City
Epaper

AIFF needs to give footballers more game time: Ganguly

By IANS | Updated: September 19, 2019 15:40 IST

Indian football legend Bhaskar Ganguly, also one of the two ombudsmen appointed by the Supreme Court to formulate the constitution of All India Football Federation (AIFF), has slammed the federation for chalking out a shoddy calendar for the clubs as it takes away an opportunity for players to get more game time and improve their skills.

Open in App

Considered to be one of the finest goalkeepers ever produced by India, Ganguly said that in Europe, the reason behind the high-quality football played by the players is that they get more game time as compared to the Indian players.

"In Europe, along with the leagues, they have FA Cup, European Football, UEFA Cup. They play so many games," Ganguly told sighting that in EPL or Spanish league, each team plays at least 38 matches.

"Our federation prepares calendar for only one I-League. Can you tell me the logic behind shortening the Federation Cup and naming it Super Cup?"

Strongly advocating more tournaments, Ganguly said that in his time one would play the Kolkata League, IFA Shield, Rovers Cup, Durand Cup, DCM, apart from the state-based Santosh Trophy. The former India player also blasted sponsors for interfering in the club affairs.

"Here in India, sponsors are interfering with the football too much. They are getting involved in the daily functioning of the clubs," he said adding that it does not happen in big footballing nations. He gave the example of Quess which became a house-hold name in India because of its association with East Bengal, but started interfering in the activities of East Bengal which spoiled the relationship between the two.

He said the traditional clubs like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are weary of the sponsors because of this interference unlike the clubs in the Indian Super League.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: indiaGangulyFaeuropeEast Bengal
Open in App

Related Stories

CricketIND vs PAK 2025 Live Streaming: Head-to-Head Record, When and Where to Watch India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Final

NationalRajnath Singh and Abdeltif Loudiyi Sign MoU on Defence Cooperation; Focus on Counter-Terrorism, Cyber Security, and Maritime Safety (Watch Video)

CricketIND vs PAK 2025 Live Streaming: Head-to-Head Record, When and Where to Watch India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Super 4 Clash

MumbaiNamo Yuva Yatra: Milind Soman Flags Off Campaign in Mumbai, Says ‘Theme of a Drug-Free India Is Very Important’ (Watch Videos)

InternationalCyber Attack Halts Check-ins and Flight Boarding at European Airports, Including London’s Heathrow

फुटबॉल Realted Stories

FootballCliftonville vs Glentoran FC Football Match Called Off As Storm Amy Wreaks Havoc NIFL Premiership 2025

FootballIndia U23 men to play two friendlies against Indonesia in Jakarta

FootballTRIONDA, the official match ball for FIFA World Cup 2026, unveiled

FootballFive titles, one vision: Bibiano Fernandes' youth football legacy

FootballArgentina legend Lionel Messi "very excited" to visit "beautiful" India in December