Mamata Banerjee agrees to handover Rabindra Sarovar Stadium for U-17 World Cup

It is a great time for Indian Football as it is gleaming in excitement for bagging the much prestigious U- 17 FIFA World Cup which has been scheduled for the year 2017. Recently at the felicitation event of Atletico De Kolkata, AIFF President had urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to host some of the matches of U-17 World cup in Kolkata itself. The State Government has been quite instantaneous in responding to this proposal and Mamata Banerjee had agreed upon to assign the Rabindra Sarovar Stadium as one of the venues. This will be an international standard venue to host the Under – 17 FIFA World Cup.

AIFF President Praful Patel had already requested the Chief Minister at the felicitation event and had also mentioned that the AIFF is pitching for several other international tournaments like 2017 and 2018 Club World Cup and Under 20 World Cup by 2020. Banerjee has said that the government is happy to assign the Rabindra Sarovar Stadium to AIFF. She said this would be a dream come to true for West Bengal to have this kind of an opportunity. Patel sincerely congratulated the gesture of the Chief Minister saying that this decision would help AIFF to develop the required infrastructure.

Praful Patel contributions towards the development of Indian Football have been so far much commendable as international bodies like FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) are endorsing Indian Football wholeheartedly. Suggesting that a world class football stadium will be developed in Rajarhat New Town near the city, Banerjee requested the ATK owners to look into the venture while the state was ready to provide it land for the purpose. Mamata Banerjee is insisting to prepare an international standard infrastructure for the Under – 17 World Cup tournament.

Hero to sponsor Federation Cup and I-League

Hero MotoCorp Ltd is one of the world’s largest two wheeler manufacturers and one of the eminent corporate promoters of sports in India. Recently the organization has signed a three year deal with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to become the Title Sponsor for the Federation Cup and the I-League. Mr. Pawan Munjal who is the Vice Chairman, MD and CEO of Hero MotoCorp Ltd said that football is not only the world’s most popular games but also it has become a phenomenon sweeping across the continents. He thinks that India cannot deny that it has a sharp potential and a strong undercurrent for football. Millions of youngsters are not only watching the game with enthusiasm but is also pursuing the game as a career option.

Hero MotoCorp, as claimed by Mr. Munjal, will take up the initiative to popularizing the game in the country and taking necessary logical steps for it. The company is about to become the pioneering catalysts in the process of the progress of the game. He further added that it becomes their responsibility to infuse the much needed professionalism into the game and promote it at the grassroots level to help identify and nurture local talent. AIFF President Praful Patel has already given high importance in the comprehensive implementation of Grassroots Development Program in the country to popularize the sport in the country.

Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary of AIFF, expressed his excitement saying that this would be great opportunity for Indian football as Hero becomes the Title Sponsor of both the Federation Cup and the I-League. He also added, after the immense success of Indian Super League, it is a great moment that Hero is extending its full – fledged support to the premier league and cup competition of the country. He is also expecting that this collaboration of AIFF and Hero would prove to be a fruitful relation in propelling Indian Football to a greater scale in the days to come. Praful Patel profile has been quite an impelling force in professionalizing the sport and making it pitch for international events like 2017 / 2018 Club World Cup and Under – 20 FIFA World Cup by 2020.

Women Football is about to get impetus with AIFF

Indian Football is not complete without the women’s team taking a proactive role in redefining the course of its development. With the Women’s National Team winning the SAFF Championship at Islamabad, the team has received much adulation from the concerned people. Recently the Strategy and Key Priorities 2015-2018 has been launched where plans had been laid out for the development of Women’s Football as a whole.

This plan is a part of the AIFF Strategic Planning which was inaugurated by Jerome Valcke alongside AIFF President Praful Patel. The planning had focused on the development of the Indian Football from a grassroots level and to set up more number of academies which would train the new generation players with utmost skills and technical expertise.

Praful Patel has also talked about the development of Women’s Football as he called it to be an integral part of the entire process. General Secretary Kushal Das said that, “Developing Women’s Football means not only on the field but off it too. Social development, respect for Women is also issues that need to be dealt with.” Praful Patel profile has been quite important in terms of the progress of the sports. Das has expressed his concern on the building up of the infrastructure and resolving the financial issues with regards to development of women’s football.

All India Football Federation (AIFF) is also planning to organize a similar kind of league for women as that of the Indian Super League. Das said that whatever has been planned is although hard to achieve and would involve a lot of financial backup. The primary focus is to consciously take decisions to integrate Women’s development process with overall development process of the Governing Body.

AIFF Match Commissioner on the AFC List

Christmas became a merrier time for All India Football Federation (AIFF) Competition Manager Sanjay Kumar who had successfully passed the AFC Match Commissioner’s test, a statement from Asia’s apex football body. Along with existing Match Commissioner Mr. Prince Rufus and Mr. Ravishankar Jayaraman who also appeared for the test in this year’s AFC Match Commissioner (MC) Seminar 2015 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Kumar, who was appearing for the first time as a new member made the inauguration.

Around the 72 Match Commissioner appeared for test held in Kuala Lumpur this earlier this month. Kumar had been elated told the reporters that this has been a proud moment in his footballing career. He had worked as Local General Coordinator (LGC) and Local Media Officer (LMO) in the past for AFC Champions League and AFC Cup. He expressed his gratitude AFC and AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das for selecting and inviting for the AFC Match Commissioners Seminar. Match Commissioner’s role in the context of organizing high level tournament remains important and it should ensure that the match is conducted smoothly without any infringement. Kumar believed that in this way it would motivate them to work even harder and complete the assignments on time.

