The Bangalore District Football Association (BDFA) organized Prasanna Kumar Memorial Football Tournament gets started from Wednesday, November 25 at the Bangalore Football Stadium.
Played between the BDFA A division teams, this will be the 60th edition of Prasanna Kumar Memorial and this tournament serves as the season opening tournament for the BDFA A division teams.
A total of 16 teams are classified in four pools, the top team from each pool qualifies for knock-out round. The knock-out round will consist of 2 semifinals and a final. The final will be played on December 9.
With the artificial turf laying work gathering momentum, it is interesting to see how BDFA manages to accommodate the other football commitments lined up for the current season - a knock-out tournament for the BDFA B division teams (similar to Puttaiah Memorial Cup and Prasanna Kumar Memorial), B Division, A Division, and Super Division League.
Talking to IndianFootball.Com, one of the BDFA official said that they will act as per the guidelines provided by their parent body, Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA). It is quite possible that the BDFA league would be moved from Bangalore Football Stadium to some other alternative venues.
BDFA would get much clarity in the next weeks, when the Prasanna Kumar Memorial Football Tournament concludes.
ADE plays against Government Press in the inaugural match of the tournament.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Will ground play a spoilsport in Pune
Just when Mohun Bangan and Pune FC are gearing up for the Friday the 13th clash, the ground condition at the Balewadi Sports Complex might just play spoilsport.
Minutes after landing in Pune, the AIFF appointed Match commissioner, who will be on duty for the Friday’s match made a quick round to the stadium. He sounded positive, given the chance that no more shower is expected in the city, hopes match will be on schedule.
The drainage system is working fine. To decide the final fate of the match, match commissioner will make another trip to the ground on Friday (match day) morning. Should the weather will be bright and sunny tomorrow as it is today, then the ground conditions would be decent enough to constitute a match.
Both are teams are dying to practice at the Balewadi stadium to get accustomed with the pitch, but the weather has really deprived them.
Till date, Mohun Bagan had practiced only once in Pune, at the Bharati Vidyapeeth ground on Tuesday. Once they came to practice at the match venue, however, they could not due to incessant rain. They had to content with some indoor drills. Ditto with the host, Pune FC, they have been carrying out their sessions at their practice pitch.
Any delay in this round 8 match would call for a reschedule. Next meeting between these two teams will happen not before February next year.
Minutes after landing in Pune, the AIFF appointed Match commissioner, who will be on duty for the Friday’s match made a quick round to the stadium. He sounded positive, given the chance that no more shower is expected in the city, hopes match will be on schedule.
The drainage system is working fine. To decide the final fate of the match, match commissioner will make another trip to the ground on Friday (match day) morning. Should the weather will be bright and sunny tomorrow as it is today, then the ground conditions would be decent enough to constitute a match.
Both are teams are dying to practice at the Balewadi stadium to get accustomed with the pitch, but the weather has really deprived them.
Till date, Mohun Bagan had practiced only once in Pune, at the Bharati Vidyapeeth ground on Tuesday. Once they came to practice at the match venue, however, they could not due to incessant rain. They had to content with some indoor drills. Ditto with the host, Pune FC, they have been carrying out their sessions at their practice pitch.
Any delay in this round 8 match would call for a reschedule. Next meeting between these two teams will happen not before February next year.
Monday, November 9, 2009
ITI provides financial help to Subramanis family
Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) donated Rs. 70,000 to the family of the former Karnataka state footballer Menous Subramani.
Subramani, 44, died on August 10 after sheer medical negligence from a city hospital. Subramani was employed with ITI and incidentally, he was on the way to his office when the unfortunate event happened.
An exhibition match was organized in honor of Subramani. This match was played between the ITI veterans and Gowthamapuram veterans at the Gowthamapuram football ground. Subramani hailed from Gowthamapuram, in the Ulsoor locality in Bangalore.
Gowthamapuram has presented numerous national and international footballers and it is considered to be the breeding ground for Bangalore football. Ulaganathan, Sreedharan, and several former national players took part in this exhibition match.
