The biennial youth tournament, scheduled to be held between October 11 to 30, will see the best young female footballers across the world showcasing their talents in India…reports Asian Lite News
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong is hosting a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 202 legacy initiative, the Coaches Education Scholarship Programme where 23 aspiring coaches — all females — are undertaking an E-License grassroots course to become officially certified football coaches.
This, eleventh edition of the programme, being conducted between September 4 to 7, will train participants, in both, the theoretical and the practical aspects of the game while also equipping the participating women with leadership qualities.
“Meghalaya has witnessed a boom in football among girls and women through the efforts of the Meghalaya Football Association and affiliated The district associations with the assistance of the AIFF, AFC and FIFA and we are grateful that Meghalaya has been chosen as a venue for the E-Licence course as part of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 legacy programme. We believe it will greatly aid us in our efforts to create a sustainable football infrastructure for boys and girls, men and women,” said Larsing Sawyan, President of the Meghalaya Football Association.
Meanwhile, in a joint statement, project directors of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Nandini Arora and Ankush Arora said, “It is our vision that the lasting legacy of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022 be the accelerated growth and development of women’s football. With an increase in the number of female coaches across the nation, equal participation at the grassroots can be achieved. This course, conducted in one of India’s leading football-loving regions, represents a major step in the direction of comprehensive progress of women’s football in India.”
The biennial youth tournament, scheduled to be held between October 11 to 30, will see the best young female footballers across the world showcasing their talents in India.
United Kingdom. No10 Downing Street are flying the flag of St George in support of the England Women's Football Team after reaching the final of the Euro 2022 tournament. 10 Downing Street. Picture by Kyle Heller / No 10 Downing Street
The players asked the two candidates to pledge to ensure that all girls have access to at least two hours of PE sessions each week, where football is offered…reports Asian Lite News
England’s Euro 2022 winning footballers on Wednesday urged the two candidates vying to become the UK’s next prime minister to ensure that all girls have access to the sport at school.
All 23 members of the squad, which beat Germany 2-1 in Sunday’s final at a sold-out Wembley Stadium, signed an open letter to Conservative Party leadership candidates Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, calling on their help to “create real change in this country.”
“Currently only 63 percent of girls can play football in PE (physical education) lessons. The reality is we are inspiring young girls to play football, only for many to end up going to school and not being able to play,” they wrote.
“This is something that we all experienced growing up.”
The players asked the two candidates to pledge to ensure that all girls have access to at least two hours of PE sessions each week, where football is offered.
“We have made incredible strides in the women’s game, but this generation of schoolgirls deserves more,” they wrote.
“They deserve to play football at lunchtime, they deserve to play football in PE lessons and they deserve to believe they can one day play for England.
“We want to create real change in this country and we are asking you, if you were to become Prime Minister on 5 September, to help us achieve that change.”
#NSTsports#England's #Euro2022 winning footballers on Wednesday urged the two candidates vying to become the #UK's next prime minister to ensure that all girls have access to the sport at school.https://t.co/YWftqwgKtY
Both candidates responded to the Lionesses’ call, without making any firm commitment on schoolgirls being able to play football.
Truss’s campaign responded by saying the candidate “is committed to investigating what prevents schools from delivering the recommended minimum of two hours PE per week.”
Sunak’s spokesman said he “would love to see all schools provide two hours of PE a week.”
Brazilian football legend Pele has been discharged from hospital after undergoing cancer treatment, doctors said on Thursday…reports Asian Lite News
The 81-year-old was admitted to hospital on Monday to continue chemotherapy following the removal of a tumor from his colon last September.
“The patient is in a good and stable clinical condition,” Sao Paulo’s Israelita Albert Einstein hospital said in a statement.
Brazilian football great Pele was readmitted to hospital for ongoing cancer treatment on Tuesday. The 81-year-old has undergone several sessions of chemotherapy in Sao Paulo since having a tumor removed from his colon last September, reports Xinhua.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Pele scored a world record tally of 1,281 goals in a 1,363-match professional career that spanned 21 years.
