India U-16 boys gear up for Nepal Test

KATHMANDU, September 21, 2017: After an impressive three-nil victory against a strong Palestine in the first match of AFC U-16 Qualifiers, India U-16 stay cautious in their approach when they take on hosts Nepal at the Halchowk Stadium on Friday (September 22, 2017).

“There's no room for complacency,” Coach BibianoFernandes said. “Nepal are a strong side and we know each other with both teams having played in the recently concluded U-15 SAFF Championship final,” he added. “They will be backed by a partisan crowd and it will be a challenge for us.”

"Everybody saw what we're capable of but we can't afford to be complacent,” he reiterated. “We had an ideal start in the tournament but the target is far away. We aim to continue the winning momentum and prefer to take one match at a time,” he stated.

Bibiano also mentioned that India wouldn’t start as the favourites even after getting the better of their rivals twice in the recently concluded SAFF U-15 Championship. "We won't have any advantage over Nepal. Although we beat them twice recently, it won't have any effect on tomorrow's game and everyone should start afresh."

He vented his confidence on his squad and showed his faith for “creating quite a few opportunities against Palestine.”

"At times we were shaky the other day but at the end of the game, we won the game convincingly. I have full faith in my squad who have created so many opportunities throughout the game."

Meanwhile, Nepalese coach Sunil Kumar Shrestha showed his utmost respect for the Indian side. “India have been going through a good phase right now and they were clearly the deserving champions in the SAFF U-15 Championship,” Shrestha mentioned. "We will try to play our natural football to spoil their party tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, Nepal went down fighting by a solitary goal to Iraq in their first match of the Group D.

Preparations on for Prime Minister Cup U-19 Football Tournament

Patna, April 21, 2017: The CAPF U-19 Football Tournament for Prime Minister Cup will be held at the Patliputra Sports Complex's outdoor stadium here from May 1 to 12.

This is a talent hunt tournament which is being organised by Sashastra Seema Bal Frontier, Patna.

Bihar Football Association secretary S Imtiaz Hussain said eight boys and as many girls teams would take part in the championships.

For making the tournament a grand success, SSB DIG Sudhir Kumar, Commandant Manoj Kumar and HVK Singh inspected the ground, indoor hall of the complex and hostel on Friday.

They have asked the complex authorities to prepare the ground and provide basic amenities in all hostel rooms.

Siwan girls clinch Bihar State Women’s Football crown

Patna, April 14, 2017: Siwan clinched the 11^th Bihar State Women's Football Championship for S Ejaz Hussain Cup defeating West Champaran through an extra time goal 1-0 in Begusarai on Friday.

Amrita Kumar scored the match winner in the 4^th minute of the extra time after both the teams locked goalless in the regulation period.

The match began in fast pace as both teams were seen looking for opportunity to open the account. Both the teams applied their best in the first half utilizing their wings but the elusive goal eluded them. The first half ended 0-0

The second half too saw impressive football from both the teams. Siwan had some upper hand but their forwards failed to convert some opportunities into goal.

After the barren second half, 10-10 minutes extra time rule came into force. Amrita Kumar latched onto ball near the West Champaran post and shot it perfectly into the rival goal to make it 1-0.

The later part of the match saw West Champaran girls striving hard to score the equaliser but that went in vain.

Begusarai district magistrate Md Naushad Yusuf, Begusarai Superintendent of Police Ranjeet Kumar Mishra, Bihar Olympic Association and Hockey Bihar secretary Mushtaque Ahmad, Bihar Football Association secretary Imtiaz Hussain and other officials witnessed the final match and later gave away the prizes.

Begusarai team got the fair play trophy.

Referees: Md.Ashfaq Alam, Madhu Kumari, Roshan Gupta and Niraj Kasishap

West Champaran enter Bihar State women's football final

Begusarai, April 12, 2017: West Champaran reached the final of the Bihar State Women's Football Championship for S.Ejaz Husain Cup defeating Sitamarhi 3-1 in the first semifinal here on Wednesday.

Manish Kumar opened the account for West Champaran in the 4^th minute. She struck again in the 17^th minute to take the tally to 2-0.

Ritika  Kumari increased the lead for West Champaran in the 35^th minute to make it 3-0 while Sangita Kumari scored a lone consolation goal for Sitamarhi in the 73^rd minute to make it 1-3.

