Howrah-Hooghly Warriors earn convincing victory against FC Mednipur
Howrah-Hooghly Warriors, in their debut match in the inaugural Bengal Super League (BSL) trounced FC Mednipur 3-1 at the Howrah Shailen Manna Stadium on Tuesday. The team were trailing by a goal in the first half. Sudip Kumar scored for FC Mednipur. Howrah-Hooghly Warriors, guided by Jose Ramerez Bareto bounced back after the break. Paolo Cezar struck twice for the winners while Koustav Dutta scored one.
Aroop Biswas expresses desire to quit the sports minister’s post! CM approves
Bengal’s sports minister, Aroop Biswas, has already been in the line of fire since the Messi-mess has submitted a letter, surprisingly in a hand written letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, expressing desire to quit the state sports minister’s post. Chief Minister Mamata Bannerjee has also approved his resignation letter and decided to look after the state sports ministry till the investigation on Messi-mess at the Salt Lake Stadium ends. Bengal’s ruling party and government were left blushing after the chaos erupted at the Salt Lake stadium during the big-ticket event held for Messi. Angry fans ran amok, clashing with police, ransacking bucket chairs, banners, burnt canopies after the Argentine football star was hardly seen from the stands as he was surrounded by a mass of people, among whom Aroop Biswas was also there. Significantly, the Chief Minister has already formed a probe committee to investigate the stadium fiasco. An eight-member SIT has also been formed. Director General of West Bengal Police Rajeev Kumar has been show-caused, asked to reply to the reason behind the Police failure in keeping security at the stadium within 24 hours. CEO of the stadium Deb Kumar Nandan has also been removed from his post. Biswas would like to tender his resignation in the interest of a free and fair investigation. Biswas is one of the most trusted aides of the chief minister and a powerful figure in the Trinamool Congress. It is learnt that Ghosh got a prior information that from his sources that the Chief Minister was mulling over Biswas’s resignation.
Messi visits Vanatara wildlife, sends ‘heartfelt’ message to India!
Argentine legend Lionel Messi visited the Vantara wildlife and rescue centre in Jamnagar on Monday before wrapping up his GOAT India Tour. Reliance Industries’ Executive Director and Vantara’s founder, Anant Ambani, hosted Messi and his Inter Miami teammates at the extensive centre. The football legends stayed at the Jamnagar facility overnight, according to an ANI report. Argentine legend, in his official farewell to his Indian fans, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming love, respect, and admiration he received from fans across India. He thanked Indian supporters for their passion and warmth, and shared his hope to return to the country again in the future! After spending three unforgettable days across four cities, which marked Delhi as the final stop of the GOAT’s visit, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta welcomed football icons Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Rodrigo De Paul at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday afternoon. Along with CM Rekha Gupta, ICC Chairman Jay Shah and DDCA President Rohan Jaitley were also present at the event. The interaction between Lionel Messi and Shah was a warm exchange of gestures, with the ICC Chairman presenting Messi, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul with Indian cricket team jerseys, symbolising the convergence of two of India’s most beloved sports. Messi also received a special autographed cricket bat from Shah, making the moment a unique fusion of football and cricketing heritage. Messi was also seen kicking the ball towards the stands along with his Inter Miami teammates, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul. They were also entertained by the Minerva Football Academy boys, who were felicitated for winning the Dana and Gothia Cups recently.
North 24 Parganas start their campaign in style; Sundarban Bengal Auto FC win too
North 24 Parganas started their campaign IN THE inaugural Bengal Super League (BSL), trouncing Copa Tigers Birbhum 4-0 at Naihati Stadium on Monday. Tanmoy Ghosh, Mrimoy Mahapatra, and Kuntal Pakhihara. Coach of North 24 Parganas Gautam Ghosh said in his post-match media briefings, “The boys did not get much time for preparation. Additionally, several players who played today were newcomers. So, considering the perspective, I am satisfied with their performance.” When asked whether BSL would contribute to the development of football in Bengal, Ghosh, the head of IFA’s youth development program, added, “Time will reply to the question ultimately. But I can say, the players are getting more game-time with the introduction of this League, which is expected to help them.” In another match, Sundarban Bengal Auto FC earned full points in their opening match of the League, edging past Burdwan Blasters by 2-1 at Bolpur Stadium on Monday. Richmond and Aqueeb struck for the winners. Sundarban Bengal Auto FC Chief coach Mehtab Hussain lamented the poor ground conditions at the venue. “The ground was hard, had an uneven bounce. It was difficult for the boys to exhibit ‘good football’. Still, I am happy with three points,” said Mehtab. Significantly, BSL has introduced six-referee posting for a match where two referees are posted beside the two goalposts. Their job will be to detect ‘penalty-area’ movements and any dispute in the penalty area.