He was capped 91 times for Brazil, scoring 77 international goals
The Dubai International Sports Conference will bring together two of football’s biggest global stars, Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe, to share their experiences with the audience, reports Asian Lite News
Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, welcomed the world’s leading football personalities to the 16th session of the Dubai International Sports Conference, which will take place today, alongside the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards.
Dubai welcomes football stars
Organised under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives by Dubai Sports Council, the Dubai International Sports Conference has been bringing football’s top stakeholders together every year since 2006 for exploring ways to develop and enrich the sport at domestic, regional and international levels.
Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed highlighted the importance of the annual event, which has brought together elite players, coaches and decision makers from the world of football.
Sheikh Mansoor said: “The Dubai International Sports Conference has become a global platform for top football players, managers and training professionals to exchange perspectives on the present and future of football. It is also a platform for football’s top decision-makers to network, build relationships and share ideas on enhancing excellence in the sport. The event reflects the UAE’s and Dubai’s leadership in advancing excellence in the global sporting sector.”
The Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, also stressed on the UAE’s contributions to shaping the future of various sporting fields. “This year, we are pleased to host a new set of elite stars, whose performances have electrified football venues around the globe and brought joy to fans in every corner of the world. It is fitting that we will be celebrating their achievements at an awards ceremony at the Burj Khalifa, which is a symbol of Emirati excellence and creativity and an iconic landmark that is known all over the world.”
“On this day last year, we organised the 15th session of the Conference and the 11th Dubai Globe Soccer Award with some of the world’s biggest stars present physically and the President of FIFA delivering the opening keynote address in person. Our robust precautionary measures, which enabled us to win the trust of the world, gave us the confidence to organise the Conference and Awards ceremony, the first such global event to be organised after the pandemic. We continue to host this special UAE-born event, which has become a leading global platform for celebrating outstanding achievements in football.”
The Dubai International Sports Conference will kick off the event’s proceedings at 7.00 pm. It will be followed by the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, which will recognise the football world’s outstanding individuals and organisations in 2021.
Star-studded event
The Dubai International Sports Conference will bring together two of football’s biggest global stars, Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe, to share their experiences with the audience.
Poland and Bayern Munich’s ace sharpshooter Lewandowski also took part in the 2020 Dubai International Sports Conference, alongside Portuguese megastar Cristiano Ronaldo and goalkeeping legend Iker Casillas.
He was named the Dubai Globe Soccer Player of the Year for 2020.
France and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe is one of the most well-known global names in football today. The 23-year-old is already being hailed as one of the world’s greatest footballers.
Winner of the Ballon d’Or Striker of the Year award earlier this month, Lewandowski is in contention for the Dubai Globe Soccer Player of the Year award this year as well alongside Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Karim Benzema and Mohammad Salah, who have been shorlisted following two rounds of voting by more than 5 million fans from around the globe.
Lewandowski is also on the shortlist for the TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year Award, alongside Benzema, Mbappé, Messi, Ronaldo and Salah.
The shortlist for the other Dubai Globe Soccer Awards includes: eSports Player of the Year: Aldossary ‘Msdossary7’ Mossad, Nicolas99fc, Nraseck, Rocky, Tekkz Women’s Club of the Year: Barcelona, Bayern München, Chelsea, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain Women’s Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas, Lucy Bronze, Jennifer Hermoso, Samantha Kerr, Lieke Martens, Alex Morgan Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci, Trent Alexander-Arnold, César Azpilicueta, Giorgio Chiellini, Rúben Dias, Antonio Rüdiger Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Edouard Mendy, Thibaut Courtois, Emiliano Martínez, Manuel Neuer Men’s Club of the Year: Chelsea, Al Ahly, Al Hilal, Atletico Madrid, Flamengo, Manchester City Sporting Director of the Year: Begiristain Mujika, Piero Ausilio, Luis Campos, Roberto Olabe, Marc Overmars Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello, Jonathan Barnett, Jorge Mendes, Mino Raiola, Pini Zahavi Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini, Didier Deschamps, Hansi Flick, Josep Guardiola, Lionel Scaloni, Thomas Tuchel National Team of the Year: Italy, Argentina, Brazil, France, Morocco
Rashid bin Humaid lauds efforts of UAE National Football Team
H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the UAE Football Association (UAEFA), reiterated his confidence in the players of the UAE National Football Team …reports Asian Lite News
H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the UAE Football Association (UAEFA), reiterated his confidence in the players of the UAE National Football Team, lauding their efforts during training camps and matches and their devotion and dedication to fulfilling the aspirations of Emirati football fans.