Roshan Gupta, Ashfaque Alam, Madhu Kumari and Md Karrar were the officials for the match.

In the second semifinal to be played on Thursday, Munzaffarpur will take on Siwan.

West Champaran girls blank Nalanda

Begusarai, April 10, 2017: West Champaran trounced Nalanda by 8-0 in the 11th Bihar State Women’s Football Championship for S Ejaz Hussain Cup here.

Ritika Kumari netted a hat-trick of goals in the 3rd, 19th and 29 minutes. Soni Kumar too scored a brilliant hat-trick finding the target in the 45th, 48th and 79th minutes.

Ashu Kumari (11th minute) and Nirmala Kumari (65th minute) were the other scorers for the winners.

In another match, Muzaffarpur beat Saran 1-0 through a 52nd minute goal coming from the boots of Komal Kumari.

On April 9, Katihar tamed Purnea 2-0 through Priyanka Kumari’s brace of goals in the 35th and 67th minutes.

In another match, Sitamarhi beat Khagaria 3-1.

Sangita Kumari put Sitamarhi up in the 39th minute while Palavi Kumari increased the margin in the 45th and 60th minutes. Neha Kumari reduced the margin for the losers in the 70th minutes.

Sambalpur Academy prove too good for Raj Milk

Patna, March 31, 2017: Sambalpur Academy (Odisha) beat Raj Mlik Football Club 3-1 in the opening match of the All India Bihar Cup Football Tournament at Patliputra Sports Complex here on Friday.
Earlier, East Central Railway General Manager DK Gayen inaugurated the tournament. Former Bihar Minister and MLA Shyam Rajak was present in the opening function. Boy Singh, Amarendu Chakraborty and Vikas Soni scored for the winners while Koko reduced the margin for Raj Milk.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

RK Steel Siwan storm into semifinals

Patna, March 27, 2017: RK Steel Siwan thrashed Chakradharpur Sporting Club 4-0 to enter the semifinals of S Ejaz Hussain Memorial Football Tournament at New Police Lines ground here on Monday.
Noor Ali (52nd minute), M Singh (62nd minute) , Kenba (63rd minute) and Dili Ram (64th minute) were the scorers for winning team.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Bhiwani-Kohima showdown in Subroto U-17 girls final

Kohima school vs Mizo High School 

Assam vs Daman match 

New Delhi, October 8, 2016: The Girls Senior Secondary School from Bhiwani will take on Sports School from Kohima in the final of the Under-17 Junior Girls at the Dr. Ambedkar Stadium on October 10.

In the semifinals played at the same venue today, the Haryana girls outscored Umthli Secondary School from Meghalaya with an 8-0 verdict while a solitary goal from Nenneiuah in the 51st minute saw the Nagaland girls take their appointed place, beating Government Mizo High School (NCC) from Aizawl.

In fact, the contrasting semifinals one could witness a proper game plan devised by the Bhiwani girls against their Meghalaya rivals. Attacking from the word go, they had a complete control over the match as was evident from the deep inroads they made. On the other hand, the girls from Meghalaya, on a tight leash, failed to pierce through strong defence of Haryana.

Rajini Bala and Tamanna struck within a minute of each other in the fourth and fifth to surge ahead. Then Nisha and Sushma followed suit in the 17th and 18th minute to swell their tally and before the teams went for break Nisha struck once more as Haryana led 5-0. After return, Nisha hit the target twice for her four goals and Smiksha completed the rout.  

GOA, HARYANA IN BOYS QUARTERS

A brace from Utkarsh helped the Haryana Boys defeat the Madhya Pradesh School 2-0 and secure a quarter-final for them in the U-17 Junior Boys section. In another match Goa spite drawing goalless with Arunachal Boys, squeezed into the quarter-finals to complete the first set of line-up.

The first quarter-final in the Dr. Ambedkar Stadium Meghalaya will clash with Haryana and in the second, Army Boys will meet Goa.

H Elias High School from the East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya and the Army Boys Coy from pool C, having already qualified, went through the formalities of completing their pool engagements in pools A and C, yet again stamped their authority against Krida Prabodhini, Pune and Mamta Modern School, Vikas Puri. Their 4-2 winning margins were of mere academic interests.

