Mar - Apr 17 Issue

Photo credits : Nilanjan Dutta

Congratulations FC on winning the I-League 2017 President’s Corner

Congratulations Aizawl on winning the I-League. Their story has been a fairy tale. We have been talking about Leicester City but Aizawl achievement is nothing less. They have gone from strength to strength in this league and Khalid Jamil should take full credit for this. His team has been mentally strong and has churned out results when the time came. Aizawl’s victory is a victory for the whole of North East which has been a nursery for football talent for over 3 decades now. Our players have been going outside the state to give their services to the big clubs in , Calcutta and now Bengaluru but with the rise of Aizawl and Neroca (who also look destined to qualify for the I-league) our players can be at home and follow their passion beside earning a living.

The Indian national team also started off their Asian Cup qualifying campaign with an away win. Though the win wasn’t the most convincing one the boys should take a lot of heart from it and prepare better for the next match which I believe is at home. A win would mean 6 points in the first two matches which would be a huge step towards qualifying for the 2019 Asian Cup in Dubai. The team is very talented and hard working. Honestly I don’t see any reason of not qualifying for the Asian Cup. I wish Coach Stephen Constantine and his wards the best for their quest for UAE 2019. Their qualifying would give a huge boost to Indian Football.

The season end is coming and we are planning on an exhibition match to generate some revenue for our association. We will use this money to fund the coaching camps which our members run generally for under privilege children in various parts of the country. Would request you to come forward and support us for this game. The AFC B license will also be conducted in June and there are only a few spots left so please register asap. These licenses are conducted by the association on a subsidized budget especially for the players. Please take the opportunity and finish your badges as fast as you can. For registering, get in touch with Siddhartha (+91-9830379888).

The season is ending and for any contract issues please get in touch with our office. We are there to help you and would request you to approach us for any problems on or off the field. We will be supporting you provided you are right and honest. Call Cyrus (+91-9830999436) or Siddhartha (+91-9830379888) for any issue. They are there to help you out.

Congratulating Aizawl for their I-League championship and redefining Indian football. The Fed Cup will now be all the more interesting especially with the big guns missing out on the league. Would wish luck to all the teams and hope that the best one wins it. Till the next time. Cheers .

Fairplay 02 Bengal lifts 2017.

Bengal today lifted the Santosh Trophy for the 32nd Bengal, thus, ended a six-year wait having last won the time after Manvir Singh struck in the 119th minute for title in 2011. Goa last won it in 2009. a 1-0 win over Goa, extending their domination in the premier domestic football tournament. Goa, who had hosted the tournament thrice prior to the 2016-17 edition, lost to Bengal in the semifinal in 1972 After playing out a goalless 90 minutes, Manvir finally and the final in 1996, while won against in 1990. came good in the dying moments of extra time to leave the home crowd shocked at the GMC Stadium. We congratulate the whole Bengal team and Coach Mr. Mridul Banerjee for an outstanding tournament Entering the title clash on the back of some impressive and bringing back the Santosh Trophy to the Mecca of outings, Manvir was kept quiet for a major part of the Indian football. match but with barely seconds to go for the final whistle, he found the target with a stunning left-footer.

Playing in front of a vociferous home crowd, five-time winners Goa tried their best and controlled the match, but ran out of steam in the extra time. The hosts had their chances to score but the rival keeper pulled off some great saves.

Fairplay 03 Interview of Rupert Nongrum midfielder Shillong Lajong and Dynamos.

FPA I : What are your earliest memories of football? How did you start playing the game? RN : My earliest memories of football are with my childhood friends on the streets and in the muddy fields. The experience was even better when it rained. I started playing the game since I was 5 but never took it seriously. It was in school when I was in class 6 that I got selected to play for my school team and started becoming serious about the game .

FPA I : You have been in Shillong from the time you started playing football. Enjoying your stint here? RN : Yes I have been with Shillong Lajong since I started playing and I have enjoyed my stint with the club. I have worked with various coaches and everyone has contributed immensely to my career here. I am what I am today because of Shillong Lajong.

FPA I : Delhi Dynamos team had a fantastic season in the ISL. Tell us your experience playing under someone like Gianluca Zambrotta and sharing the dressing room with someone like Malouda. RN : Playing for Delhi Dynamos in ISL 3 was one of the best experiences for me. To play under an world cup winner Gianluca Zambrotta and having teammates

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like Malouda is special .From watching them play on television to sharing the same dressing room as them was the probably the greatest experience of my life.

