Sukhen Dey dies only at 35 on Friday!
Sukhen Dey, a left-back who earned prominence, wearing Prayag United SC (Now United Sports) in 2011 and played regularly for the team for three consecutive seasons, died of a massive heart attack on Friday on duty at his Eastern Railway office. His age was only 35 years! Sukhen made his debut in the I-League against Sporting Clube De Goa in 2011, and then he did not look back. In the next three seasons, the defender participated in 26 first-class matches for the team. Then Sukhen switched over to Mohun Bagan’s I-League-winning squad in 2014-2015. They had played under the guidance of Sanjoy Sen in both United SC and Mohun Bagan in 2014-15. The grief-stricken coach, while remembering Dey, said on Friday, “I am stunned. He was very thin, not at all like a typical defender in appearance. But under my guidance in United SC, Sukhen had a tremendous performance against East Bengal in a match. The Australian forward, Tolgey Ozbey, was made ‘completely disabled’ by Sukhen. He stopped Tolgey’s down-the-flanks run. Sukhen had an excellent sense of the game.” Nabab Bhattacharya, also stunned with the news, said, “He played for us from the youth level. He was scouted by late Subhas Bhowmick. We were amazed to have seen his football sense despite lacking a typical defender’s physique.”
Borja Herrera leaves FC Goa due to uncertainty over ISL
Borja Herrera Gonzalez announced his exit from Goa’s ISL club FC Goa on Friday. The Spanish midfielder spent two-and-a-half seasons with the club. Borja, also the club captain, said the situation has become too anxious for him and his family, and the people in charge have pushed him to make this decision, clearly hinting at the dire straits Indian football finds itself in and the uncertainty over the Indian Super League (ISL).’ ‘Before I leave, I want to thank each and every person at this club, my wonderful teammates who are more than that—they’re my friends—and all the fans who have always shown me their support and respect,” Borja said in an Instagram post. “I’m leaving with a heavy heart because I’ve enjoyed these last two years immensely, through the good times and the bad, like these last few months where I’ve truly seen what it means to have a team that’s like a family, and who, despite the problems, have tried to come to training every day with a smile. “My family and I have been very happy, and we’re taking away many unforgettable memories of Goa. All that’s left for me to say is thank you again, and I’ll always carry you in my heart,” Borja added.
Resumption of the ISL sees a ray of hope as AIFF floats 20-year proposal to ISL clubs
The AIFF has designed a 20-season plan for the Indian Super League (ISL), in which competing clubs must pay a Rs 1 Crore participation fee under an ‘open model’, inclusive of promotion and relegation. AIFF, as well as the clubs, feel this framework could be strong and can protect the interests of both parties. Though owned and operated by AIFF as mandated in its Supreme Court-approved constitution, governance of the league would rest on a board formed with approval from its general body that would enjoy “certain operational autonomy over commercial matters”, addressing concerns over financial viability and salability. “The jurisdiction of the board would be limited to the utilization of unrestricted funds within the yearly operational budget earmarked for the same,” it was written in the AIFF document shared with clubs. Clubs displayed no reservations on the idea of a governing board, details of which would be worked out in due course. In a meeting attended by all 13 ISL clubs for the first year, the operational budget is estimated at approximately Rs 70 crore, with AIFF’s fixed revenue share being 10 per cent, with a yearly contribution of Rs 7 crore, which they will invest in their youth leagues. Clubs are entitled to 50 per cent of shares, contributing Rs 35 crore to the general revenue pool, while the commercial partner will commit Rs 21 crore. The remaining 10 per cent share is earmarked for club allocation for ‘fixed revenue share’, amounting to Rs 7 crore, which will proceed towards the general revenue pool. Clubs are willing to consider it and would engage in internal discussions to go through the nitty-gritty of operational expenses, salary cap, and protection of investment before engaging with AIFF again on December 29 to iron out the details. They would also meet a day before to finalise one among the condensed models that AIFF has presented for the stalled 2025-26 edition. In that case, the tentative kick-off of the ISL this season might take place on 5th February. Clubs had earlier proposed to AIFF a cumulative Rs 10 crore per year for perpetual ownership of the League, which was turned down by its general body after AIFF had sought discussions on joint-organisation. If hand-shakes between the clubs and the AIFF happen finally happen on December 29, AIFF needs to get it ratified in its general meeting then place the proposal before the ministry for approval from the Court, possibly on 5th January when it resumes after the winter break., clubs had a good feeling when they spoke to AIFF’s three-member committee specifically formed to find a way through on 24th December.
Virat dominates in second-match also in VHT, misses second consecutive ton!
Star India batter Virat Kohli missed a second consecutive century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. He was dismissed for 77 off 61 deliveries against Gujarat on Friday at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru. Kohli had entered the match following a solid hundred in the first match against Andhra. Kohli walked to the crease early as opener Priyansh Arya got dismissed in the second over by CT Gaja. He did not take time to settle and was seen in a scintillating mood, flashing his willow all round, and started his innings with a flurry of boundaries. He moves to 30s off just 16 balls, striking at over 190. Kohli brought up his half-century in just 29 deliveries as Arpit Rana struggled at the other end. However, as wickets fell at the other end with Arpit (10) and Nitish Rana (12 off 22) departing cheaply, Kohli had to bide his time at the crease. As a result, he had to slow down after completing his fifty, as Delhi desperately needed him to stay at the crease. He was eventually dismissed for 77 (61), losing his wicket against CT Gaja. Kohli smashed 13 fours and a six during his entertaining innings, leaving everyone at the ground enthralled.
Rohit Sharma departs for a golden duck in the second match after 100 against Sikkim!
Former India cricket team captain Rohit Sharma had to return to the pavilion with a golden duck in Mumbai’s second round match in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, against Uttarakhand on Friday. The Hitman, who announced his return to the domestic 50-over tournament after over a decade earlier this week, lasted for just one delivery before he was sent packing. Uttarakhand won the toss and opted to field first in the game at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Friday. Opening the innings for Mumbai, Rohit was caught out by Jagmohan Nagarkoti off Bora in the final delivery of the very first over. The Hitman was dismissed while attempting his favorite pull shot off the bowler. Fans, who had queued up at the stadium since 6 AM on Friday, were left disappointed by his early dismissal. In the first round match against Sikkim, Rohit Sharma showed his dominance, scoring 155 off only 94 deliveries, delighting the crowd at SMS in Jaipur. As a result, the target of 237 runs was chased down in just 30.3 overs. The former Indian captain hammered bowlers with utter disdain, slamming 18 fours and 9 huge sixes.