Rashid bin Humaid lauds efforts of UAE National Football Team
Sheikh Rashid denounced the criticism faced by the players, who have achieved successes for Emirati football, noting their losses in some matches are not an excuse for people to criticise them in a way that contradicts the values of the Emirati community. He also called on the public to commit to constructive criticism and not discourage the players.
Sheikh Rashid said a committee is preparing all national sports teams to participate in all competitions, noting UAEFA has established a strategy that considers many factors, including enhancing the image of teams, which takes time and patience.
The association’s board is keen to support all national teams, most notably the first team, he added while thanking the members of the public who support the national team and lift the morale of its players.
Football continues to be an attraction for business investments for companies globally. IBG sees this opportunity and with emphasis on building ‘living bridge’ and increasing active engagement in the field of culture and sports and to be coherent with the Roadmap 2030 strikes a pact with OFC in India. Rahul Laud reports
Odisha Football Club has just signed a historic deal with British-based India Business Group (IBG) to cement further commercial relationships between India and the UK.
Odisha Football Club is an Indian professional football established in 2019 in a partnership with the Government of Odisha. The OFC is based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and competes in the Indian Super League, the top flight of Indian football. Prior to the inaugural Indian Super League season, the club was founded as Delhi Dynamos Football Club in 2014. The Club has tied up with Spanish legend David Villa’s DV7 group as its Technical Partner. The Club is solely owned by the GMS group.
The memo of understanding (MOU) between the IBG and OFC means both the club and IBG will work towards better health, social and economic benefits for Odisha’s diverse communities.
OFC Defender Sahil Panwar, midfielder Nikhil Raj reach 28-member probable India under 23 squad for AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2022 Qualifiers
“This is truly exciting for India and UK relations,” said IBG’s chair, Professor Lord Kamlesh Patel of Bradford (Baron Patel of Bradford). “We know the success of the IPL (Indian Premier League), and the soccer league has huge ambitions to mirror that. Odisha’s at the forefront of those efforts, ‘’ he added.
India is a sport-loving nation, and by working with clubs like Watford FC and having legends from Spain on-side has strengthened the OFC. “But never forget that football is a global business, and communities will thrive when business deals are struck to benefit them,’’ Patel elaborated.
“IBG’s expertise in having a foot in both halves means we’ll be able to advise, introduce and cement relationships which will embody in spirit and action Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a living bridge between our two great nations,”Lord Patel, a former vice-president of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) assured. He believes this new connection will create opportunities.
He stated, “We know that sport is a universal way of helping people. It’s great for mental and physical health, but it’s also been shown to find, nurture and produce talented individuals and teams.” “If one person, in one team, in one club succeeds, then we’ve seen how business, politicians and economists get behind them to ensure greater fiscal, community and societal success,” he continued.
Amarjit Singh Gill , Chief Executive at IBG shared that earlier this year, Odisha FC appointed Coventry-born commercial and sport consultant, Raj Athwal, as its President . Athwal brings with him decades of working with topflight English and Scottish soccer clubs and coaches.
Patel further explained, “Soccer is more than just two rival teams battling to win a game,” he said. “We only have to look at Manchester United and England star, Marcus Rashford, to know footballers do great things for their communities in which they are invested.
“They’re considered role models, and young people want to copy their heroes, and we’ve seen non-UK men and women come to play for British clubs and vice-versa.
As India’s founding father, Mahatma Gandhi said, we can be the change, and Odisha FC wants to change the lives of the 47 million people who live in this wonderful state.”