FPA I : You are still pursuing your studies. How do you balance studies and professional football? RN : I am currently waiting for my BA final year results so I have finally finished my studies haha. Football is my bread and butter but i feel that it is also important to have a back up plan and at least have a graduation degree. I have always managed my time well and studies with football was not really difficult.

FPA I : How would you rate your performance this season? Shillong finished 5th in the i-league after a strong start. What would be the plan going into the ? RN : Personally I feel I have improved a lot after my stint in the ISL. Having said that I know I have miles to go as footballer. I would like to keep improving every day and would like to keep working hard. Going into the Federation Cup we would of course like to do well. We know our limitations and would give every team a fight.

FPA I : What do you do when you aren’t playing football? RN : When I’m not playing football I like to hang out with my family and friends,listen to music,play video games with my brothers.

FPA I : Tell us a bit about your family. RN : My dad is a business man and mom is a housewife.I have 3 younger brothers .All 3 of them are still pursuing their studies.

FPA I : Where do we see you in the next ISL season? Planning to continue with Delhi Dynamos RN : I haven’t planned anything honestly. I still have a contract with Shillong Lajong and would respect their decision when it comes to ISL.

Fairplay 05 Interview of Beikhokhei Beingaichho, forward Bengaluru FC

FPA I : How did you start playing football? BB : I started playing football at a very early age in my home town. I would kick the football around with the kids from the locality and slowly started getting serious. I kept playing in different age group tournaments in and around my home town and got a call from the IFA Academy in .

FPA I : What brought you to George Telegraph all the way from Mizoram?

BB : As I mentioned I joined the IFA Academy in West Bengal at a young age and kept training there for the next three years. Once I was in the academy the only thing I wanted to be was a professional footballer. When I graduated George Telegraph who were playing the CFL wanted my services and I didn’t hesitate.

FPA I : You are in Bengaluru since 2013. What keeps you going here?

BB : Their professionalism. For me they are best club in the I-League and I have enjoyed my stay here. This club has given me some great memories and experiences and I will always cherish them.

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FPA I : Bengaluru FC went all the way to the AFC Cup final last year. How was the experience ?

BB : It was a great experience. You play against some of the top teams in Asia and there is so much to learn from every game. When you play a tournament of that stature you learn on and off the field. Of course having said that we were bitterly disappointed not to win the trophy after going all the way but this year we will give our best again in the competition and try going one up from the last time and win the trophy. It is not going to be easy at all but we believe we have the quality and fighting spirit to go all the way again.

FPA I : Aizawl FC are the I-League champions. How is the feeling since the team is from your home state ? BB : Well to start off with I would like to congratulate them. It has been a massive effort from a team which operates with such little budget. I am really happy for them and wish them the best for the upcoming seasons also. Mizoram football has been on the rise for the past few years and Aizawl winning the league will be another shot in the arm for the budding footballers from the state who dream to make it big at the national level.

FPA I : Are you disappointed missing out on the ISL? BB : Of course. Very disappointed since I was in the draft and wasn’t selected because I had a knee operation prior to it however I am hoping next season I will be playing in the ISL.

FPA I : Where do we see you next season? Planning to continue in Bengaluru?

BB : My contract expires soon with Bengaluru so I haven’t decided where I really want to go. As of now I am working hard and want to play many matches for the team so that I get good offers once my contract expires.

