Shillong Lajong FC name squad for I-League

Northeastern I-League club Shillong Lajong FC have named their preliminary 26 players squad for the marathon league which is set to run until end-April 2013. The squad under new Scottish coach Desmond Bulpin looks stronger then last season as the club has been able to bring in quality players.

But not only that Lajong FC has also integrated four of their Academy players into their senior team with defender Samuel Shadap getting a professional contract while the trio of Th. Bipin Singh, Lalrinzualka Khiangte and Jacob Lalrawngbawla will hope to follow in Samuel's footsteps.

Interestingly the team is made-up only of players from India's three Northeastern states of Meghalaya, Manipur and Mizoram plus four foreigners from Africa and North Korea.


SHILLONG LAJONG FC

Goalkeeper
Lalthuammawia Ralte, Sanasam Basant Singh (United Sikkim FC)

Defenders
M. Subhas Singh, Govin Moirangthem Singh (United Sikkim FC), Min-Chol Son (FC Korea, JAPAN), Wailadmi Passah, Rollingson Hungyo (Pune FC), C. Lallawmzuala, Samuel Shadap

Midfielders
Lalchuanmawia, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Chitrasen Chandam Singh (Churchill Brothers SC), Samson Ramengmawia, John D. Menyongar, Lalramluaha, P.C. Lahlimthara Mahlima, Potsangbam Renedy Singh, Boithang Haokip, Jibon Singh (Pailan Arrows)

Forwards
Gbeneme Friday (Mumbai FC), Ebi Theophilus Sukore (Mumbai FC), Sushil Kumar Singh, Saikhohau Tuboi (Tiddim Road Athletic Union, Manipur)

Academy Boys
Th. Bipin Singh (Wanghi F.A., Manipur), Lalrinzualka Khiangte, Jacob Lalrawngbawla

Rodingson Sangma
NEW: Th. Bipin Singh (Wanghi F.A., Manipur), N. Rojit Singh (BOSV Betul, Madhya Pradesh)

VIDEO - 2009 Nehru Cup: Renedy Singh's free-kick goal

The 2012 Nehru Cup is set to kick-off later today, but here my personal highlight from the 2009 Nehru Cup, the brilliant free-kick goal from my friend Renedy Singh in extra-time of the final against Syria. It didn't win us the match, but still a highlight from the last edition, may this inspire the new generation Team India...

Panasonic Dream Camp for aspiring Footballers

Panasonic India along with Libero Sports is organizing a three day dream camp from today onwards for aspiring footballers which would provide them an opportunity to learn what it takes to represent India as an international player. The camp is being held at Shillong, Meghalaya.

At this three day residential camp, 28 junior players within the age group of 12-15 years will get a first-hand experience of what goes on at a national team training camp. This will include intensive training sessions, cool downs, in-classroom learning, videos, social time and a number of other unique football experiences.

Team India assistant coach Savio Medeira along with coaches Francisco Bruto da Costa and John Kenneth Raj are overseeing the technical aspects of the camp, while international players Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, Sushil Kumar Singh and Renedy Singh are involved in the camp sharing their knowledge and experience of the game with the Dream Camp participants. On completion of the camp the participants will receive certificates signed by Panasonic and the AIFF.

The participating players were nominated by the Meghalaya Football Association and two were players selected from a Panasonic Facebook campaign. The players are housed at The EeeCee Hotel and all training sessions are taking place at the FIFA Artificial Turf Pitch.

The technical plan is designed and executed by the Panasonic Dream Camp Technical Director, Savio Medeira. While off-pitch, the participants will engage in Q&A with the AIFF players and coaches, watch highlight DVDs, discuss their football dreams and gain invaluable insight on what it takes to represent India at the international level.

Talking about the dream camp Manish Sharma, Managing Director at Consumer Product Division, Panasonic India, said, "Panasonic has been playing a significant role in promoting football in India through its partnership with the All India Football Federation. This extraordinary Dream Camp would be a rewarding experience for the aspiring young footballers and give them a chance to get game tips from professional players. It will also seek to set participants up for future success and encourage the spirit of football in the country."

AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das said, "I thank Panasonic for its significant contribution in our efforts to improve football both on-field and off-field. The continuous support from a brand like Panasonic encourages and ensures interest in the game. We are pleased to be associated and supported by Panasonic to help promote and take Indian football to the next level."

Expressing his view on the Dream Camp, former India captain Renedy Singh, said, "This camp is a wonderful platform for the young aspiring players to learn football tactics from professionals and interact with them. This is a great opportunity made possible by Panasonic by organizing such football coaching camp. I am really looking forward to the two-day long fun-filled learning experience."

It is the first camp of its kind and if it is successful then such camps could be held in other cities of the country.

VIDEO: Netherlands vs Germany: Post-Match Analysis with Renedy Singh & Godwin Franco

For the Netherlands vs Germany match at Euro2012 the Indian footballers of Renedy Singh and Godwin Franco were in my home town of Remscheid, Germany. Here comes the Post-Match Analysis with the two from Wednesday at the Fanmeile Remscheid!

rs1.tv VIDEO: Public Viewing in Germany, Renedy & Godwin amongst them

Last Wednesday saw Germany taking on Netherlands in their second Euro2012 group match. As has become tradition in Germany people watch matches together in public viewing in big arena's, on the streets and in public areas where giant screens are installed.