Venkataramana Murthy, President of the ITI Sports Club presented the donation to the widow of Menous Subramani. Also heard from a reliable source that the hospital authority has paid a heavy price as compensation to Subramanis family.
Subramani, 44, died on August 10 after sheer medical negligence from a city hospital. Subramani was employed with ITI and incidentally, he was on the way to his office when the unfortunate event happened.
An exhibition match was organized in honor of Subramani. This match was played between the ITI veterans and Gowthamapuram veterans at the Gowthamapuram football ground. Subramani hailed from Gowthamapuram, in the Ulsoor locality in Bangalore.
Gowthamapuram has presented numerous national and international footballers and it is considered to be the breeding ground for Bangalore football. Ulaganathan, Sreedharan, and several former national players took part in this exhibition match.
Venkataramana Murthy, President of the ITI Sports Club presented the donation to the widow of Menous Subramani. Also heard from a reliable source that the hospital authority has paid a heavy price as compensation to Subramanis family.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Hamza’s brace helps BEML to lift Puttaiah Memorial Cup
BEML lifts Puttaiah Memorial Cup by defeating MEG convincingly by 2-1.
It was a difficult pitch to display spirited performance, thanks to the incessant drizzle that is happening in this part of the world for the last few days. But both the finalist teams displayed a lively game and entertained a crowd of more than 8000 fans.
Finally, it was BEML the most consistent team, who emerged as the true champion of the Puttaiah Memorial Cup by scoring a goal in each half of the match.
And yet again it was the young and energetic striker from Nigeria, Abdulla Hamza who came to the rescue for BEML. This 20-something happy-go-lucky Nigerian is trying hard to mark his presence felt in India and aspires to play in Europe.
The striker duo of Tiken Singh and Hamza combined well for BEML, coming down from the left flank, Singh’s drifting ball was gathered-up well by Hamza, he coolly beat the charging MEG keeper, and headed the ball into the net.
Prior to the goal, BEML keeper, S Rajan, thwarted a series of attacks from MEG.
MEG tried hard to comeback into the game, however, their attempt took a back seat when their left winger, Girish was shown marching order after commiting a serious offence by deliberately fouling BEML striker RC Prakash.
BEML scored the second goal in the 77th minute, play-maker Mahendra Mani’s right-footed cross was perfect for Hamza to score his 7th goal in this tournament from head.
Later, in the 89th minute, MEG reduced the margin from Ramu’s low grounder free kick.
Cash bounty for the champs
The BEML top brass who were present at the match announced a cash prize of Rs 10,000 for each player. Also, a special cash reward of additional 15,000 went to the top goal scorer Hamza and goalkeeper Rajan.
It was a difficult pitch to display spirited performance, thanks to the incessant drizzle that is happening in this part of the world for the last few days. But both the finalist teams displayed a lively game and entertained a crowd of more than 8000 fans.
Finally, it was BEML the most consistent team, who emerged as the true champion of the Puttaiah Memorial Cup by scoring a goal in each half of the match.
And yet again it was the young and energetic striker from Nigeria, Abdulla Hamza who came to the rescue for BEML. This 20-something happy-go-lucky Nigerian is trying hard to mark his presence felt in India and aspires to play in Europe.
The striker duo of Tiken Singh and Hamza combined well for BEML, coming down from the left flank, Singh’s drifting ball was gathered-up well by Hamza, he coolly beat the charging MEG keeper, and headed the ball into the net.
Prior to the goal, BEML keeper, S Rajan, thwarted a series of attacks from MEG.
MEG tried hard to comeback into the game, however, their attempt took a back seat when their left winger, Girish was shown marching order after commiting a serious offence by deliberately fouling BEML striker RC Prakash.
BEML scored the second goal in the 77th minute, play-maker Mahendra Mani’s right-footed cross was perfect for Hamza to score his 7th goal in this tournament from head.
Later, in the 89th minute, MEG reduced the margin from Ramu’s low grounder free kick.
Cash bounty for the champs
The BEML top brass who were present at the match announced a cash prize of Rs 10,000 for each player. Also, a special cash reward of additional 15,000 went to the top goal scorer Hamza and goalkeeper Rajan.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
BEML thrash HAL in Puttaiah Memorial Cup
Continuing the good run, BEML walloped their arch rival and defending champion HAL 4-2 on the semifinal encounter in the Puttaiah Memorial Cup.