Fairplay 07 Interview of Mridul Banerjee

FPA I : Tell us about your playing days. Where it started & FPA I : When did you start coaching ? Tell us about the past what was the highest point? club you have coached. MB : In the year 1976, I started my football life as a Striker and MB : I completed the Coaching Course of Sports Authority of a Central Mid-fielder in Aurora Athletic Association, in 1989 and obtained First Class. After that in then a 2nd.division club in the Calcutta Football League. 1990 I started a coaching camp in my local area at Tala That year I was the ‘Highest Scorer’ with 2 hattricks. Park. In 1991, I joined Greer Sporting club as their head Even then I did not get any place in the U-19 squad of coach. The club was in 2nd division Calcutta league at the Bengal team for reasons unknown to me till now. In that time. In 1992, I joined the International Preliminary 1977, I signed for Calcutta Port Trust, the Giant Killers Coaching Course of the Football Associattion of & a balanced side in Calcutta Premier Division League. England and obtained Result with excellent remarks in The same year I represented Calcutta University team all the subjects. I came back from England and joined in the Inter-varsity tournament as Captain and again I Bally Protiva Club which plied its trade at the Calcutta represented India University team as Vice-Captain. I first division at that time. My first big assignment was was adjudged ‘The Best Player of Calcutta University’ with Mohammedan Sporting Club as their head coach and awarded ‘The Chancellor Trophy’ along with in 1998 and that year, Mohammedan beat Mohun ‘Gostha Pal Gold Medal’ for the first time. I continued Bagan. Other than that I have worked with the Bengal with Calcutta Port Trust in 1978 switched to George U-21 team and even the Indian age group teams. Of Telegraph the following year and in November,1979, course this year I was the head coach of the Bengal joined State Bank of India as a footballer. It was my team which won the Santosh Trophy after 6 years. first job in my career as a footballer & I am still working in SBI. For 1980 football season, I was chosen to sign FPA I : In recent times, you have had success with for Mohun Bagan, but unfortunately on 24th.Febtuary, Mohammedan Sporting Club & then also with the 1980, I received a serious right leg injury (Tibia fracture, State Football Team. Tell us about the experience Patella fracture associated with tear of ligament) please & finest moment in football. at the All India State Bank Football Tournament at , Tamilnadu. I recovered and went on to MB : I am really satisfied with my work in Mohammedan and play for George Telegraph and Sporting Union in the Bengal team which won the Santosh Trophy. When I later years joined Mohammedan last season people said that the

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team will get relegated but we finished runners up FPA I : What is your hobbies besides coaching ? above mighty Mohun Bagan and even beat them in the league. The Bengal team too didn’t get off to the best MB : My hobbies besides coaching are listening to music and of starts and It’s always tough to win against a team collecting stamps. like Goa when they are playing at their own ground. The greatest moment would be beating Goa on their FPA I : You have heard of the Football Players Association of home soil and lifting the Santosh Trophy. India. Any message for the FPAI. MB : FPAI is working as the representative of Indian footballers FPA I : You have seen the infrastructure of Indian football. and doing a good job. But please work for the benefit of What are your comments? How & Where can it be those who are yet to come into the limelight. improved for the better? MB : There are so many areas where we can improve. But what hurts me is that we lack proper playing grounds in India. Young children need proper grounds to develop their skills and we hardly have any of that. We can only get better players if children get the proper infrastructure which is only there in a selected few places.

FPA I : Tell us what you see as the strength & weakness of Indian players. MB : We have very good players, but we are lacking behind in technical & tactical aspects. If each player is good tactically and technically, then automatically the team will play better football.

FPA I : You are a gentleman in this sport. Tell us how you manage & handle the pressure ? MB : Here in India, every gentle Indian faces a problem. Here gentlemanly behaviour is taken as a weakness. In regard to football coaching, here those who use slang language are judged as a strong personality and can control players which I do not agree on. In the professional world, both Professional ethics & demands will be there. As a coach, my work is to train players and players must act and respond accordingly. If a coach has knowledge about how to manage then he can easily manage every sector related to football.

FPA I : What are your views on the ISL vis-a-vis I League ? MB : In my opinion, India needs 3 tier National League to involve every state in football. When every state will join more enthusiastically then India will get more talent through mass participation.

FPA I : Who is your favourite Coach & favourite Player ? MB : I have two favourite coaches & two favourite players. My favourite Coaches are both Spanish, one is Vicente del Bosque and the other one is Pep Guardiola. My favourite players are none other than Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta.