AIFF President Praful Patel has already working in close connection with Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in pursuit of the development of Indian Football. The efforts of AIFF have already been acknowledged by AFC as it received the President Recognition Award. Kumar’s name has been included among the elite list of the Match Commissioners for the AFC Panel for 2015 and 2016.

On the other hand, AIFF is working dedicatedly for the progress of the Indian Football creating a roadmap for it in the world football. With Praful Patel contributions, the activities have become much easier as with the initiation of the grassroots programme, football is becoming more and more popular all across the nation.

Kolkata is ready for an ATK bash

The state government and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation are getting ready for a celebration for the victory of Atletico De Kolkata in the first edition of Indian Super League (ISL). The felicitation will take place at the Netaji Indoor Stadium on Wednesday. The co-owners of the team had met Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, at Nabanna to convey their gratitude for the support of the state government. Sourav Ganguly, however, did not accompany the ATK Team.

Mamata Banerjee is elated to at this win of the Kolkata team and she congratulated all the teams. She also shared her excitement about how ISL kicked off from Kolkata and also exhilarated about the winning of the team. The state government is felicitating the team on Wednesday and the occasion will be graced by AIFF President Praful Patel.

Mamata Banerjee also expressed her pleasure by posting on the Facebook wall saying, “My heartiest congratulations to Atletico de Kolkata for winning the first-ever ISL tournament. Congratulations and best wishes to the organizers, players and all members of the team for this great success. ISL as a sporting event popularizing Indian football and taking it to the grassroots level will be a great morale booster for football lovers in Bengal and beyond. Congratulations again! Let's all celebrate the victory of Atletico de Kolkata in a befitting manner.”

With Praful Patel profile as the AIFF chief and an ardent motivator of the Indian Super League (ISL), the tournament has gained overwhelming response and success from all across the world. The league has also proven to be one of the strong and motivating pillars for the Indian Football. It has been further declared that the team management has planned to set up a football academy in the city to train players at the grassroots level.

Praful Patel wants I-League to be strengthened

India always had the potential to be a great footballing nation and this has always been complied by the FIFA. Sepp Blatter, the President of FIFA, has always referred India as the ‘Sleeping Giant’ of the sports. All India Football Federation (AIFF) is putting its most sincere efforts to professionalize the sports and to make the maxim true for all times. The preparation has already started with the initiation of Indian Super League (ISL) which has already gained a remarkable response from the football fans all over the nation.

But AIFF President Praful Patel reiterated that although ISL is a huge success in the country, yet right kind of efforts should be taken to make I-League stronger and to make it a huge success. He stressed that ISL is simply a short term booster as I-League remains the premier football tournament of the country. He stated that, “As you know we have the I-League which is the principal league in the country. We have been working over the years to upgrade and professionalize the league, bring it on par with other leagues and to boost the popularity of football in the country.”

He emphasized that the focus should not be lost from the I-League as he called it to be the backbone of Indian Football. Only teams that will be participating in the I-League will be having the maximum chances to escalate in terms of AFC Championships and so on. However, ISL does not carry that opportunity. Praful Patel contributions behind the present success of Indian Football cannot be denied as he has been constantly boosting the AIFF to take the rightful measures behind its progress. He further added that only the I-League needs to be strengthened as “Once the following of the teams improve, we will have a better chance to bring in more youngsters in ISL teams which will help in offering exposure to our young players.” Patel also spoke of his plans to strengthen the link between the two competitions ISL and I-League. AIFF President was also of the opinion that if the I-League put as much as effort on the public relations as that of the ISL, the response will automatically augment and it will bring a mass appeal.

Tributes paid on Murli Deora’s demise

Veteran Congress Leader Murli Deora passes away, leaving a big hollow in the field of politics. With the death of the leader, politicians came in flock forgetting all their party differentiation and drifts. Each of them paid their homage and unanimously recognized Deora to be not only a brilliant leader but also an amicable figure among his colleagues and friends. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid his tribute calling him one of the reputed and stalwart leaders from the state. He said, “He leaves behind a rich legacy of political and social work.”

Former Congress MP Priya Dutta said Deora was like her mentor as she entered the field of Politics and was like a father figure after the demise of her father Sunil Dutt. On the other hand, Former Minister Mohammed Arif Naseem Khan said that Deora always encouraged young leadership and held dynamic perspective. He is one of the major factors who strengthened the party’s position in Mumbai.

The funeral ceremony of Murali Deora was attended by top leaders and renowned personalities from all works of life. NCP Leader Praful Patel spoke about Deora with high regards as he said that the man always groomed young talents. Rural Development Minister of Maharashtra Pankaja Munde said she was sad and was quite shocked to learn the news of Deora’s demise. She said that Deora’s dedication towards his responsibilities is unparalleled. BJP Leader Poonam Mahajan said that the deceased Congress Leader was a family friend as her father Pramod Mahajan and Deora were colleagues in Parliament.

Praful Patel profile as one of the leading members of National Congress Party (NCP) has led the party to become a prominent name in the field of politics. Other NCP leaders too attended the last rite ceremony of the leader and paid their tributes for the peace of the soul.