike from their African striker Ebi Theophilus Sukore in the 79th and 89th minute to finish third in Group B, while HAL finished last.

Group D - Kolkata
Prayag United SC 2-1 Sporting Clube de Goa
Goals: 1-0 Denson Devadas (5'), 2-0 Josimar da Silva Martins (83'), 2-1 Ogba Kalu Nnanna (88' pen)
Prayag United SC beat Sporting Clube de Goa 2-1 to qualify for the semifinals of the 33rd Federation Cup. The Kolkata side needed a win to top Group D and move into the semifinals of the Fed Cup for the first-time and they succeeded against Sporting Clube. Prayag United took an early 5th minute lead through a 5th minute Denson Devadas strike, but thereafter they simply could score though they completely dominated their opponents in the first session. The game before more open after the break but it was Brazilian Josimar da Silva Martins who doubled Prayag United's lead in the 83rd minute. Sporting Clube could only reduce the deficit in the 88th minute through a Ogba Kalu Nnanna penalty.

Group D - Kolkata
Air India 3-2 Chirag United Kerala
Goals: 1-0 Soccor Velho (11'), 2-0 Takayuki Omi (31'), 2-1 Michael Matricciani (40'), 3-1 Ezeh Nna Henry (53'), 3-2 Manoj T.M. (80')
Air India beat Chirag United Kerala 3-2 in another inconsequential quarterfinal league group match. The Airmen ensured their third place with four points, while the Kerala side finished bottom of their group without a point. Air India went ahead through a Soccor Velho strike in the 11th minute which their new Japanese recruit Takayuki Omi doubled in the 31st minute, but Chirag United Kerala's Australian recruit Michael Matricciani reduced the deficit in the 40th minute. After the break Nigerian Ezeh Nna Henry made it 3-1 for Air India in the 53rd minute and Chirag United Kerala could only reduce the deficit in the 80th minute through a Manoj T.M. strike.

33rd Federation Cup: Salgaocar back on track, Arrows & SCG also win

The 33rd Federation Cup (India's version of the FA Cup) is entering a crucial phase with all teams now having played two matches in the quarterfinal group stage. Groups B and D stayed their second games and it leaves chances to two sides each, who play each other in the final game. It is Salgaocar SC vs Pailan Arrows in Group B and Prayag United SC vs Sporting Clube de Goa in Group D. Decision day in both groups will be on Thursday.


MATCHES OF THE DAY

Group B - Pune
HAL 0-4 Salgaocar SC
Goals: 0-1 Ryuji Sueoka (26'), 0-2 Rocus Lamare (29'), 0-3 Chidi Edeh (32'), 0-4 Luciano Sabrosa (52')
I-League champions Salgaocar SC hammered HAL SC 4-0 in their second Fed Cup match to keep their chances alive of progressing to the semifinals. The Goans put pressure on the Bangalore side from the start, but they survived for the first 25 minutes. Once the floodgates open Salgaocar scored three quick goals in six minutes. Striker Chidi Edeh was brought down in the box with Ryuji Sueoka scoring from the resultant penalty. Only three minutes later midfielder Rocus Lamare made it 2-0 before Chidi Edeh headed in Salgaocar's third in the 32nd minute. Seven minutes into the second session Brazilian defender Luciano Sabrosa made it 4-0 and it stayed that way until the end.

Group B - Pune
Mumbai FC 1-2 Pailan Arrows
Goals: 0-1 Jibon Singh (8'), 0-2 C.S. Sabeeth (53'), 1-2 Pachau Lalam Puia (79')
The youngsters from Pailan Arrows stay at the top of Group B with a 2-1 victory against Mumbai FC in Pune. The Arrows went ahead in the 8th minute through a fierce shot from Jibon Singh, which MFC defender Kingsley Choma deflected into his own goal. It was again Jibon who set-up C.S. Sabeeth for the Arrows second goal of the night in the 53rd minute. Mumbai FC were only able to reduce the deficit through a 79th minute goal from striker Pachau Lalam Puia. The Arrows won and now face Salgaocar in the group decider.

Group D - Kolkata
Air India 0-0 Prayag United SC
Goals: none
Air India held local side Prayag United SC to a goalless draw in their Group D match at the Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata, which means that Prayag United will need to win their final game against Sporting Clube de Goa to move into the semifinals, while for Air India the quarterfinal league will be the end of the journey. Prayag United had more from the game overall, especially in the first session but couldn't score of their chances while the Airmen could have scored an upset after the break.

Group D - Kolkata
Chirag United Kerala 0-1 Sporting Clube de Goa
Goals: 0-1 Ogba Kalu Nnanna (86')
Sporting Clube de Goa needed a late goal from their Nigerian midfielder Ogba Kalu Nnanna to overcome a fighting Chirag United Kerala to go top of Group D with an all win record, while Chirag United Kerala are now out of the competition. Ogba Kalu Nnanna scored the winner for the Flaming Orange in the 86th minute of the game.