Fairplay 09 Interview of midfielder Chennaiyin FC and Aizawl FC

FPA I : Is winning the I-League for Aizawl the biggest JR : It was very difficult initially. The food, the weather, and achievement of your career? the culture everything is totally different from . I am thankful to the people of the club, the local players, JR : It has to be one of the biggest in my career for sure. and the backroom staff for helping me to adjust here. The feeling is great. It is so special winning the league Also the people in Aizawl are warm and friendly which for Aizawl because no one thought we will win the helped massively. I am thankful to the whole of Aizawl league. We battled against all the odds to achieve the for making me feel at home here. impossible. FPA I : Khalid Jamil is being worshipped as a cult hero here FPA I : What convinced you to come to Aizawl FC? in Aizawl. What does he bring to a team he coaches? JR : It was Khalid sir who convinced me to come here. When JR : I don’t think any other person in the team deserves this he offered me a place in the team I didn’t even think trophy more than Khalid Sir. Yes he is a hero in Aizawl twice. I packed my bags and arrived in Aizawl. and why shouldn’t he be. He has done the unthinkable and deserves such a status. FPA I : How difficult was it to adjust here coming from a city like Mumbai? It’s difficult to say what exactly he brings as coach because for me he is a complete coach. He knows his players

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inside out, their strong points and their limitations.

FPA I : Thoughts on your boyhood club Mumbai FC finishing last and getting relegated. JR : Its really sad. Mumbai FC has been the flag bearer of the city in football for a long time now. I feel for the fans who have always stood by the club in difficult times. I hope that they will be back soon.

FPA I : What is the mood like in the camp now going into the Federation Cup? JR : Well Khalid Sir is hard task master. The day after winning the league we had normal training. We know the Federation Cup will be a tough task but we want to win it too for the people of Aizawl. We are preparing hard for it and will fight for every ball on the pitch.

FPA I : Do we see you coming back to Aizawl next season? JR : Honestly I haven’t decided on anything but would love to come back here. I have got a lot of affection from the people here and I enjoy playing here.

FPA I : What is your message for the Aizawl fans? JR : I would thank all of the supporters of Aizawl from the bottom of my heart. It wasn’t possible to win this league without them. I would love to keep playing here and winning more trophies for these fantastic fans.

Fairplay 11 Interview of Ranjit Bajaj, owner Minerva Punjab FC.

FPA I : What prompted you to invest in an I-League club forward more players for the Indian National Teams. when the ISL is being deemed to be the future of Our Senior team will continue to strive to represent Indian football? Punjab in the top division of Indian Football thereby providing a future for the footballers of North India. Ranjit : Being a footballer player myself I saw the need for a platform for the talent of the great region of Punjab FPA I : Punjab has seen steady decline in the number of to Shine. Until now players from Punjab had to go all footballers playing the national circuit over the over the country in search of employment. I wanted the last decade or so. Your thoughts? graduates of Minerva’s Youth development program to stay inspired and focus towards their goal of playing in the top division through Minerva Punjab FC. I wanted to have representation from Chandigarh/Punjab/North Ranjit : The decline in players from Punjab is a direct India on the national scene in an effort to bring forward consequence of the shutting down of the only more talent from the region that gave us the greats of professional club from Punjab i.e. JCT Football Club. Indian football like Jarnail Singh and . The footballers saw no future and most of them took up government jobs, changed careers or sports. Minerva has brought about a revolution and resurrection of FPA I : Your thoughts on the ISL and I-League merging. football in Punjab. By providing the footballers a future Ranjit : Its a good idea and the way forward for Indian Football we are ensuring a steady stream of talent coming in but only if there is promotion and relegation. If its from Punjab. going to be just the select few elite clubs playing in a exclusive league then its no good for development of FPA I : Minerva didn’t have a great season and finished Indian football. second from the bottom of the table. What according to you went wrong this season? FPA I : As the owner of Minerva what are your long term plans for the club? Ranjit : We were informed just 10 days before the start of the I-League that we would be participating. We barely Ranjit : Our long term plans are to become one of the prier had time to put together a team let alone enough time youth development academies in India and the world. for them to have a few practice sessions together. We will continue to work towards our mission to bring The start of the season was rough for us, our first