The same happens in my home town of Remscheid, where people watched and then celebrated Germany's win against Portugal. What drew special attention in Remscheid that evening was the attendance of Indian footballers Renedy Singh and Godwin Franco.




Link to the article: German media covers Indian footballers - Renedy & Godwin visit

German media covers Indian footballers - Renedy & Godwin visit

My good friends Renedy Singh (Shillong Lajong FC) and Godwin Franco (Dempo SC), both Indian footballers, are currently holidaying in Europe. Both on their own, but we met-up this week and the duo visited my home town of Remscheid here in Germany.

As part of their visit to my place we visited on Wednesday evening, June 13 the public viewing of the 2012 European Championships match between the Netherlands and Germany at the central city square.

I did interview Renedy and Godwin after the match for television, but as local journalist colleagues knew the two would be at the public viewing, they showed real interest that Indian footballers were in town to watch the game and reported about the visit.


Here the link to the online version of the newspaper article in German in the Bergische Morgenpost: Nationalspieler im Fanblock .

Here the online version: Fußball-Party: Inder feiern mit Remscheidern

The regional version of the newspaper had the news that Indian footballers visit public viewing in Remscheid: Public Viewing in der Region - Im EM-Rausch: Jubel, Party, Autokorso


(Photo Source: Bergische Morgenpost; Jürgen Moll)

United Sikkim FC launched in new avatar

United Sikkim Football Club (formerly United Sikkim Sporting Club) was relaunched yesterday at Kolkata's Taj Bengal hotel announcing the squad for the 2nd Division I-League along with the launch of the new club logo which has been designed by Philippe de Ridder.

"As a national player for over a decade (more than 15 years), I had a dream to own a football club. I see it fulfilled today. It's a historic day. I wish to make United Sikkim a big name in India," said Indian football icon Baichung Bhutia yesterday.

A strong team has been put together for the 2nd Division I-League with internationals like Renedy Singh and N.S. Manju in the squad plus seasoned pros on the Indian circuit like M. Suresh, Kalia Kulothungan, Bijen Singh and Jiten Rai, young talents and some good foreigners in Japanese defender Mituski Ichihara and Liberian attacking player John D. Menyongar.

The owners of the now professional club were also named. The majority stakeholder is Dubai-based FidelisWorld, while Baichung Bhutia and musical maestro Shankar Mahadevan are other joint owners of the club. Baichung also tried to bring Bollywood star John Abraham on board, but that hasn't worked out.

Mahadevan of the Shankar-Ehsan-Loy musical fame, who composed the popular World Cup theme song 'De Ghuma Ke' said he wanted to compose something different for the club. Mahadevan said, "I am composing a song for the team. I hope it will be as popular as my previous songs."


The Facebook fanpage of United Sikkim FC .


UNITED SIKKIM FC

Goalkeepers
Debjit Majumdar, Sukhdeb Ghosh, Tashi Tseten Bhutia

Defenders
Nanjangud Shivananju Manju, Mituski Ichihara, Muttath Suresh, Bijoy Das, V. Prem Kumar, Tanmoy Ghosh, Sumit Thapa, Pranesh Dewan, Sagar Rai

Midfielders
Potsangbam Renedy Singh, John D. Menyongar, APD Carvalho (Beto), Kalia Kulothungan, Beikhokhei Beingaichho, Lalrinfela, Martin Louis Joseph Daniel, Jiten Rai, Nim Tshering Lepcha, Pradip Hembrom, Mayal Dok Lepcha

Forwards
Baichung Bhutia, Joseph Lapira, Mutum Bijen Singh, Budhiram Tudu, Tenzing Tsephel Bhutia

Officials
Stanley Rozario (Chief Coach), Satyabrata Bhowmick (Assistant Coach), Arjun Rai (Manager)

United Sikkim's ongoing preparations

I have been regularly going to the training sessions of new professional outfit United Sikkim FC at the SAI Eastern Centre in Kolkata over the last few weeks. And one can surely see the progress in the teams preparations under coach Stanley Rozario and his assistant Satyabrata Bhowmick.

But the question remains if a team put together from stratch and in training for six to eight weeks can challenge some much more experienced outfits in the 2.Division I-League. Surely United Sikkim will have international players like N.S. Manju and Renedy Singh in their line-up, maybe even India captain Baichung Bhutia; but a lot depends on how well the team is able to gel and coach Stanley getting the best out of the players.

The coach has been focusing on the basics - passing, combinations, set pieces and seeing which players fit which positions. The team is a mixture of experienced players who have come in through Baichung's network plus some new one's from Sikkim and other parts of the Northeast. And there is some raw talent in there, if they can shine in a few weeks or if it is too early will have to be seen.

The two foreigners I have seen in action - Brazilian holding midfielder Beto (another one, not Roberto Mendes Silva from Dempo SC) and attacking player Johnny from Liberia look solid and skillful, while the Japanese defender is also said to be good, just I haven't seen him in action. A striker is also set to be signed. Only how fast they will adopt to Indian conditions will have to be seen.

