City
Epaper

AIFF needs to give footballers more game time: Ganguly

By IANS | Published: September 19, 2019 3:30 PM

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

NationalIndia Weather Update: IMD Warns of Heatwave Across Multiple Regions on May 6

InternationalIndian-Origin Astronaut Sunita Williams to Fly to Space Again on First Crewed Mission of Boeing’s Starliner

InternationalChina's Gold Rush: Surging Demand Lifts Prices to Record Highs

InternationalJaishankar Rejects US President Biden’s Remarks, Says, “India Not Xenophobic, but Very Open and Welcoming”

NationalFSSAI Increases Pesticide Residue Limit Tenfold in Herbs and Spices

फुटबॉल Realted Stories

FootballSouth United Football Club Blue Cubs League: Diego Juniors FCA, 4 Lions FA, Battleground FA emerge victorious

FootballRFDL promotes opportunities, thought process that is very vital for Indian football: Subrata Pal

FootballFeyenoord manager Arne Slot opens up about links with Liverpool job

FootballManchester United winger Antony reveals reason behind unique goal celebration against Burnely

FootballBengal join pursuit of Sr Women's NFC for Rajmata Jijabai Trophy semifinal spot