The knock-out stages of the Puttaiah Memorial Cup was postponed by a week to accommodate the foundation stone ceremony for the football academy under FIFA Goal Project.
It was a derby-day of sort, the soccer-frenzy crowd in the garden city gathered in the Bangalore Football Stadium. Finally at the end of the day, the crowd got their moneys worth by watching a fast-paced lively match that experienced 6 goals.
The match strated in a lively note with both teams exchanging big hits. Once, HAL was unclucky when Xavier’s diagonal shot was not placed in the goal.
HAL draw the first blood in the 25th minute, Bimal Minz’s powerful swerving left footer found the BEML goal after a defensive lap.
Within 2 minutes, BEML scored the equalizer when a HAL defender hand-balled inside the penalty box area. Defender Alex Shamaki made no mistake in converting the penalty for BEML.
HAL captain, Xavier VijayKumar, made some neat moves from the flanks, however the HAL strikers failed to convert thre moves into goal.
At the fag end of the first half, former national player and veteran BEML striker RC Prakash who had a bad day at the office messed-up a golden opportunity. The ageing striker had to just place the ball in the open net, however, the opponent defender outran him by sheer pace.
In the second half, HAL was seen mainly attacking from the right side but failed to see a goal.
BEML took lead when Nigerian striker Abdulla Hamza scored in the 65th minute. Within 8 minutes, it was another one from Hamza, and this time, it was Manipuri Tiken Singh who provided a picture-perfect cross to Hamza.
It was Tiken again, few minutes after their 3rd goal dribbled past a couple of HAL players, and let loose a powerful shot to make the score 4-1.
HAL striker Fredrick Okwabe pulled one in the 89th minute, but by then the door was already shut for HAL.
This loss would not do any good for HAL who will be playing in the Federation Cup qualifiers at Calicut later this month.
The final of the Puttaiah Memorial Cup will be played between BEML and MEG on Sunday, November 8. In the other semifinal played on Friday, MEG defeated Karnataka State Police (KSP) by 2-1.
The gate money for today’s match went for a noble cause, in the Chief Ministers Flood Relied Fund for the recent flood that mainly affected northern part of Karnataka.
The knock-out stages of the Puttaiah Memorial Cup was postponed by a week to accommodate the foundation stone ceremony for the football academy under FIFA Goal Project.
It was a derby-day of sort, the soccer-frenzy crowd in the garden city gathered in the Bangalore Football Stadium. Finally at the end of the day, the crowd got their moneys worth by watching a fast-paced lively match that experienced 6 goals.
The match strated in a lively note with both teams exchanging big hits. Once, HAL was unclucky when Xavier’s diagonal shot was not placed in the goal.
HAL draw the first blood in the 25th minute, Bimal Minz’s powerful swerving left footer found the BEML goal after a defensive lap.
Within 2 minutes, BEML scored the equalizer when a HAL defender hand-balled inside the penalty box area. Defender Alex Shamaki made no mistake in converting the penalty for BEML.
HAL captain, Xavier VijayKumar, made some neat moves from the flanks, however the HAL strikers failed to convert thre moves into goal.
At the fag end of the first half, former national player and veteran BEML striker RC Prakash who had a bad day at the office messed-up a golden opportunity. The ageing striker had to just place the ball in the open net, however, the opponent defender outran him by sheer pace.
In the second half, HAL was seen mainly attacking from the right side but failed to see a goal.
BEML took lead when Nigerian striker Abdulla Hamza scored in the 65th minute. Within 8 minutes, it was another one from Hamza, and this time, it was Manipuri Tiken Singh who provided a picture-perfect cross to Hamza.
It was Tiken again, few minutes after their 3rd goal dribbled past a couple of HAL players, and let loose a powerful shot to make the score 4-1.
HAL striker Fredrick Okwabe pulled one in the 89th minute, but by then the door was already shut for HAL.
