Sreebhumi FC ends losing streak; Coach wants consistency in the final phase
After two consecutive defeats, Sreebhumi FC returned to a winning streak with a 3-0 triumph against Garhwal United in the IWL at Kalyani Stadium on Tuesday morning. The match was delayed for almost an hour due to heavy fog. Toijam Chanu drew first blood for the winners in the 56th minute, while Anju Kayenpoibam doubled the lead in the 79th minute, and Anju Tamang struck the third one in the 91st minute. Sreebhumi FC fielded their first foreign defender from Ghana in the match. She did not frustrate the management in her debut, although the coach Sujata Kar said, “She has just arrived. Naturally, she will take time to settle. I am expecting she will be able to deliver her best in the second phase of the League.” The club management has reportedly planned to rope in a foreign striker and midfielder for their campaign in the second phase of the League. The team’s coach, however, revealed, “We have a quality forward line. So I do not need a foreign striker. Till now, I am happy with the Ghanaian defender.” When asked about the team’s performance in the first phase, Kar asserted, “I am not much bothered about our show in the first phase. Rather, I am eying the second and final phase. We need to take off with a consistent show there to win the title.” Sreebhumi, now in fourth spot with nine points from five matches, appears determined to secure three points with a win against NITA FA in their next crucial group league match. Sreebhumi is currently fourth in the table; gaining three points would bring their total to twelve, which could move them into the top three by the end of the first phase, depending on other results. Considering the importance of the match, the team’s Technical Director, Shukla Dutta, feels, “NITA has been consistent so far in the League, and their India international, Pyari Xaxa, has scored in all of their matches so far. So, I feel, she is the key player to be noticed,” said Dutta. The coach, however, explained, “They have been consistent. Still, performance varies in every match. So, I should not be specific that NITA will be able to carry out the same performance as they did in the previous match. I will see their Tuesday’s match and then only design our plan and assess who among them can be the key player against us.” Due to the Indian women’s team’s participation in the under-20 and senior Asian Cup Women’s championship, IWL will take a two-month break and resume on 20th April. Sreebhumi FC will have to release 11 footballers for the under-20 and senior Indian women’s preparatory camp.
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.
NITA FA’s winning streak continues; Shreebhumi FC on a winning note too
NITA FA’s winning streak continues as in their second match of the Indian Women’s Super League (IWL) on Saturday, the Odisha team humbled Kickstart FC of Karnataka 5-0 at Kalyani Stadium. India international Pyari Xaxa was, as usual, in good touch, scoring a hat-trick. Togolese international Amiratou N’Djambara and Neha Sillay scored one each. NITA’s national coach, Paromita Sit, although satisfied with the girls’ performance, said, “It would have been better if the team had obtained at least a month for intensive training. Still, they have been improving gradually.” Paromita praised Pyari Xaxa also for her consistency despite the fact that she had to travel the whole night by bus from Odhisha to Kolkata on the day before NITA’s opening match against Gukalam FC, as she was not initially allowed by her employer, Odhisha Police, to take part in the ongoing IWL. However, in another match on Saturday morning at the National Centre of Excellence (NCE) ground, Shreebhumi FC edged past debutant SESA Goa Academy to maintain their winning line. India international Anju Tamang scored the winner in the 20th minute.
AIFF struggles to survive with Rs 19.89 crore savings! A ray of hope with sponsorship for IWL and the government’s promise
Is Indian football nearing a financial downfall? According to a report from Khel Now, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has only Rs 19.89 Crore in its savings account, which the organization can use freely, not the illusory amount of Rs 50 Crore! In the AGM, held on 20th December, AIFF has shown that it has a fund of Rs 50.57 Crore. But in reality, the number looks fantasy! The truth is that the AIFF has a bank balance of Rs 19.89 Crore, which it can use freely. It has a fixed-deposit of Rs 21. 63 Crore, which s locked in and also has nearly Rs 10 Crore which belongs to Fifia projects! The money granted by FIFA cannot be freely used as it comes with strict conditions. The federation still projects an approximate deficit of Rs 23 Crore by 31st May this year. Along with this, if the unpaid bills and liabilities are added, the deficiency goes to Rs 25.88 Crore! One of the senior AIFF executives, when asked about the issue by Parallel Sports, divulged on condition of anonymity, “Yes, the AIFF is going through a severe financial crisis. Still, we are optimistic that the situation will change.” Despite the struggle, the ongoing Indian Women’s League (IWL) has got an investment of approximately Rs 3 Crore. But the Federation has to bear the whole expenses of the Santosh Trophy, which goes to approximately Rs 4 Crore. If sponsorship cannot be obtained, then the AIFF has plans to go for cost curtailment, and in that case, a couple of age-group tournaments, which were introduced a couple of years ago as a part of youth development programs, may be stopped for this season. However, the AIFF seems to have a ray of hope amidst the dwindling present, that the Union Sports Ministry has promised to come forward for the training of the junior and men’s junior national teams, even financially, who have earned qualification for the Asian Cup main round.
Tanzanian defender and Kenyan forward key to debutant Sesa FA’s show in the IWL
Among the eight teams competing in the Indian Women’s League (IWL), Sesa FA is the debutant, the fifth Goan club, and the first after a two-season gap. IWL is starting on 20th December. The team will begin their campaign on Saturday against fellow promoted side Garhwal United at the National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata. The side has roped in two experienced foreigners, Tanzanian defender Diana Antwi and Kenyan forward Omita Bertha, and they are likely to be the key footballers to bolster the team’s performance in the League. Both have represented the IWL sides Sethu FC and Gokulam Kerala FC, respectively. Along with them, eight Goan talents are also part of the squad, and the rest of the squad is comprised of players from across the country, many of whom have represented national teams at various age groups. Team’s chief coach, former India international Nicholas Rodrigues, sounded optimistic despite her girls taking part in the League for the first time. Rodrigues disclosed his key purpose is to instill a sense of belief among the girls. The coach believes that if there is steadfast support, then the results will follow. While Sesa will face tough challenges from the experienced IWL campaigners, Rodrigues promises the players who are already excited to have earned qualification for the elite IWL are ready to deliver their best.
Amidst refusal to ISL, IWL gets a bidder for this season!
Amidst the stalemate when ISL is stuggling to have a bidder, Indian Women’s League, the AIFF-organized franchise-based women’s football’s league has at least received single bid from Capri Sports in response to its tender to monetize the commercial rights of the first and second divisions of the Indian Women’s League (IWL) for five years. The bid comes in the wake of a failed tender for the top-tier men’s football tournament, Indian Super League (ISL). The AIFF’s three-member Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) will now examine the documents and is likely to make an announcement in the next 48 hours. The bidder has already made an investment in women’s football and recently acquired Rudra FC, now named Warriorz FC, which takes part in the Mumbai Football Association-organized Women’s Premier League, with former India captain Aditi Chauhan as the mentor. The AIFF is also likely to consider the ‘conflict of interest’ issue while allowing Capri Sports to join the IWL as the major investor. The AIFF had stipulated in its RFP that the bidder should have a net worth of Rs 30 crore at the close of the 2024-25 financial year. The selected bidder will have to pay Rs 3 Crore annually to the AIFF as ‘governance and development’ fees. The next edition of the IWL will be played in two phases, with the opening phase being held centrally in Bengal between 20th December and 6th January next year. The league will take a break to allow the national teams to prepare for the AFC Asian Cup, AFC U-17 Asian Cup and AFC U-20 Asian Cup, before the second phase kicks off on 20th April.