Odisha’s reputation in investing in sport is well-known. The current Olympics held in Japan showcased that Odisha was the first state in India to sponsor the men and women national hockey teams. The state’s political leaders are behind Odisha FC’s ambitious plans.
The vision of the state’s chief minister, Shri Naveen Patnaik, has helped the state to start a model of partnership and high-performance centres that has drawn national attention. The chief minister always says, “Sports for youth, youth for future”. And, under his leadership the sports department of the state government has worked hard to create a positive ecosystem for the growth and development of different sporting disciplines across the state.
Thus Odisha FC focuses on helping Indian kids of all ages and genders to reach their dreams of becoming Football players, to become one of the most recognisable and successful Asian Football brands in the world, and to have a positive social impact on the local Odia community.
(Image credit: www.odishafc.com)
Vineel Krishna, special secretary to Odisha’s chief ministerand commissioner – cum – secretary sports and youth services government of Odisha said, “I am glad to know about the partnership between Odisha FC and India Business Group. Odisha has an attractive investor policy, and we would welcome the potential investors to the State. The State Government will facilitate the investment as per the current policy.”
For several years, IBG has been bringing UK and Indian businesses together, creating successful partnerships which it believes it will emulate in Odisha.
“Odisha Football Club is thrilled to have signed this strategic partnership with the UK-based India Business Group,” said owner, Dr Anil Sharma, founder and chief executive of GMS.
“Our shared values, passion and mutual interest in embracing the power of sport as a global gateway for education, health and well-being and entrepreneurship in and with India makes this collaboration significant for the state of Odisha, which is emerging as the sports capital of India,”Sharma added.
The UK government in India echoes similar sentiment. Nick Low, British deputy high commissioner to east and northeast India said, “The UK-India relationship has entered a transformative decade that will see much deeper and broader cooperation on areas that matter to both nations.
Odisha FC conducts youth team scouting in Bhubaneswar (Image credit: www.odishafc.com)
“Our living bridge between our people has a crucial role to play as we set out on this ambitious journey together. This collaboration between IBG and Odisha FC promises benefits for our communities here and in Britain.”
Odisha is famed for its mineral deposits and finding ancient treasure troves. Now it is planning to discover new diamonds, this time in the shape of future soccer stars.
Odisha FC has promised to invest in its communities, organising open trials, football camps and outreach work for boys and girls. Its football academy will offer them professional training, education and social skills.
“If I’ve learnt one thing during my extensive experience in this beautiful game it is that through the core pillars of nutrition, mental health, gender equality and exercise, we will support and educate the diverse communities within Odisha,” said Athwal.
“By doing so I believe we can create employment opportunities for the local communities to not only be part of the club but society as well,” Athwal added.
The former Scottish football player has bagged the award for his outstanding contribution to the sport and the community as head coach of RKFC…reports Asian Lite News
David Robertson, the manager of Real Kashmir Football Club (RKFC), has received a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to the local community.
The award recognises Robertson’s outstanding contribution to the sport and the community as head coach of RKFC since January 2017. This included guiding the football team into the I-League — the first time the team has competed at this level.
@dajrobbo1968
The last season of the I-League saw RKFC attain the highest number of home ground match attendees, averaging 25,000 people per match.On learning of his award, David Robertson in an official release said: “I am absolutely delighted and honoured to have been recognised and awarded this honour for my work in Kashmir. I have enjoyed every minute spent in Kashmir. It has been a real pleasure to have worked and met so many wonderful people. I think of Kashmir as my second home.”
Jan Thompson, Acting British High Commissioner to India, said: “Shared love for the sport is a great unifier of people, and I congratulate David on his inspirational work. The UK and India share a unique living bridge, and sports play a vital role in that.”
David Robertson is a former Scottish football player and coach. He played for various clubs in the UK, including Aberdeen and Rangers, and represented Scotland internationally. He currently manages the professional football club Real Kashmir, which competes in the I-League — one of India’s leading football leagues.
The British Empire Medal (BEM) is awarded for ‘hands-on’ service to the local community. This could be a long-term charitable or voluntary activity, or innovative work of relatively short duration (3 to 4 years) that has made a significant difference. (ANI)