These matches did not arouse much interest except providing as practice games for the winners. For Meghalaya, Mahesh Singh, Seimingthang (2) and Santosh Singh scored while it was Vishwanath and S.K. Jawwad who scored for their rivals at the Ambedkar Stadium this morning.

Th Premjit, Dip Majumdar (2) and Bishal Chhetri (2) were the goal-scorers for the Army Boys and Shubham and Danish fired in for the Vikas Puri outfit.

In other inconsequential poolA matches, Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School, Chandigarh beat Maharana Pratap Sports College (Uttarakhand) 3-1, Modern School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi IPSC downed Govt. Sr. Sec. School, Lakshadweep 2-1.

Colombo team outplayed

Similarly, unimportant matches in pool C at NWC, Navrachna International School, from Gujarat humiliated Defence Services College from Sri Lanka 8-0 even as the State Sports Academy, from Nagaland downed St. Javier Higher Sec School from Chhattisgarh 2-0. 

Surprisingly, every opponent consistently outplayed the boys from Colombo who had failed to even draw a single match, let alone winning one.

In pool D, Sainik School struck as many as five against The Air Force School, New Delhi, to complete another formality. Ujjwal, Indra Kumar (2), Zabeth and Thunagama scored the goals. In an afternoon match, BSL+2 High School from Bokaro (Jharkhand) thrashed NLC Boys Hr Sec School, Neyveli (Tamil Nadu) 6-0, thanks to Mangal SingMh three strikes along with Kipgen, Michael and Nima Rinchen.

The boys from Chandrapur High School (Assam) bamboozled 17 times their rivals in pool B with no reply from the Coast Guard Public School from Daman and West Bengal’s North Parganas schoolboys beat Kerala 1-0.

Winning is the only motive for Delhi Dynamos FC in Hero ISL 2016

Chennai, September 5, 2016: Delhi Dynamos Football Club, the Delhi based club of the Hero Indian Super League is all set to kick off their 2016 season from tomorrow. North India’s only club from the Hero ISL, Delhi Dynamos F.C. will take on defending Champions Chennaiyin FC on the latter’s home turf, Marina Arena, on October 6.

 Delhi Dynamos F.C. popularly referred to as ‘The Lions’ have been through a successful pre season in England and Sweden under the abled guidance of Head Coach Gianluca Zambrotta, the prolific midfielder who won the 2006 FIFA World Cup as a player for Italy.  The Italian great would be assisted by past team mate Simone Barone along with Raman Vijayan and Shakti Chauhan as their Indian counterparts.

 The Lions who started their pre-season tour on high becoming the only HERO ISL team till date  to have played against the first team of an EPL side, when they lost 1- 0 to West Bromwich Albion FC, in a highly competitive match. Delhi Dynamos FC then moved on to Sweden for a three match pre season preparation and returned home with one draw and two magnificent wins against Swede clubs BK Hacken, Assyriska, Skene IF respectively.

“We have worked very hard and I am glad that we saw some favorable results from this hard work in our pre season exploits in England and Sweden. The team has gelled in well and they are playing as a cohesive unit and that’s what gives me a huge confidence, as we get ready to kick off our season against the defending champions tomorrow. Our aim is to win and give in our best on the ground and each one of us will take the field with that in our mind,” said Gianluca Zambrotta, ahead of the Dynamos first clash of the season.

While retaining French Legend and Champions League Winner Florent Malouda as their Marquee Player, the primary new additions for this season have come in the form of defensive re-enforcements. Ruben Gonzalez and Marcos Tebar, two defenders who partnered Sergio Ramos in the centre of Real Madrid’s defense in their day have been brought in to shore up the spine. Gonzalez, a giant in the air at 6 feet 2 inches was part of the Galacticos Era of Real Madrid where he won the Champions League as well as La Liga.

David Addy, an attacking fullback who won the Taca De Portugal with Porto is another addition and will play on the left side of Dynamos defense. With strength in depth being the deciding factor of the competition, Delhi Dynamos F.C. have retained Anas Edathodika in defence while adding Lalruatthara, Lalchhawnkima and Chinglensana Konsham. Souvik Chakrabarti, a versatile midfielder who is also adept as a full back, gives the manager options galore as the games come thick and fast. 

The only addition to the goalkeeping department consisting of Sweeper Keeper Toni Doblas and Sanjiban Ghosh is Soirem Poirei, who has displayed excellent form prior to the tournament.