Flight delayed; Messi’s meeting with PM Narendra Modi cancelled
The much-awaited meeting between Argentine legend Lionel Messi and Prime Minister Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will not be meeting India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his New Delhi stop as part of the GOAT India Tour on Monday. Messi, who is in India on a three-day tour, had a chaotic experience at the Salt Lake Stadium during his first stop in Kolkata, but it has been smooth sailing since, in Hyderabad and Mumbai, respectively. Argentine captain’s arrival in New Delhi has been delayed after his flight was deferred due to inclement weather. In the national capital, Messi was scheduled to meet Modi and a 21-minute protocol was prepared for the same, one that was cancelled late on the day before the meeting. Modi will be travelling to Oman, Ethiopia and Jordan on a four-day visit, discussing bilateral ties between India and the three nations. “Today, I am embarking on a three-nation visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Sultanate of Oman, three nations with which India shares both age-old civilization ties, as well as extensive contemporary bilateral relations,” the Prime Minister said in a statement before leaving India. Meanwhile, Messi is likely to meet cricketer Virat Kohli, Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief of Defense Staff, General Anil Chauhan and the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, among others, during his New Delhi visit. His trip will conclude with a felicitation event at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where he will conduct a coaching clinic, followed by a meet-and-greet with young players from Minerva Academy, who won three European youth trophies earlier this year.
Suarez astounded by 13-year-old Tanishka’s nutmegging skill in Wankhede!
Despite the fact that Wankhede Stadium on Sunday was mesmerized by Lionel Messi’s presence during the GOAT tour after Kolkata, one moment stole the show. Messi indulged in passes with the girls on the pitch, and the moment unfolded when a 13-year-old Tanishka Kawade found herself with the ball at her feet. She then instinctively and fearlessly nutmegged Luis Suarez! The Uruguay World Cupper, who, along with Rodrigo D’Paul, also accompanied Lionel Messi in the tour, was seen astounded by Tanishka’s skill. His expression frozen in disbelief, before a smile slowly followed. It was a brief exchange, but one that instantly became unforgettable. For Tanishka, the moment was surreal. Later, while speaking to The Indian Express, Tanishka said, “He didn’t say anything. He just looked at me with a surprised expression. It was a great feeling because my dream was to meet Ronaldo, but I met Messi – that was also a big dream.” However, Wankhade Stadium was packed to capacity, buzzing with noise and anticipation, as thousands of ardent fans gathered to catch a glimpse of Lionel Messi. Every seat in every stand was filled, every phone held high, as the global icon made his way around the ground. For 60 kids inside the venue, it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to share the pitch with one of the all-time greats in football history and pass the ball around with him.
I-League also without a ‘commercial bidder’ like ISL!
I-League also failed to generate interest among potential investors, as the All India Football Federation‘s second-tier competition didn’t receive any bids for commercial rights in its tender, according to a report from News9 Sports. AIFF floated the ‘Request for Proposal (RFP)’ on 8th November, and the deadline for submission was 13th December. But at the time of the opening of bids on Sunday, none had landed in the federation’s lap. An indication that the tender was failing to attract any proposals became apparent when no entity attended AIFF’s pre-bid meeting on 5th December to seek clarifications. But the Federation, in its tender, set prices Rs 6 crore (I-League: Rs 4 CR + I-League 2: Rs 1.25 CR + I-League 3: Rs 75 Lakh), and also the terms and conditions, similar to those set for the Indian Women’s League (IWL). Still, the failed tender reflects that the possible bidders who have shown interest in India’s club football fraternity seemed not willing to get further clarifications. Now, AIFF officials would have to scratch their heads on how to resume the league after floating a tender till the end of its 2029-30 season, even as they have been assuring the clubs about the resumption of the I-League, also like the ISL. Companies or three-member consortia with a minimum turnover of Rs 30 crore at the end of the 2024-25 financial year were eligible to place bids. AIFF is yet to issue any statement on the matter and has very little time to come up with a plan, with half of the season already over without a match being held. I-League club officials had earlier met the Union Sports Minister to raise concerns over its organisation. The budget for its elite I-League was already reduced by Rs 4.02 crore to Rs 10.18 crore from Rs 14.20 crore in the last financial year. A separate tender for IWL and IWL 2 at Rs 3 crore attracted one bid (Capri Sports).
Messi faces the mess! Salt Lake turns fiery; why was Messi’s plan of circling the ground in a hood-open car changed?