33rd Federation Cup: Salgaocar held, Prayag Utd win crunch tie

The 33rd Federation Cup (India's version of the FA Cup) today also started for the teams in the quarterfinal league's Group B & D with some surprising and some expected results. Things are already heating-up after the first round of matches.


MATCHES OF THE DAY

Group B - Pune
Salgaocar SC 0-0 Mumbai FC
Goals: none
I-League champions Salgaocar SC were held to a goalless draw by Mumbai FC in their opening Group B match in the Federation Cup in Pune. It was often one-way traffic with Salgaocar putting pressure on the Mumbai FC goal, but their defence held their ground with Salgaocar's Rocus Lamare and Mehrajuddin Wadoo creating a lot in midfield for their strike duo Japanese Ryuji Sueoka and Nigerian Chidi Edeh. And it was Chidi who had the best chance of the game in the second session when the ball hit the woodwork.

Group B - Pune
Pailan Arrows 1-0 HAL
Goals: 1-0 Jibon Singh (89', pen)
The newly assembled Pailan Arrows, the AIFF's developmental side in the I-League, beat Bangalore's HAL in their opening Group B encounter in the Federation Cup in Pune. The youngsters were better then there more experienced Airmen rivals, but they needed a last minute penalty to bag the three points. Striker Malswamfela was brought down in the box and Jibon Singh converted from the resultant spot-kick.

Group D - Kolkata
Prayag United SC 1-0 Chirag United Kerala
Goals: 1-0 Josimar da Silva Martins (17')
It was a highly anticipated encounter between United SC (now Prayag United) and Chirag Computers (now co-owners of Chirag United Kerala), who had parted ways over the summer. But the Kerala side were no match for their Kolkata rivals, who could only find the net once in the 17th minute when Brazilian striker Josimar da Silva Martins scored of a rebound following a Kayne Vincent free-kick which Chirag United Kerala goalkeeper Sharath K. couldn't hold on to. Prayag United had chances to win by a bigger margin, but it remained 1-0 at the end. For the win the Prayag United players were given a joint cash prize of Rs 200,000 by the Prayag Group, showing the importance of the match to the new sponsors and the club management.

Group D - Kolkata
Sporting Clube de Goa 2-1 Air India
Goals: 0-1 Ezeh Nna Henry (17', pen), 1-1 Kailo Karpeh (49'), 2-1 Ogba Kalu Nnanna (63')
Sporting Clube de Goa came back from a one goal deficit to beat Air India 2-1 in their opening Group D encounter in Kolkata. The Airmen took a 17th minute lead through a Ezeh Nna Henry penalty after a rough tackle from Sporting Clube de Goa keeper Gerard D'Mello on Henry himself. Just four minutes into the second session Sporting Clube equalised through Kailo Karpeh, but Air India protested that he used his hand before scoring. The situation got out of control with Air India player roughing-up an assistant referee and threatened to leave the pitch, but things were restored and the game continued. Sporting Clube scored the winner in the 63rd minute when Ogba Kalu Nnanna curled in a long-ranger.

33rd Federation Cup: Numerous Clubs name 20 players squad

The 33rd edition of the Federation Cup is set to kick-off on Saturday, September 17 with matches to be played across four groups in Kolkata and Pune. In total 16 teams will be playing in the tournament proper, the quarterfinal league stage after seven teams had contested the qualifiers with two team moving into the next stage.

The first clubs have started to announce their final 20 players squad for the tournament. Amongst them are Chirag United Kerala (formerly Viva Kerala), East Bengal Club, Mohun Bagan AC and Pune FC.


SQUADS of PARTICIPATING CLUBS
(Clubs listed in alphabetical order)

Chirag United Kerala
Goalkeepers: Sharath K., Arindam Ghosh; Defenders: Isaac Boakye, Jagdeep Singh, Gurjinder Singh, Faizal T., Noushad K., Sherin Sam, Shahbas Shaleel; Midfielders: Krishnan Nair Ajayan, Asif K., Gunashekar Vignesh, Jimshad U., C.K. Vineeth, Pradeep Mohanraj, Shyjumon; Forwards: Michael Matricciani, Barbarosa Da Silva Alexander, O.K. Javed, Manoj T.M.
Coach: Kunhikrishnan P.

East Bengal Club
Goalkeepers: Sandip Nandy, Jayanta Pal, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu; Defenders: Thokchom Naoba Singh, Abhishek Das, Nirmal Chetri, Raju Eknath Gaikwad, Uga Okpara, Soumik Dey, Robert Lalthlamuana; Midfielders: Sanju Pradhan, Reisangmi Vashum, Mehtab Hossain, Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Khanthang Paite, Penn Ikechukwu Orji, Alan Gow; Forwards: Tolgay Ozbey, Baljit Singh Sahni, Robin Singh
Coach: Trevor James Morgan