The creative hub of the team in midfield and attack has seen some wholesale changes this season. While Malouda is expected to dictate the heartbeat of the team, he will be assisted by the Defensive Minded Ibrahima Niasse of Senegal as well as the Brazilian trio of Bruno Pelissari, Marcelinho and Emerson Gomez de Moura. The likes of Milan Singh and Denson Devadas are also involved in this hub of creativity.

 With pace on the wings being one of the greatest weapons of the modern game, fan favourite Richard Gadze of Ghana returns to the club after a stint with HJK Helsinki whom he, among others, represented in the Europa League. He will be joined by former NCAA Star Kean Lewis, along with his Badara Badji, Arjun Tudu and the 20 year old revelation in Rupert Nongrum.

 A look at the setup of the entire squad suggests a very well thought out strategy, based on a solid defense combined with breath taking pace on the counter. With almost two players for every position, and one of the youngest average ages of the tournament at 26 years, Delhi Dynamos F.C. have strategically placed themselves in a position where the rigors of the season leaves the team mostly unaffected.

 Club President Prashant Agarwal, who has been instrumental in the growth of the side, has put forward a confident prediction for his team who, by his words seem to be chomping at the figurative bit! 

“The entire squad has been eagerly waiting for the League to start. The team has assimilated into a very cohesive unit and with the right mix of experienced and youth players, I am confident that we will make heads turn this season. Winning is our only goal and we can't wait to take the field and return victorious. We are confident of a great start to the Hero ISL 2016 and look to roar our way to a great win in the opening match against the Chennaiyin F.C.”, said Mr. Prashant Agarwal, President, Delhi Dynamos F.C.

However marquee Player and Skipper Florent Malouda has a different take to this season and says, “The schedule this time around is a bit different and we start with two away games. I think we need to be really focused to win three points against the champions of the last season in our first game.”

The Champions League Winner believes that the key to a good start to the season well would be a mix of discipline and concentration, while keeping an open mind.

 The game, a battle of wits between two World Cup Winners, teammates and moreover friends in Gianluca Zambrotta and Marco Materazzi should provide an interesting battle of wits, with camaraderie expected to disappear once the ball gets rolling.

Press release

All-win record puts Bangla team in Subroto Cup quarterfinals

Jharkhand vs Madhya Pradesh match

New Delhi, September 19, 2016: In a battle for supremacy in pool B, the boys from Bangladesh Krida Siksha Protisthan (BKSP) walked out of the Ambedkar Stadium with all guns blazing, having grabbed the lone quarterfinal spot in the 57th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament here today. They posted an all-win record in the league stage, keeping their reputation intact.

BKSP join teams from Manipur, Jharkhand and Afghanistan in the quarterfinals to be played tomorrow. In the first match, Pinjabati will take on BKSP while in the second, it will be between Utkramit High School and Esteqal Afghanistan and both knockout games will be played at the Ambedkar Stadium.

In their last pool engagement, BKSP defeated The Air Force School (TAFS) 8-0 to edge out Ashoke Nagar Boys Senior Secondary School from 24 North Parganas (West Bengal) who beat Holy Spirit Institute from Margao (Goa) 2-0. What weighed in favour of BKSP was the 3-2 triumph over the West Bengal schoolboys yesterday.

Morsalin and Usuf Ali scored a brace each for BKSP while A. Rehmat, Abbdul Kader, Mohammad Rakib and Tuhidul Islal struck a goal each to complete what a routine a winning habit for the team. On the other hand, S. Afzal and Arindam Roy scored for the West Bengal squad in their match against Goa.

In these one-sided pool B matches, Bangladesh boys outscored in every match, making them a real contender for title. But it remains to be seen how well they fare tomorrow in the quarters where they will take on the boys from Manipur. No doubt, both have the wherewithal and how they face the crunch situation—they were never in trouble against their opponents so far—will push one of them in while the other out.  

In other inconsequential matches both at Ambedkar Stadium and NWC grounds, St Xavier’s Higher School from Chhattisgarh scored 16 times without getting a reply in pool D, MSP Higher Secondary School from Kerala, helped by Shigil’s brace, beat Kendriya Vidyalaya (Gorakhpur) 2-0 in pool C while Utkramit HS from Jharkhand, having already qualified, completed the formality when they downed Emerald Heights International School from Indore 6-0.