This loss would not do any good for HAL who will be playing in the Federation Cup qualifiers at Calicut later this month.
The final of the Puttaiah Memorial Cup will be played between BEML and MEG on Sunday, November 8. In the other semifinal played on Friday, MEG defeated Karnataka State Police (KSP) by 2-1.
The gate money for today’s match went for a noble cause, in the Chief Ministers Flood Relied Fund for the recent flood that mainly affected northern part of Karnataka.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Five-star celebration by the Mohun Bangan fan group
This Mohun Bangan Club Yahoo group, where members mostly interact via email is celebrating the record-breaking 5-goal win against arch-rival East Bengal by presenting a multi-gym equipment to their beloved club.
Many witnessed the mayhem and many have heard this incident from their father, uncles, or brothers. For whatever may be the case, it was a black day for them and their club. We are talking about that day way back in 1975, when East Bengal pumped-in 5 goals against Mohun Bangan.
For past few years, Mohun Bangan is dominating the scene, however, the 5-goal victory has always eluded Mohun Bangan.
Cut to October 25, 2009, and Mohun Bagan equals the 34-year old record of scoring fiver in a derby. This eventful day was indeed a golden letter day for Mohun Bangan fans who for ages and for generations had borne the burnt of that defeat.
Now this victory calls for a celebration, what would be a better way to celebrate than to get involved in something that will help the club!
This first and the biggest ever internet football fan group in the country is a close-knit unit that comprises fans across the globe of different age group and from varied profession.
After a quick brainstorm, the members zeroed-in on buying gymnasium equipment – an asset that will benefit the players and can be utilized in coming years.
Club management welcomed the initiative and Mohun Bangan coach, Karim Bencherifa suggested the type of the equipment needed – a multi gym, which can be used by 4-5 people simultaneously for chest press, shoulder press, sit ups, bench press, hip flexor, and various other exercises.
Mohun Bagan fans put forth the celebration idea on a fast-track. The contribution money got pulled together in a quick turnaround, in less than 48-hours, and everyone contributed for the wonderful cause.
Also, coach Karim took keen interest and accompanied the fan group members in selecting the equipment.
The celebration was successfully held in the club tent today. Club secretary, Anjan Mitra, handed over the amount to the gym-equipment vendor executive in the presence of media and many members of the Mohun Bangan Club Yahoo group.
This celebration is perhaps first only in Indian football that an internet fan group assisted their club for a cause.
The multi gym will be installed in the Mohun Bangan Club tent in a fortnight’s time.
Many witnessed the mayhem and many have heard this incident from their father, uncles, or brothers. For whatever may be the case, it was a black day for them and their club. We are talking about that day way back in 1975, when East Bengal pumped-in 5 goals against Mohun Bangan.
For past few years, Mohun Bangan is dominating the scene, however, the 5-goal victory has always eluded Mohun Bangan.
Cut to October 25, 2009, and Mohun Bagan equals the 34-year old record of scoring fiver in a derby. This eventful day was indeed a golden letter day for Mohun Bangan fans who for ages and for generations had borne the burnt of that defeat.
Now this victory calls for a celebration, what would be a better way to celebrate than to get involved in something that will help the club!
This first and the biggest ever internet football fan group in the country is a close-knit unit that comprises fans across the globe of different age group and from varied profession.
After a quick brainstorm, the members zeroed-in on buying gymnasium equipment – an asset that will benefit the players and can be utilized in coming years.
Club management welcomed the initiative and Mohun Bangan coach, Karim Bencherifa suggested the type of the equipment needed – a multi gym, which can be used by 4-5 people simultaneously for chest press, shoulder press, sit ups, bench press, hip flexor, and various other exercises.
Mohun Bagan fans put forth the celebration idea on a fast-track. The contribution money got pulled together in a quick turnaround, in less than 48-hours, and everyone contributed for the wonderful cause.
Also, coach Karim took keen interest and accompanied the fan group members in selecting the equipment.
The celebration was successfully held in the club tent today. Club secretary, Anjan Mitra, handed over the amount to the gym-equipment vendor executive in the presence of media and many members of the Mohun Bangan Club Yahoo group.