Mohun Bagan AC
Goalkeepers: Shilton Pal, Sangram Mukherjee; Defenders: Simon Storey, Kingshuk Debnath, Rakesh Masih, Anwar, Irungbam Surkumar Singh; Midfielders: Sheikh Jewel Raja, Manish Maithani, Bungo Thokchom Singh, N.P. Pradeep, Joseph Muralidharan, Syed Rahim Nabi, Hudson Lima Silva, Satish Kumar; Forwards: Sunil Chetri, Jose Ramires Barreto, Odafe Onyeka Okolie, Jagtar Singh, Ashim Biswas
Coach: Steve Darby

Pune FC
Goalkeepers: Subrata Pal, Shahinlal Meloly, Amrinder Singh; Defenders: Gurjinder Kumar Singh, Chika Wali, Caitano Costa, Kamaljeet Kumar, Rollingson Hungyo, Ramu Srikanth, Othallo Tabia; Midfielders: Lester Mark Fernandez, Arata Izumi, Douhou Sey Djidja Pierre, Shanmugam Venkatesh, Karma Tsewang, Baldeep Singh, Maninder Singh; Forwards: Jeje Lalpekhlua, Mandjou Keita, Singam Subash Singh
Coach: Derrick Pereira

Indian Club Football: Why only investors from Bengal?

The above is a question which needs to be asked. Over the Indian football summer break a number of clubs and entities have been on the lookout for new partners and sponsors, but only companies from Kolkata have come forward to spend Rs 50 to 80 Million (5 to 8 crores) per year.

Surely one has to criticize Chirag Computers style of their Viva Kerala takeover to name them Chirag United Club Kerala or in short CUCK, which is even worse. But on the other side why has Kerala's lone entrant in the top tier of the I-League not been able to find a local Kerala sponsor/backer or a Non-Resident Keralite with money? Then the fact is without Chirag Computers owner Kaustav Roy being on the lookout for an I-League club after his split with United SC the future of Viva Kerala looked seriously bleak.

Take Kolkata-based United SC. The I-League side split from Chirag Computers due to differences in ownership but after a few weeks found a new long-term partner in the Prayag Group of Industries, who have agreed to sponsor them for six years. This gives he United SC management planning security.

The third example of this summer are the Indian Arrows, the AIFF's developmental team. The team was based in Delhi last season and played in Gurgaon, but due to the high costs involved the AIFF where on the lookout for a sponsor and partner for the Arrows who could adopt the team. They hoped to either keep the team in Delhi or shift to Bangalore or Pune with a national or local sponsor. It didn't happen, then in the end the Pailan Group from Kolkata became the partners and the Arrows have now shifted to their world school campus in Joka.

There are other companies from Kolkata to have come forward to fund Calcutta Premier Division sides with budgets which would surely make some of the I-League sides envious.

But why aren't there any investments into Indian club football elsewhere? Especially from Mumbai and to some extend Bangalore I have been hearing for years now that there are investors waiting in the wings to launch new clubs, but nothing has ever happened.

The biggest disappointment remains for me Kerala. There is a state with huge interest in football, people follow the sport there like in Bengal, Goa and the Northeast; but there seems to be no local business which can support and sustain a local football team at the top level? That can't be.

Hopefully companies and individuals with the necessary deep pockets in other parts of India come forward to fund clubs or even found clubs to compete with the best in the country, otherwise soon it will be a Kolkata and Goa league with some Indian flavour in it...

The new Chirag United Club Kerala

It had been announced in late-June 2011 that Chirag Computers is buying a 60% controlling stake in Viva Kerala. Yesterday in a press conference in Kolkata the details of the team and their future was announced. Unlike in earlier announcements the club will not be known as Chirag Kerala.

After the takeover of Viva Kerala by Kolkata-based Chirag United Sports Pvt Ltd the team will be known as Chirag United Club Kerala or CUCK and for this season the club would retain Kerala as their home base in the I-League, but preparatory camps for tournaments like the Federation Cup, Durand Cup and IFA Shield would be held in Bengal.

At the press conference Chirag Computers owner Kaustav Roy told the media about his attempts to shift the team to Kolkata over the summer break, but that it was blocked by the AIFF as they did not want a fifth team in West Bengal after Pailan Indian Arrows joined East Bengal Club, Mohun Bagan AC and Prayan United SC as Kolkata-based I-League sides. But he did mention he would try and shift the team to Bengal next year, if not Kolkata then Siliguri could be a home base with affiliation to the Indian Football Association (West Bengal).

For this season Kannur will be the home base of Chirag United Club Kerala with Cochin set to host the I-League home matches, but with Ranji Trophy matches to be played there the team could be forced to play in Trivandrum or elsewhere in the southern state.

Subrata Bhattacharya has been appointed as the new technical director of the team with P.K. Kunhikrishnan continuing as the coach of Chirag United Club Kerala.

Kaustav Roy also said that 21 players from the old Chirag United SC still had contract with him rather then the club so they would be joining his new club side, but that was denied later in the evening by officials from Prayag United SC. There seems to be a potential problem brewing for the players.

It is interesting to see new companies from Kolkata coming forward in sponsoring and owning football teams - Prayag Group of Industries and Pailan Group at the top besides others of Calcutta Premier Division teams besides older one's like Chirag Computers. Sadly it isn't happening anywhere else in India at the moment.