For Chhattisgar, Neel Bhushan Singh struck seven times, while contributes came from Akash Lakra, Rahul Kumar Gupta, Arsridul Moha, B.S. Rajawade and Salimon Toppa. For Jharkhand, Ratan Hansda hit target four times, including a hat-trick, while Rahul Hembrom and Chhutur Kisku opened their accounts.

With the school from Punjab not reporting for the tournament, AFBBS were given walkover in pool D. Joydeep Gogoi, with another hat-trick, did well for the Betkuchi outfit from Assam against the Government School from Lakshadweep, with Shakti Moran joining the party in yet another inconsequential game.

Photo and release Subroto Cup committee 

Manipur, Jharkhand seal quarterfinal berths

New Delhi, September 18: Pinjabati High School (Sandakhong), Manipur, scored yet another easy 5-0 win over The Cathedral & John Connon School (Mumbai) to top group A and grab their quarterfinal berth in the 57th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament here today.

In the match played at Ambedkar Stadium, the boys from Manipur showed a glimpse of what they are capable, not just in the league stage, but in the later stage of the tournament.

The authoritative way in which they played against the Maharashtra side, it was a lesson for others to learn as their strikers knew how to keep relentless pressure which only aided their cause. H. Nong’s brace along with strikes from Rakesh, Th. Nani and Prenzchandra’s just sealed the fate of the Mumbai squad which had no clue to stop their rival’s surge.

Utkramit High School, Jharkhand who got a walkover from Car Nicobar also qualified for the quarterfinals booking their place from Pool C.

Car Nicobar despite giving their entry did not make their appearance from Day 1.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Krida Siksha Protisthan staked their strong claim with a 3-2 win over Ashoke Nagar Boys School from 24 North Parganas in pool B. If they manage another win tomorrow over TAFS, they should make the quarterfinal cut. For the Bangla side, Mohammad Rakib, Abdul Kader and Mohammad Habibur fired in a goal each while S.K. Abdul struck a brace for the losers.

Joydeep Gogoi’s hat-trick, the first ever this year, helped Assam’s Betkuchi High School beat Reliance FYC from Mumbai 3-0 in a Pool A game at the NWC, while in pool C Kerala’s MSP Higher Secondary High School (Mallapuram) overcome Madhya Pradesh’s Emerald Heights International School (Indore0 5-0 and Delhi’s Air Force Bal Bharti School earned their first win in pool D when they convincingly defeated Sri Lanka’s Kurenagala Defence Services School 13-0.

With pool D topper Estegal from Kabul having already qualified for the quarterfinals, AFBBS win today must utmost serve as a consolation for the Delhi side, but the Mallapuram school’s win over Indore boys would give the Kerala school some satisfaction as it, the winners a couple of seasons ago, has a reputation to maintain. However, the win for the team has come too late in the tournament to undo the earlier damage.

If Mohammad Hanua, Vyshav (2), Vipin and R. Santosh scored for them, it was Manav, Utkarsh, Saksham, Rayad and Pratick scored with Manav striking it rich with the maximum for AFBBS.

Even Joydeep’s hat-trick may well be considered only as a personal milestone as Betkuchi’s triumph at NWC would not take them any far bettering their average as Manipur’s Pinjabati High School is all at ease with four successive wins.  

Sikkim’s Namchi Sports Hostel downed The Air Force School (Subroto Park) 5-0 in another inconsequential match with Sairose Chetteri contributing three goals while P. Yanzen and substitute S. Guruang finishing it in style.

Photo and release Subroto Cup committee 

Bihar thrash Andhra Pradesh in Junior National football

Patna, February 4, 2016: Bihar beat Andhra Pradesh 5 - 0 in the Junior National Football Championship for Dr BC Roy Trophy in Bilaspur today.

Lakpa D Mukta opened the account for Bihar in the 12th minute. Prdaeep Dora increased the lead in the 22^nd minute.

Bihar captain Sunil Chettry made it 3-0 in the 32^nd minute. Bihar were leading 3-0 in the first half.

Amman Kumar scored a goal in the 54^th minute to make it 4-0 while he Amman again found the target in the 74^th minute to complete the tally.

Now, Bihar will take on Maharashtra on February 7.

