Players appeal to FIFA to step in and save Indian football!
A group of country’s leading footballers have released a video titled ‘Save Indian Football’, highlighting the miserable state of the sport in the country at the moment. Significantly, through their video that has already gone viral, the footballers have also made appeal to the world football’s ruling body FIFA and the association of world footballers’ association, FIPRPO, requesting their intervention to save Indian football from its present deplorable condition. The ISL, which ideally should have begun last September, is yet to kick off due to the lack of a commercial partner for the league. “It’s January, and we should be on your screens as part of a competitive football game in the Indian Super League. Instead, here we are driven by fear and desperation to say aloud something that we all know. But more importantly, we are here to make a plea. The Indian football government can no longer fulfill its responsibilities. “We are now staring at permanent paralysis. This is a last-ditch effort to save what we can. So, we are calling FIFA to step in and do what it takes to save Indian football. We hope this message gets to the powers that are in Zurich. “This call is not political. It is not driven by confrontation, but by necessity. It might sound like a big word, but the truth is that we are facing a humanitarian, economic, and sporting crisis. Of course, we need rescuing at the earliest. “Players, staff, owners, and fans deserve clarity, protection, and, more importantly, a future. We just want to play football, please help us do it,” said the video, which features Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Suresh Singh Wangjam, and Amrinder Singh among Indian footballers, while Carlos Delgado, Hugo Bumous, and Michel Zabaco are the overseas players who have spoken out. The letter sent to the AIFF-appointed three-man committee on behalf of the clubs has stated that the AIFF should take up the financial responsibility for organizing the league in the absence of a commercial partner. The clubs said they are open to a meeting on January 3 to follow up on the matter.
Jammu and Kashmir cricketer accused of ‘separatism,’ called for questioning by police!
Jammu and Kashmir cricketer Furqan Bhat has been accused of ‘separatism’ after he was seen sporting a Palestine flag on his helmet during a local cricket match. Furqan Bhat has also been called in for questioning by the J&K Police for sporting the Palestine flag. Furqan Bhat’s action garnered attention after videos and pictures of him batting with a Palestine flag sticker on his helmet during a match in the Jammu and Kashmir Champions League in Jammu went viral. The Jammu police have already sought clarification from the cricketer and the tournament organizers. “One cricket player and organizer of the tournament has been called for questioning by J&K Police regarding the use of the Palestine flag on his helmet during a cricket match at a private tournament in Jammu,” the Police said. The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) has already distanced itself from the whole incident, claiming that the Jammu and Kashmir Champions League is not an authorised league and that Furqan Bhat is not affiliated with the board. The Jammu police are trying to find out the reason why Furqan Bhat was sporting the Palestine flag. They have not made any official comment on the possible reasons.
Martyn is recovering well, says his friend Adam Gilchrist
Former Australian Test batter Damien Martyn is showing “positive signs” after being hospitalized in an induced coma with meningitis, his former teammate Adam Gilchrist said. The 54-year-old, who played 67 Tests between 1992 and 2006 and 208 one-day internationals, fell ill while lying down last week before being rushed to hospital. He was diagnosed with meningitis—an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. “Thank you, everyone, for the heartfelt love and wishes and care for Damien as he goes through a challenging time,” fellow Test great Gilchrist said during a Big Bash League game broadcast on Thursday evening. “He’s still in the hospital. There’ll be more details coming out as they come to hand, but certainly in the last 24 hours, some positive signs are the indications coming out of the various tests he’s having.” Support and prayers for Martyn are being poured all-over the cricket fraternity across the world. Former and present cricketers also including former England captain Michael Vaughan and Indian greats Ravichandran Ashwin and VVS Laxman are sending prayers through their X-accounts respectively. Known as one of the game’s most elegant stroke-players, Martyn became a key figure in Steve Waugh’s all-powerful Australian side, hitting 13 centuries and averaging 46.37. He was also part of the Australian team that won the 2003 ODI World Cup, cracking 88 not out in the final against India in a match-winning partnership with Ricky Ponting. Martyn retired in 2006 during the Ashes series and had kept a low profile since.
Vengsarkar condemns Agarkar and Gambhir for ignoring Sarafraz
Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar has lashed out at the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee for repeatedly ignoring Sarafraz Khan, despite the Mumbai batsman’s consistent performances in domestic cricket. Sarfaraz recently hit 157 off 75 balls for Mumbai against Goa in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, helping Mumbai surpass 400 runs. While speaking to The Times of India, Vengsarkar expressed shock over the decision to leave out Sarfaraz from all formats, highlighting his contributions whenever given a chance by the selectors. “You know, the thing is, it’s really shocking for me that he is not picked up in any format for India, when he has been doing so consistently, even for India, also when he got an opportunity. I watched him and Devdutt Padikkal batting together against England in Dharamshala. It was a crucial session. They batted beautifully and forged together an important partnership, which ultimately helped India win the Test match,” said Vengsarkar. The 69-year-old also criticized the team management for not giving Sarfaraz a single opportunity during the 2024/25 tour of Australia, describing the decision as a “real shame.” “And after that (home series against England), he didn’t get an opportunity (to play another Test). Of course, he was on the tour of Australia (the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy), but he wasn’t given a chance at all, and that really baffles me, because he’s a good enough player to play in all formats of the game. Such a talent has been ignored and neglected. It’s a real shame!” the former India selector added. In 2024, Sarfaraz made his Test debut under Rohit Sharma’s leadership at home against England in February. Since then, he has made 371 runs in six Tests at an average of 37.10, striking at a healthy 74.94, with a century and three fifties in 11 innings and a best score of 150.