United Sikkim had hoped to be part of the upcoming 115th IFA Shield, but in the end there was no place for the Northeastern outfit. The aim was to use those IFA Shield matches as competitive preparation for the 2.Division I-League. Now the club will have to look for opponents for friendly matches. Ideally to start with, easy sides to get some wins.

A personal Interview with Renedy Singh

I have known Indian international medio Potsangbam Renedy Singh for over a decade now since we first met while with the national team then and over the years we have become really good friends, but never over these years have I interviewed him though getting his statements. It is somewhat strange, but I always have kept private and work separate not to threaten our friendship. But yesterday I got a chance to speak to him about the Asian Cup, United Sikkim and our friend Vikash Dhorasoo.


So how was the 2011 AFC Asian Cup?

The Asian Cup was the best thing that happened to me in my international football career. It was a great experience, then we hardly get the chance to play against such strong teams like Australia, South Korea and Bahrain.


Unhappy that your great goal against Bahrain not credited to your name?

It would have been nice, but it goes in Sunil's (Chhetri) name so it isn't a problem for me. In the end it is a team game.


How was it to be away for so long from home for the Asian Cup preparations?

I have said again and again that the last eight months were best of my life, then everyday training under Bob Houghton is a challenge and I did not want to miss training on even one day. We, the players, enjoy his training so much.
And I wish we could enjoy the same kind of training and atmosphere at our clubs, then it would make things much easier for the players.
And I would have hoped we would have received such training about 10 to 12 years back when I was younger, so I could have developed more as a footballer.


You have joined United Sikkim FC. What does it mean for you to play for Baichung's club?

At this moment of my career, after having a great time and experience with Team India I am spending at least three months with United Sikkim to help them get into the I-League. It will be nice if I can help them, but if not then I would have to see what happens next season.
We need at least one team from the Northeast in the I-League! And I hope it is United Sikkim next year.

In terms of exposure the Northeastern teams have been sadly neglected. And football is so big in the Northeast, but the fans can rarely watch the best teams from across India. It would be great thing if we could qualify.


You have been named United Sikkim captain. Any added pressure?

(laughs) No added pressure. But I have to give my 100% best. My team mates who look up to me will hopefully try to do the same.


You know former France international Vikash Dhorasoo from before. How was it to be able to show him Kolkata?

It was great to meet him again!
Last time in Delhi (April 2009) we only had a day together - playing a charity game and then dinner in the evening.

So I was happy that he came down to Kolkata this time around.
And what I like about Vikash is that he is so down to earth and a chillout guy. He is always smiling, I feel with him like being with by India team mates.
I would expect players of his level to be arrogant, not to communicate and not really interested. But Vikash is totally different as he not only was nice to me, but also to my friends and fellow Indian footballers. So I hope to meet him again soon.

FPAI Workshop on Anti Doping & Tax Consulting

The Football Players Association of India earlier today organised a workshop on Anti Doping and Tax Consulting at the Parsee Club on the Kolkata Maidan. I had the honour of hosting the proceedings of the day which was opened by the FPAI president Baichung Bhutia on paying importance to such issues as Doping and Tax payment.

The first presentation was from Dr. Nisith Ranjan Chowdhury on Doping Laws, player responsibilities and banned substances. It is a very difficult subject which players are not really aware of and the case of Nishant Mehra from Mumbai FC shows how easily a player can test positive without the proper background knowledge.

It was followed by a session with G. Agarwal from Ernst&Young about the issue of taxation and what players need to keep in mind not to get in conflict with the Income Tax department.

Thereafter special guest in former French international and Player of Indian Origin Vikash Dhorasoo, who happened to be in Kolkata today. Vikash spoke to the players about the issue of Doping but everyone was more interested to hear about his career, the way he trained at different club and special experiences over the years.

The workshop ended like it started with the media wanting photos & bytes of both the local star Baichung Bhutia and the foreign visitor in Vikash Dhorasoo. Its something one should have experienced as Vikash joked afterwards...

Renedy to captain United Sikkim, Manju also joins

Baichung Bhutia has been able to bring in international midfielder Renedy Singh and defender N.S. Manju to play for his club United Sikkim Football Club in the upcoming I-League second division. This was disclosed by the club at a press conference in the Sikkimese capital Gangtok on Thursday evening.

In total 30 players have been signed by the club for its maiden 2.Division I-League campaign. The 30 players are made up of four foreigners, 11 players from Sikkim including Baichung and the other 15 from across the country. The team will be coached by Stanley Rozario and is preparing itself for the 2.Division in Kolkata at the Sports Authority of India (Eastern Zone) training complex.

Baichung disclosed that the club would be kitted by Nike plus that long-time friend and India team-mate Renedy Singh would be captain of the team. Renedy has signed a contract until the end of the season and stated that the club has huge potential but needed the support from the local community to achieve its goals.

Baichung said that his aim was to see United Sikkim in the I-League in three years, but he is confident that the club could achieve it this season itself in an aim to revive interest in the beautiful game and get further government support to develop the game.