Month: July 2015

Blasters to Boost Grassroots Football in Kerala

Kerala Blasters Logo

Kerala, the home state of one of India’s finest ever footballers, IM Vijayan, will soon get a much-needed boost to its grassroots football set up. Kerala Blasters, Kerala’s own ISL franchise, supported by master blaster, Sachin Tendulkar, have announced the commencement of Kerala Blasters Football School (KBFS) from August 11, 2015 in Kochi.

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AIFF Technical Director On Importance of Grassroots Football

AIFF Technical Director, Scott O’Donell, speaks about the importance of grassroots football and how it is the lifeblood of any effective nationwide football program.

Jahn Regensburg Win Against India U16s

India’s Under 16s, currently touring Germany as part of an exposure trip, lost a closely fought encounter 2-3 to German side Jahn Regensburg’s youth team. This was the first match of their two-month long tour that has been planned by newly appointed coach, Nicolai Adam, along with the AIFF. The objective is to give the boys the experience they need to compete in the upcoming  Under 17 World Cup to be hosted in India in 2017.

To read the match report, click here.

India Just Lost Another World Cup Qualifier

A call to address fundamental issues

Over the last couple of months, there has been much displeasure and discussion over India’s loss to 174th ranked Guam in the World Cup 2018 Qualifiers. Everyone, from ex-players and coaches to the guy next door, has shared opinions and theories about why a nation with 1.2 billion people lost to a country whose population is equal to that of a tiny Pune suburb (165,000).

While some have expressed knee-jerk reactions and stated that football in India has hit new lows sparking cries of humiliation, others have been more realistic and recognised that this is a young, inexperienced squad with a new coach who is looking to rebuild the national team.

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