Pal alleges of ‘betting’ in BSL; Shocked Shrachi Sports asks how ‘law of land’ can be violated?
Sudeep Pakrashi: Sourav Pal, one of the IFA vice-presidents, has again been accused of ‘betting’ in the ongoing Bengal Super League (BSL). The key reason behind his allegation is the presence of Dafa News, which runs online betting operations as one of Asia’s leading betting companies. Pal, when asked to clarify his allegations, commented, “Dafa News is directly linked with betting, and as they are one of the brands in the ongoing BSL, match-fixing in the League is taking place.” Pal cited another example, adding, “Is it not ridiculous that after each and every League match, a penalty shoot-out takes place? Why? What is its purpose? Everything related to match-fixing!” The IFA vice-president added, “Swarup Biswas, also the vice-president, and I have both submitted protest letters to the IFA in its last Finance-Committee meeting as well as in the Governing-Body meeting, raising voices against Dafa’s presence in the League. Even Arup Biswas, the state’s last sports minister, asserted that BSL will not get the stadiums and grounds for the matches if Dafa is there.” However, Tomal Ghosal, Chairman, Shrachi Sports, when contacted for his reaction, told Parallel Sports, “First of all, betting is banned in India. So, how can the ‘law of land’ be violated? Then how does the question of match-fixing come? Secondly, the penalty shoot-out, which is being held after the end of each match, has been developed as purely a separate competition to attract viewers. It is not at all related to the results of respective matches. Thirdly, Dafa’s presence is not only here in this League, India’s one of the premier sports competitions, but Hockey India League (HIL) also has Dafa as one of its brands! It was also in the recently-concluded Kerala Pro-League.” Ghosal added, “We are upset with the allegations. Do these people who are making false allegations know that how many young footballers, debutant in the BSL, have drawn attention of the country’s several leading coaches and scouts? Do these people know that how many ISL and I-League clubs have shown curiousness on the emerging talents of BSL already? I am sure IFA is also shocked at the allegations. Isn’t it true that BSL has created the platform for those who were not at all getting the desired exposure to show their mettle?”
Now Gill, Jadeja, and Rahul will play the Vijay Hazare Trophy in January
After being snubbed in the T-20 World Cup, India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, and star batter KL Rahul are all set to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in January. The trio will join their respective teams ahead of the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, beginning on 11th January. According to Cricbuzz, Shubman Gill is expected to feature in Punjab’s matches on January 3 and 6 against Sikkim and Goa in Jaipur. Punjab, grouped with powerhouse Mumbai in Group C, currently sits fourth with two wins from three games. After playing two games, Gill will leave his state side to join the Indian team, which is set to assemble in Baroda on 7th and 8th January before the first ODI against New Zealand. Ravindra Jadeja has also informed the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) that he will play the January 6 and 8 fixtures against Services and Gujarat. Saurashtra are playing their league matches in Alur, Karnataka, and currently have one win from three games, placing them sixth in the eight-team group. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has not confirmed KL Rahul’s participation, but he’s likely to play in the January 3 and 6 games against Tripura and Rajasthan in Ahmedabad. Karnataka is second in Group A, maintaining a 100% win record from three matches. Only fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been exempted from the mandatory commitments as the BCCI is managing his workload carefully.
Australian great Damien Martyn is battling for life against Meningitis!
Former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn is in an induced coma, battling life-threatening meningitis. He was rushed to a Brisbane hospital in serious condition after falling ill on 26 December. The 54-year-old has meningitis, which inflames the membranes around the brain and spinal cord and can cause brain swelling. Former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist, a close friend of Martyn, informed the public on behalf of his family that Martyn is receiving treatment in a hospital. “He is getting the best of treatment, and (Martyn’s partner) Amanda and his family know that many people are sending their prayers and best wishes,” Gilchrist was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg also sent his best wishes for Martyn’s speedy recovery. “I’m saddened to hear of Damien’s illness. The best wishes of everyone at Cricket Australia and in the wider cricket community are with him at this time,” Greenberg said in a statement. Martyn made his debut in international cricket during a Test against the West Indies in Brisbane in 1992, scoring 36 and 15 in two innings. Then, he established himself as one of the most elegant stroke-players in Australia and went on to play 67 Tests and 208 ODIs for Australia.