After almost a decade, the renovated Salt Lake Stadium turned tumultuous. Nearly 45 thousand ‘madding crowd’, completely down in the dumps, burst out of anger and vandalized a major portion of the seats in the stadium’s lower tier, threw water bottles relentlessly to the ground, cracked the banners set on the galleries and finally flooded themselves to the ground, breaking the barrier! The ground was turned into a sea of rampaging spectators towards the police. A few of the police personnel even got injured. In return, police also beat them, and even photographers who were doing their duties were attacked. The reason can be assumed. The passionate fans wanted to see their hero in Lionel Messi’s first GOAT tour that started with Kolkata on Saturday, 13th December at Salt Lake Stadium. They were waiting for the legend since morning. But Messi was not visible! He entered the stadium at 11.30 sharp, coming out of a car and started walking down the pitch. Immediately after he, along with his two Inter Miami mates, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, began to walk, a chunk of people, consisting of security, officials, and a section of the organizing team, surrounded them like a beehive! And despite repeated announcements to free the ground so that the spectators could see him, they never left the pitch! According to sources close to West Bengal Police, plans had been made to arrange a hood-open car for the legendary footballer who was supposed to circle the stadium ground before walking down the pitch and participating in a brief session with the kids who were waiting for their hero since Saturday morning on the ground. Why was the plan changed, and under whose instruction? One of the police officers revealed on condition of anonymity, “Rehearsal was also made on Thursday and Friday. Two hood-open cars were arranged. One was scheduled to take Messi, and Chief Minister Mamata Bandopadhyay, also invited to the function, was supposed to circle the ground. We do not know how it changed in the eleventh hour.” Messi, who unveiled his 70-foot iron statue virtually from the hotel on Saturday morning, was also supposed to watch the exhibition football match, which could not be played for more than 15 minutes. He was supposed to stay at the stadium for one hour, but he was there for only 14 minutes! Shah Rukh Khan, also invited to the function, could not step in. Amidst the furious fans’ agitation across the stadium complex, seeking a refund of the high-priced tickets, King Khan returned after waiting for around 20 minutes. Director General of West Bengal Police Rajeev Kumar told the media during his post-event briefings, “Organizer of the Messi’s GOAT tour Satadru Dutta has been arrested. He has also given in writing that all the spectators will get refunds. Chief Minister has set a two-member committee for the investigation of the event, as it was a big chaos.” Chief Minister, who also had to return before entering the stadium, has sought an apology to the crowd, to Lionel Messi in her tweets. But, football-loving Kolkata had already suffered a face-losing by that time!
Aneek Dhar composes a song for Lionel Messi; The Kolkata singer thrilled to perform on stage in front of Lio
Kolkata singer Aneek Dhar, who earned prominence in a music reality show, is mesmerized to have obtained the opportunity to perform in front of Lionel Messi on stage on Saturday during the Argentine legend’s visit to Kolkata. Dhar, speaking to Parallel Sports on Friday, revealed, “I have composed a song for the legendary footballer exclusively, which I will deliver in my performance on Saturday.” When asked about his feelings, the 35-year-old singer said, “I am speechless. Lionel Messi is like a god. Not only as a footballer, I feel Messi can be an ideal example as a human being, too. I am thankful to Satadru Dutta, the organizer of this GOAT tour, for giving me the opportunity.” Dhar has not yet thought about what he would say to Messi if the opportunity comes for a handshake. “I do not know what I will say to him. I might be hypnotized.” Dhar is aware of the language barrier as Messi speaks Spanish or Portuguese. “I only know how to say ‘hello’ in Spanish. Still, I will do homework, try to speak a few more words if I get a chance,” said Aneek Dhar.
ISL clubs send strong reply! seek amendment in AIFF constitution in the next AGM
All ISL clubs, except East Bengal, have sent a strong reply to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) telling that the discussions of hosting by the consortium set by the clubs themselves would only be purposeful if two crucial articles in the AIFF constitution, Article 1.54 and 63 are not amended at the earliest. The letter, sent on Thursday, comes a day after AIFF’s Deputy Secretary General, M. Satyanarayan, wrote to the clubs asking for a call to explore the possibility of jointly hosting the league, to which the reply reads ‘deflects responsibility onto the Clubs while simultaneously citing constitutional restrictions as justification for the Federation’s inaction’. The Article 1.54 and 63 pertain to the power of authorisation of ownership of the league and its entities, both of which are owned by the AIFF. “The Clubs remain open and committed to working with the AIFF towards a club-led model, consistent with global best practices. However, for such a model to be financially and operationally viable, Clubs must have commercial flexibility—including the ability to attract sponsors, investors, and long-term partners,” the letter, written by Vinay Chopra, the director of Mohun Bagan Super Giant, on behalf of all clubs, read. “This is not possible until the commercially restrictive clauses in the AIFF Constitution are amended or removed. Without this change, no sustainable league structure can be built, regardless of good intentions.” The letter also has mentioned that If the process of finding out a suitable commercial partner through the initiative of AIFF, Union Sports Ministry and the clubs after amendment of the two said articles fails, then Federation may hand over the long-term rights of the league to the clubs, who are prepared.
