The Clash of the Titans series between India and Pakistan has been postponed by the London-based organisers TouchSky Sports. Officially the match on September 3 in Derby to mark the death of Haroon Jahan, Shazad Ali and Abdul Musavir, killed in the UK riots in Birmingham was postponed and with it the whole tour less then 48 hours before the teams were set to leave south Asia for the United Kingdom.
This is what TouchSky Sports said in a press release
For the past nine months TouchSky Sports have been planning this historical FIFA fixture, India vs. Pakistan, two nations better known for their cricket than their football, and this will be the first time that these two nations have met on English soil, a fixture that will bring these two communities together.
As a company TouchSky Sports aims to stimulate and provide exposure for this growing football region and provide their UK based fans and respective communities with access to their national team.
As a company we were struck by how the nation has rallied behind the families and the community that have endured this sad loss, and as such we have dedicated this match to their memory, pledging all profits from the match to a foundation, if one is set-up in the future and administered by the families or a charity of their choice. And at this point we would like to STRESS that this is NOT a fundraising event.
When we met with Tariq Jahaan and Qoodas last Sunday, we were overwhelmed by the love, affection and support they showed for our event despite having endured such a tragic loss.
After getting to know the families over the course of the week, as well as understanding the families personal situations and the Islamic faith, we as a company feel we have a social and moral responsibility to postpone the match and allow the families the time and space to grieve. The Islamic faith calls for a 40 day mourning period, which we whole heartedly respect.
Our stakeholders and shareholders are sympathetic to our position and we have commenced the process of rescheduling in accordance with the FIFA calendar, with a new date to be announced in due course.
TouchSky Sports at the Portland Hotel Birmingham on Thursday, August 25 will officially announce its contribution to the new charitable foundation being set up in the name of the three men - Harroon Jahan, Abdul Mussavir, Shahzad Ali - tragically killed during the recent Birmingham riots.
Proceeds for the foundation will come from the first ever UK football match between the two nations better known for their cricketing prowess, India and Pakistan. The 'Clash of the Titans' match will see the teams go head to head at Derby County's Pride Park on Saturday, September 3 in a game that will promote closer cohesion between diverse communities.
Speaking about the forthcoming fixture, TouchSky Director Peter Virdee said, "The football match has the potential to provide a very public show of support from the whole community which stood together during the riots and the subsequent sad loss of these three lives. The lives of these three young men can never be replaced however measures need to be put in place for the prevention of future incidents and to bridge the divide within the community."
Representatives from the affected families and the Football Association will join the TouchSky directors in Birmingham to make the announcement. They will also attend the football match where a minute's silence in memory of their loved ones will be observed. In support of the cause both teams will also don black arm bands for the duration of the game.
TouchSky Sports hopes that this historical match will provide a vital catalyst for communities, authorities and the football community at large to begin to address the issues that have been raised through the senseless loss of these three lives.
TouchSky Sports wants to ensure that these lives were not lost in vein and that the concerns and wishes of the family remain integral to the program.
Pakistani origin world boxing champion Amir Khan and Indian origin award winning artist Jaz Dhami joined forces to show their support of the hugely anticipated India versus Pakistan football friendly fixture at the boxer's home turf in Bolton at Reebok Stadium.
The match has gotten the support from FIFA and the English FA alongside Kick It Out, the friendly football fixtures will take place on the 3rd September at Derby County as well as on the 9th September in Glasgow.
The 'Clash of the Titans' tour will set centre stage for these two heavyweights to lock heads in a series of games up and down the UK and also give precedence to help bring communities together in a wider social message via the power of football.
Amir said, "I will be attending the Derby County fixture, and I will be honoured with the task of bringing on the Pakistani team to show my support to this great footballing fixture, however I wish both teams the beat of luck."
Meanwhile Jaz Dhami said "I am excited to get involved and support the Clash of the Titans tour. India and Pakistan are primarily noted for their cricketing abilities and this tour will give the UK sports enthusiasts the opportunity to see these two big nations don their football boots and show what they have on the pitch."