This celebration is perhaps first only in Indian football that an internet fan group assisted their club for a cause.
The multi gym will be installed in the Mohun Bangan Club tent in a fortnight’s time.
Seeds planted for FIFA Goal Project in Bangalore
The foundation stone laying ceremony for the football academy kicked-off the FIFA Goal Project in Bangalore.
This residential football academy will nurture 40-60 talented footballers at one time and the academy will be equipped with international coaches, trainers, gymnasium, and various other required state-of-the-art amenities.
In a brief but eventful function, Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa laid the foundation stone for the football academy at the Bangalore Football Stadium today morning.
Also present in the occasion were the AIFF president and Union civil aviation minister, Praful Patel, AIFF general secretary, Alberto Colaco, AIFF vice-president and KSFA president, A.R.Khaleel, several other former international football players, and distinguished dignitaries.
The AIFF president applauded the fact that the Bangalore Football Stadium is perhaps the only football stadium in India which is owned by a state association and could utilize the area for this project.
It was way back in 1975, when the Government of Karnataka granted 17 acres of land to the Bangalore Football Stadium. Even the stadiums in the football-popular states like Goa and West Bengal are either own by the state government or by the defense establishments.
Patel thanked the state government for providing necessary support to enhance the football infrastructure in the city and also requested to continue doing so.
Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa sounded cheerful and announced a grant of 5 crore for upgrading the stadium. Also, the chief minister thanked FIFA and AIFF for showing keen interest in developing football in India.
The other two venues selected by AIFF for the FIFA Goal Project are Sikkim and Andaman. Bangalore football is benefiting the most by such initiatives.
Earlier, FIFA has selected Bangalore Football Stadium as one of the venue in India for laying artificial turf under FIFA’s "Win in India with India" initiative.
The onus is now up to the state association, KSFA to create an excellent infrastructure and promote the game by nurturing talents across the state.
This residential football academy will nurture 40-60 talented footballers at one time and the academy will be equipped with international coaches, trainers, gymnasium, and various other required state-of-the-art amenities.
In a brief but eventful function, Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa laid the foundation stone for the football academy at the Bangalore Football Stadium today morning.
Also present in the occasion were the AIFF president and Union civil aviation minister, Praful Patel, AIFF general secretary, Alberto Colaco, AIFF vice-president and KSFA president, A.R.Khaleel, several other former international football players, and distinguished dignitaries.
The AIFF president applauded the fact that the Bangalore Football Stadium is perhaps the only football stadium in India which is owned by a state association and could utilize the area for this project.
It was way back in 1975, when the Government of Karnataka granted 17 acres of land to the Bangalore Football Stadium. Even the stadiums in the football-popular states like Goa and West Bengal are either own by the state government or by the defense establishments.
Patel thanked the state government for providing necessary support to enhance the football infrastructure in the city and also requested to continue doing so.
Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa sounded cheerful and announced a grant of 5 crore for upgrading the stadium. Also, the chief minister thanked FIFA and AIFF for showing keen interest in developing football in India.
The other two venues selected by AIFF for the FIFA Goal Project are Sikkim and Andaman. Bangalore football is benefiting the most by such initiatives.
Earlier, FIFA has selected Bangalore Football Stadium as one of the venue in India for laying artificial turf under FIFA’s "Win in India with India" initiative.
The onus is now up to the state association, KSFA to create an excellent infrastructure and promote the game by nurturing talents across the state.
International Football Academy in Bangalore
The foundation stone laying ceremony for the International Football Academy under FIFA’s Goal Project II will be held at the Bangalore Football Stadium on November 4.
The foundation stone for this prestigious project will be laid by Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa in the presence of All India Football Federation president and Union civil aviation minister Praful Patel and other distinguished guests and dignitaries.
The academy will come up on the Southern wing of the Bangalore Football Stadium.
The academy will be jointly managed by FIFA, AIFF, and Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) and will host international coaches, deputed by the world governing body, to train talented footballers of the state as well as from other parts of the country.
It will accommodate 60 trainees and the academy will be equipped with state-of-the-art gymnasium, boarding, lodging and a seminar hall.
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