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four matches were all away and then we came home and the football, Minerva also runs a thriving to meet East Bengal in our first home match. It was Club and Academy under Minerva Academy Cricket a baptism by fire for our young lot but as the season Club. MACC has produced many players for Team progressed they started gelling well together as a unit. India and the IPL since its inception in 2003 including Infact we remind unbeaten in the I-league throughout Barinder Singh Sran, Gurkeerat Mann, Manan Vohra the month of February. At the end of the league there and Siddharth Kaul to name a few. Other than this I also was not much of a difference between the last 5 teams run an Wildlife Conservation NGO and a Dog rescue- standing, just one more win and we could have ended rehab-adoption centre for strays and abandoned dogs up 6th! We learned a lot this season and will definitely that is a cause very close to my heart. be better prepared for the coming season. We will not disappoint the growing fan base which we have FPA I : What would be Minerva’s plan for the next season? garnered over the last season. Ranjit : We look forward to bring out more promising talent FPA I : You are always with the team when they are playing from Punjab in the coming season not only in our senior team but also in U18, U16 and U13 teams as their matches. How do you manage your time? well. We plan to spread out all over Punjab with our Ranjit : It is very very challenging to manage my time and I still grassroots programs and we want to strengthen our feel like I should be doing more. I was playing with many youth development program to have a steady stream of the boys of our senior team until 2 years ago, they of talent for our senior team. We want to put up a good trust me and having me by their side makes them more show in the I-League especially and maybe pull a few confident and motivated, and that’s enough for me to victories against big teams like KEB, MB and BFC!! make sure that I make myself available for matches. I Aizawl did what they did in their second season after have to say that the I-League has been a rollercoaster ending up 9th in their debut season too, so you just ride, it has been hard to get enough sleep, but the wins never know! and high make up for all the fatigue! I should not be compared to the other team owners; I am a player and mentor first.

FPA I : Away from football what keeps your occupied? Ranjit : Minerva Academy, our parent concern is the India’s Premier Armed Forces Preparatory institute which was set up by my grandfather Lt. Col. I S. Deol in 1955. Since its inception Minerva Academy has trained more than 35,000 officers to join the Armed Forces. I train and motivate youngsters from all over the country to join the Indian Armed Forces, I am also the COO so that keeps me busy year round. Apart from the Academy

Fairplay 13 Interview of Samir Naik, , assiatant coach and player Dempo Sports Club, Goa

FPA I : How and where did you start playing football? We were making great strides in Asia. I wouldn’t be wrong if I say we were the best Indian team for almost SN : I initially started playing football at my village with my a decade. Success came naturally to us and we friends and grew fond of the game. My serious tryst were a great group of players under the tutelage of with football came when I joined my local village team Mr.Armando Colaco. There was no reason for me to and then FC Siolim who were playing first division at leave this club which treated and paid me well. that time in the Goa league. From there I got my career defining break when I signed for Dempo Sports Club Whatever I wanted I found in Dempo. Our chairman is a Goa. big motivation for the whole team and not to forget the late Manuel Rebello who treated me and all the other FPA I : You have been a Dempo faithful all your life. What players as family. keeps you going here? FPA I : Dempo has pulled out from the top level of Indian SN : I always wanted to join Dempo as a kid since it was my football. Does this disappoint you? dream to play for a historic club like Dempo . As a club we have won everything which we could domestically. SN : As a player and fan of the club I am disappointed like any other but I am sure the club has its own reason to do the same which I cannot and do not want to comment on. As a faithful servant of the club I am available for anything the clubs asks me to do.

FPA I : You take on the tussle between the I-league and ISL. Which would be better for Indian football? SN : Both the ISL and I-League are football leagues which promote football. For me as football fan the game of football should win whichever league prevails at the end.

FPA I : You played under Stephen Constantine who has come back for his second stint as the national team coach. What are your thoughts on that? SN : Yes I have great memories of my national team days under Mr. Constantine. To start off with he gave me my break into the national team. We won a lot of trophies with him at the helm. He did a great job then and he is doing a great job now.

FPA I : How are you enjoying your stint as a coach in Dempo? SN : It is a great experience and a learning process. At the

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present moment I am an assistant coach and learning proudest moment was when I represented India for the from Mauricio Alfonso. I try to put in the knowledge first time. which I have gained from my previous coaches. FPA I : Your message to FPAI. FPA I : Tell us something about your family. SN : FPAI is our own organization and doing a great job in SN : My father and mother supported me immensely to take up keeping the welfare and rights of the players. The up the game. Throughout my career my family has current President Renedy is a good friend and under been very enthusiastic about me playing football. Their him the organization can only get bigger and better.

Fairplay 15 Photo credits : Nilanjan Dutta

Aizawl FC Celebrations

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