Wolves end 11-straight defeat with a draw against tired Manchester United!
Manchester United made a frustrating end to 2025 as it was held to a 1-1 home draw by Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday, as the Premier League’s bottom side collected its third point of the season. Wolves brought an end to a run of 11 straight defeats in the league. They never looked like a side facing almost inevitable relegation, as it managed to derail a United seeking to break back into the top four. Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee made the most of a rare start by giving United the lead in the 27th minute, fashioning a sliver of space on the edge of the box before scoring with a shot that deflected off Ladislav Krejci. Benjamin Sesko almost made it two in the 39th minute, but he headed his effort from a corner off the post, summing up a frustrating night for the 22-year-old Slovenian. Wolves never backed down, and Krejci equalised just before the break, Zirkzee giving him a helping hand by sending a defensive header across the box for the Czech to nod back in at the far post. The tempo remained high in the second half, with Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa scrambling to prevent a header from teammate Yerson Mosquera from going into the net, while his United counterpart?Senne Lammens pulled off a superb double save to deny Krejci and Mosquera. Patrick Dorgu thought he had snatched a 90th-minute winner for ?United, but the goal was chalked off for offside following a VAR review, leaving United sixth in the standings with 30 points. Wolves is bottom with three points from 19 matches.
IOA to conduct National Athletes’ Forum to strengthen Athletes-led governance
For the first time, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is going to conduct the National Athletes’ Forum in Ahmedabad on 10th January. The forum is being conducted to engage the athletes across the country in a more active role in shaping policies to progress with their careers, welfare, and future. IOA president PT Usha said, “This is the first time in India’s sporting history that the athletes are being engaged through a dedicated national forum to directly influence the governance. This forum will indicate a decisive shift towards athlete-led reforms and accountability.” Usha added, “Sustaining excellence in sport cannot be possible without the protection of the athletes’ dignity, safety, and well-being. This forum will give the direction towards all the rights of the athletes.” MC Marykom, chair of the IOA Athletes’ Commission, welcoming the forum, stated, “Athletes know the system from inside. This forum gives us a reliable platform to speak directly and openly about the challenges and solutions which the athletes themselves can initiate.”
Kerala Blasters mull over pulling out of the ISL after Odisha FC; Clubs worried about no commercial partner and obtaining AFC slot
After Odisha FC, another ISL club, Kerala Blasters, is mulling pulling out of the country’s top-tier league, and they are reportedly planning to shut down! It is believed that the club has assessed that it could face losses of up to Rs. 40 crore if ISL runs a truncated season without a commercial partner, mainly due to no home matches, ticket revenue, or central income. Other ISL clubs also seem worried as AIFF’s centralised plan could cross Rs. 60 crore in costs. Goa leg alone is likely to be staged against the approximate expenditure of Rs. 42 crore. The clubs have to possibly pay Rs 2.5 crore each. Still, the ISL clubs seem to be worried about the fewer matches of a single-leg League and also anxious about whether the AFC will allot slots, and finally, no commercial partner has been roped in. So, the uncertainty grows as usual. Despite the uncertainty, ISL and I-League players based in Goa have reportedly been called for practice sessions. Most players based in Goa have already left to join their respective clubs.
Sreebhumi FC concede first defeat; Coach says it was a learning experience
After two consecutive wins, Sreebhumi FC conceded their first defeat in the ongoing Indian Women’s League (IWL) at the hands of Tamil Nadu’s Sethu FC by 2-4 at Kalyani Stadium on Tuesday. Liynda Kom scored the hat-trick while Abigail Antwi, the Ghanaian striker, scored one for the winner. On the other hand, Karishma Purushottam Shirvoikar reduced the margin for Sreebhumi FC, scoring a brace in the 50th and 87th minutes. Sreebhumi coach Sujata Kar, when asked about her observation, explained, “The team were shaky in the first session. They tried to bounce back after the break, but our midfield organization was not up to the mark, and it created pressure on the defense as well as the goalkeeper. I believe the defeat was a learning experience for us so that we can turn around from our next match.” Sreebhumi will face Karnataka’s Kickstart FC in their next encounter. In another match on Tuesday morning, NITA FA edged past debutant Garwal United FC by a solitary goal at the National Centre of Excellence (NCE). India international Pyari Xaxa scored the winner.