The FA's Ambassador Brendon Batson also expressed his support of the 'Clash of the Titans' tour. Brendon said, "I have worked closely with the Asian community for several years at the FA, helping to build bridges and lending support so that the Asian community may become more involved in the beautiful game. This fixture will hopefully offer further encouragement for Asian kids across the UK to put on their boots and prove that football is a universal and inclusive sport. There are many opportunities for Asian kids to play at the highest level possible which this fixture clearly demonstrates.
Ahmer Kunwar, Director of TouchSky Sports added, "this fixture presents a great opportunity for Indian and Pakistani football fans and families to come out and support their native teams and enjoy the carnival atmosphere. The match has received overwhelming support with excellent take up on ticket sales and the tour website inundated with several thousand hits per day. We look forward to putting on a great show with football, music and half time football activities with children on the pitch with stars."
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by logging onto www.clashofthetitansuk.com
The All India Football Federation has finally confirmed that the India Under-23s will be travelling to the United Kingdom to face Pakistan in a two match series titled 'Clash of the Titans' besides taking on an England C side.
India's first match would be on September 3 at Derby County FC's Pride Park ground, followed by a match against an England C side (a team made-up of non-league players, semi-professional players) at Victoria Road, Dagenham in East London and the tour would end with another encounter against Pakistan on September 9 in Glasgow.
The AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das expressed his happiness in the Under-23 team getting the much-needed exposure in England. "The All India Football Federation is happy the boys are getting the right kind of exposure. Clash of the Titans India Pakistan UK Tour has generated huge interest among the fans in India and we are eagerly looking forward to the Tour," he said.
India have started their practice in Gurgaon with Sukhvinder Singh the coach of the squad, while Tanumoy Bose as the assistant-cum-goalkeeping coach with seasoned Renedy Singh set to lead the young squad with Baichung Bhutia unlikely to make a return. The Team will leave for England on August 27.
A lot had been speculated, but now it looks the India vs Pakistan series titled as 'Clash of the Titans' will go ahead in the United Kingdom with two matches to be played between the two sides, while India play another match against an England C side.
Here the press release from the organisers TouchSky Sports
Football gets spiced up this summer
IT’S a long-standing rivalry, India and Pakistan will this summer lock horns on the football pitch for the first time in England and Scotland.
Billed as the 'Clash of the Titans', the Asian sub-continent’s most powerful sides will meet on September 3 at Pride Park Stadium, Derby and on September 9 in Glasgow, Scotland.
And a touch of musical dance entertainment will provide the backdrop to the friendly, which aims to lift the profile of football in the respective nations.
FIFA Match Agents TouchSky Sports will combine the match with live musical entertainment headlined by Jazzy B, Dr. Zeus, Aman Hayer, Jaz Dhami, ADH, Gabru Punjab De Folk Bhangra Dancers and many more. Sonia Deol from BBC Asian Network will energise fans as the host of the match.
The match has received backing from high profile members from the sports and entertainment world, including England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.
"I am welcoming the India and Pakistan teams to the home of football," said Ferdinand.
"This is a major breakthrough for both nations and I hope to see myself in India and Pakistan soon."
WBA and IBF light-welterweight world champion Amir Khan said the match took on great significance.
"Football is one of the most popular sports amongst the Asian community in Britain and this match will prove to be very successful because of that," said Khan.
"I'm sure these matches will also be very beneficial for relations between the two countries because sport plays an important role in helping to unify people. I'm very excited about these games because it's always thrilling to see two rivals go up against one another."
'Bend it Like Beckham' producer and director Gurinder Chadha was excited about the clash.
"I will be shouting Bend it like my Bhaiya's, Bhaijans and Bros," said Chadha, while A1 Grand Prix champion Adam Khan, who is of Pakistani descent added, "It's great to see these two nations playing head to head on an international platform – I can't wait."
The respective association presidents have both hailed the match as a crucial step in their respective development.
"Playing Pakistan is always special. I'm sure all sporting fans are eagerly looking forward to it," said AIFF president Praful Patel.
Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat, president of Pakistan Football Federation added, "This match will definitely go a long way in promoting bilateral relations between the two countries. I wish everyone best of luck."
The English FA has also backed this match to increase participation from the Asian community.
"I am really pleased to support this match which opens doors for aspiring Asian footballers in England giving them sense of national pride," said FA spokesperson Jonathan Mills.
The match represents the continued commitment by TouchSky Sports to focus on emerging footballing nations and assisting the development and growth in regions where football is in its infancy but gathering huge momentum.
"By touring in England, the home of football, these two nations not recognized for their football prowess will play on one of the worlds largest football stages and many up and coming young players will fulfill their lifelong dream of playing in England," said TouchSky Sports FIFA Match agent Clem Leech.
TouchSky Sports' vision is long term, strategic and its values are clear within - "this is history in its making" said TouchSky Sports Director Peter Virdee. This clash officially puts IndoPaK football on the map in England added TouchSky Sports Director Ahmer Kunwar.
Clash of the Titans 2011 takes center stage in UK this summer so come and become part of history!
A selection of charities will benefit from the event thanks to funding from The Virdee Foundation. ( www.petervirdee.com ).
History unfolds - schedule and details
August 30 | Press Conference at Leicester Marriott Hotel at 1 pm
September 1 | Pakistan Exhibition Match organised by Birmingham FA at 3 pm
September 3 | India vs. Pakistan - Pride Park Stadium, Derby, KO: 4pm (Gates at 2pm)
September 6 | India vs. England C - Venue TBC
September 9 | India vs. Pakistan - Glasgow, Scotland KO: TBC
To book tickets call Clash of the Titans Hotline 0844 248 5066
TICKETS FOR THIS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED MATCH AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE NOW
Ticket Prices
General Admission starts from £20.00
Concessions £15.00
Kids U9 go FREE accompanied by ONE adult (limited number of tickets)
VIP/Hospitality tickets & Executive Boxes (POA)
Here the official video trailer for the match on September 3 in Derby
The three match India vs Pakistan football series will go ahead and will now be played in August/September 2011 in England with Manchester, Coventry and London being the host cities.
The two sides are set to arrive in England on August 25 and stay in England until September 11. The matches are likely to be played on August 27 in Manchester, on September 3 at the Ricoh Stadium in Coventry and at West Ham United's home Upton Park in London on September 9.
The tour is being promoted and organised by TouchSky Sports out of London, who have dubbed the tour as the 'Clash of the Titans – India-Pakistan UK tour'.
AIFF president Praful Patel said about the tour, "Playing Pakistan is always special. It's a positive sign that we will play a bilateral football series against Pakistan. I'm sure all sporting fans are eagerly looking forward to it."
This is the first ever football series between India against Pakistan at a neutral venue. The last time the two Nations were involved in a three-match series was in 2005 across the border in Pakistan.
Ahmer Kunwar, a Director at TouchSky Sports, said, "It gives me immense pleasure in organising this epoch-making tour. The tour would provide the Indian and Pakistani Nationals based in England a chance to witness their native teams in action at the 'Home of Football,' England."
Initially the tour was planned for June, but then pushed back to July with the Government of India also not issuing the NOC (No Objection Certificate), necessary for such matches against Pakistan, even though it is on neutral territory. Now it is going ahead, but it is not clear what side will represent India with a trip to the Caribbean looking likely for the senior team in September which could clash with the England Tour.
India meanwhile will return to England after nine years. India played nine matches over three summer tours (2000, 2001, 2002) and I fondly remember those as having been part of all of them, especially the first one in 2000 when India played FC Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and Bangladesh was a historic trip.
The Clash of the Titans series between India and Pakistan has been postponed by the London-based organisers TouchSky Sports. Officially the match on September 3 in Derby to mark the death of Haroon Jahan, Shazad Ali and Abdul Musavir, killed in the UK riots in Birmingham was postponed and with it the whole tour less then 48 hours before the teams were set to leave south Asia for the United Kingdom.