BRC, FCI win

Patna, December 7, 2015: Bihar Regimental Centre (BRC) outplayed City Athletic Club 6-0 while FCI prevailed over GRPF 2-0 in the Patna Senior Division Football League at the Sanjay Gandhi Stadium here on Monday.

Shamu Hembrum slammed a hat trick of goals (15, 23, 56th minutes) for BRC. Gulshan Kumar struck a brace in the 8th and 19 minutes.

At the breather, BRC were leading 4-0. Dil Bahadur Thapa completed the tally in the 71stminute (6-0).

In the second match, Abhishek Kumar Choudhary opened the account for FCI in the 59th minute after a barren first half play. FCI earned one more goal in the 68th minute  to take the tally to 2-0.

City Athletic Club trounce Raj Sagar

Patna, December 6, 2015: City Athletic Club blanked Raj Sagar Football Club 3-0 while Rainbow held Eleven Star Mokama to 1-1 draw in the Patna Senior Division League at the Sanjay Gandhi Stadium here.

Raji Kumar (30), Sajjan Kumar (45) and Prashant Kumar (55) were the goal scorers for City Athletic.

In the second match, Satyam Raj put Rainbow 1-0 up in the 33rd minute while Parneet Kumar equalized the score in the 62nd minute for Mokama team.

Mathematician Anand wants to support Bihar football

Patna, December 5, 2015: Renowned mathematician and Super 30 director Anand Kumar visited U-17 coaching camp organized by Bihar Football Association (BFA) at the Sanjay Gandhi Stadium here. BFA secretary S Imtiaz Hussain accompanied Kumar.

Kumar also played football with the probables of the U-17 team.

Addressing the players Anand Kumar said he was ready to extend all possible help for the development of football in Bihar..

FCI post lone-goal win

Patna, December 4, 2015: Food Corporation of India (FCI) scored lone-goal victory over City Athletic Club in the Patna Senior Division Football League at the Sanjay Gandhi Stadium here on Friday.

Mahadev Soren netted the match-winner in the 15th minute of the game.

BRC humble FCI 6-1 in Patna Senior Division Football League

Patna, December 3, 2015: Bihar Regimental Centre (Danapur) thrashed Food Corporation of India (FCI) 6-1 in the Patna Senior Division Football League at the Sanjay Gandhi Stadium here on Thursday.

In a one-sided affair, Shamu Hembrum struck a brace of goals in the 7th and 12th minute to put BRC up 2-0. Gulshan Kumar scored a goal in the 35th minute to make it 3-0.

At the breather, BRC were leading 3-0.

FCI were able to reduce the margin in the 54th minute when Mahadev Soren slotted home (1-3). 

Shamu Hembrum was on the target again in the 57th minute to take lead to 4-1. In the later part of the match, Vibhishan pumped in two more goals (71st and 78th minutes) to complete the tally 6-1.

Photo caption: BRC and FCI players vie for the ball in Patna on December 3, 2015.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui

Super Challenge Inter-School Football Tournament in January

Patna, December 3, 2015: Track Social Welfare Society will organise Super Challenge Inter-School Football Tournament here in January next.

Society secretary Naveen Chandra said organising committee would provide jersey to participating teams free of cost. Attractive prizes would be given to winners and runners up besides the glittering trophies, he added.

He said Pankaj Kumar would be the organising secretary while Patna Football Association's assistant secretary Manoj Kumar would be the tournament director.

He said interested teams might contact National Sports (Darpan Hotel), Lodipur (Patna) for entry and other details.

King Pele to attend Subroto Cup 2015 final match

New Delhi, September 7, 2015: In what could be the most glorious moment for Subroto Cup in its history of 56 years, the greatest football player of all time, Edson Arantes do Nascimento a.k.a. Pelé would be attending the final match of the 2015 edition on 16th October 2015 at New Delhi as a Special Ambassador for the tournament. This is the first time ever that ‘The Black Pearl’ would be visiting the capital of India.

The organizers of the tournament, Indian Air Force, shall be hosting Pelé on 15th October and 16th October 2015. Pelé shall attend a dinner reception on 15th October in the presence of personalities from the sports, entertainment and business worlds. He will also watch the final match of the Subroto Cup 2015 to encourage the participants of the tournament and inspire millions of young football players across the country. To add to the joy of Pelé’s fans, Santos FC, the club where he spent nearly 20 years of his career, will also participate in the tournament.