Bradman’s ‘Baggy Green’ cap, gifted to Indian all-rounder, will now be auctioned!
A ‘Baggy Green’ cap worn by Sir Donald Bradman during the 1947-48 Test series against India will be auctioned next month. For the first time, it will be available to the public in the last seven decades. More significantly, the cap has a historical value as Bradman finally gifted it to Indian all-rounder Sriranga Wasudev Sohoni during a series that was India’s first overseas tour after Independence. Auctioneers expect strong interest from collectors and institutions worldwide due to the item’s rarity and provenance. Unlike most surviving caps from Bradman’s era, many of which are preserved in museums or held in closely guarded private collections, this Baggy Green cap has never been displayed publicly or offered for sale. It has remained in continuous family ownership for more than 75 years, according to the Australian Associated Press (AAP). The 1947-48 cap comes from a series in which Australia completed a 4-0 sweep over India. During Bradman’s era, players were issued a new cap for each Test series, increasing the individual historical value of every surviving example. This cap is further distinguished by its direct association with a defining chapter in cricket history and the personal connection between Bradman and Sohoni. Lee Hames of Lloyds Auctions described the item as “a genuine piece of cricket history that Sir Donald Bradman personally gifted.” The direct handover from Bradman to Sohoni during such a significant period adds to its appeal among collectors and historians.
‘Phenomenal’ Ronaldo Nazario’s training tips to present generation of footballers!
Ronaldo Nazário de Lima, known professionally as Ronaldo, said he believes footballers now find it easier to make major improvements in the training process, especially considering the increased emphasis on physical fitness training. The phenomenal Brazilian striker stated in the World Sports Summit, held in Dubai, “Players suffer less than we suffered before because now the training is 100 times more effective than before.” One of the most feared strikers in football history recalled how pre-season training during his playing career was often rigid and physically punishing, with little consideration for positional differences or individual needs. “I was not happy doing pre-season because they put me running with Roberto Carlos, with Cafu, and they are crazy about running 10 to 15km,” he said. Ronaldo explained that such training methods were ill-suited to his role as a striker, whose game relied on short bursts of speed rather than endurance running. “I played for 20-metre, 15-metre sprints, and pre-season was the worst time of my life,” he added. According to Ronaldo, modern training methods have moved away from uniform programs and made them more specific, allowing players to train more efficiently. “If you strike, you don’t need to run like 10km,” he said. “You do that one time, and after that, you go through training specific to you.” Ronaldo added that advancements in physical preparation have reduced unnecessary physical strain compared to previous generations. “The training now is 100 times more effective than before,” he said. Now working on the administrative side of football, Ronaldo said he shares those perspectives with players, noting that training approaches must adapt to the individual. Ronaldo retired from professional football in 2011 after a career that included spells at Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid. While he did not attend university, he said his education came through football itself.
AIFF eyes centralized venue and waits for AFC slots to resume ISL
The Indian Super League (ISL) this season, even if it can be resumed, has a chance of being staged at only two or three centralized venues. With any new commercial partner yet to be confirmed, the AIFF and the clubs (seven ISL clubs attended the meeting virtually), in a scheduled meeting on Monday, spent the whole day on budgeting of the ISL this season in a new format. Along with the budgeting, which is expected to take shape in Tuesday’s meeting again, AIFF is also likely to appeal to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC,) whether they allot any slot for the ISL champions in any AFC club competitions if a single-leg League or the League is staged at centralized venue.s. Simultaneously, AFC is expected to get confirmation from the AIFF about the number of teams participating in the League this season. However, one of the AIFF officials, when asked whether it would be possible for the Federation to resume the League without the support of FSDL, revealed on condition of anonymity, “We are sure that the ISL will resume this season and it will take off from the next season.”