Confirming the news, Pelé said,” I am looking forward to meeting the young footballers participating in the Subroto Cup and celebrating the world’s greatest sport with the children of India.  I am impressed with the hard work that the Indian Air Force has put in to nurture such a big and important football competition that brings the youth of this beautiful country together.  I hope my visit will inspire these champions of tomorrow”.

On behalf of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha PVSM AVSM VM ADC said, ‘PELÉ’, the greatest football player of all time, will be visiting India for only the second time, after a gap of 38 years for the grand finale of Subroto Cup, scheduled on 16 October 2015.  The whole country, and the Indian Air Force in particular, is extremely delighted to have the presence of this great football legend”.

He Continues, “Pelé is a legendary name who has inspired almost 3 generations of football lovers and we are looking forward to welcome him to our country. This is our priceless gift to not only the participants of Subroto Cup but also to the passionate followers of the sport across the nation. We hope that his presence and words of wisdom encourages everyone to work for the progress of the beautiful game”.

“All this initiative was made by the Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society in association with its football consultancy partner Libero Sports India, who shall also be working with various other stakeholders to ensure that Indian Football is able to gain as much as possible from the experiences of Pelé.”

About Pelé:

On October 23, 1940 in Três Corações, in a city in the Minas Gerais state of Brazil, a legend was born.  Today, in a world of 7 billion people soccer is the foremost sport and Pelé (Edson Arantes do Nascimento) remains at the center of “the beautiful game” – where he is universally recognized, respected and revered in every corner of the globe. 

Pelé stared his professional career at the age of 16 for Santos Futebol Clube, a club he stayed with for nearly two decades.  In 1958, he won his first World Cup for Brazil at age 17 – the youngest winner ever.  He went on to win another two World Cups in 1962 and 1970, making him the only person in the world today with three Jules Rimet trophies to his name.  Not only is Pelé the all-time leading scorer of Santos FC and Brazil national team, but he is the all-time leading scorer in the history of the sport (1283 goals in 1366 matches).

In 1974, Pelé came out of semi-retirement to sign with the New York Cosmos for the 1975-1977 seasons and led his teams to the 1977 NASL championship.  After his final career match on October 1, 1977 in front of more than 75000 fans, Pelé shouted, “Love! Love! Love!” and urged his audience to pay attention to the youth of the world.  Pelé will never forget where he came from and has a never-ending desire to give back.

From his humble beginnings, to his unmatched athletics feats, to his post‑career influence and impact on every continent - Pelé lives with great honor and pride of his birth place (Três Corações means Three Hearts) in that, “Where I was born, where I grew up and where I played football- they given me three hearts too”.

Named on the “Top 20 Most Important People of the 20th century” (Time Magazine) and “Football Player of the Century” (FIFA), Pelé today maintains his commitment to the sport and to society by fulfilling various roles as spokesperson, ambassador and philanthropist.

About Subroto Cup: 

Subroto Cup International Football Tournament is conducted by the ‘Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society’ (SMSES) in New Delhi every year under the aegis of ‘Indian Air Force Sports Control Board’, since 1960.  This is a unique tournament, wherein the champion school teams from every Indian States and Union Territories participate and vie for the top honours of Junior football in India.  Having started the tournament in 1960 with 50 schools from Delhi, today, as many as 32,000 schools across the country participate in this tournament.  So as to further the objective of the Society to ‘encourage football at grass roots’ and to provide international exposure to our budding footballers, foreign participation is also ensured in this tournament.  As a result, teams from Brazil, Indonesia, Ukraine, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Israel, Bhutan, UAE and Uzbekistan have participated in this tournament in the recent past.

About Libero Sports India:

Libero Sports is a full service professional athlete representation and corporate consulting company serving the global football industry through its offices and experts located in the emerging football markets throughout the world. Headquartered in Chicago (USA), Libero has main offices in Delhi NCR (India) and Tokyo (Japan) along with individuals based in Central America, Europe and Korea. 

Press release

Junior Army Football Club Lucknow beat Tata Football Academy 2-0

Junior Army Football Club Lucknow beat Tata Football Academy 2-0 and qualified for the quarterfinals of the 4th All India Football Tournament for Bihar Cup at the Moinul Haq Stadium in Patna on March 20, 2015. In another match of the pool B, State Bank of Travancore defeated Bihar Regimental Centre, Danapur 1-0.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui