Local players join HAL ranks

HAL signed Medio Karthigayan and defender Ramesh for the 2011-12 football season. Both the players represented BEML in the last season and well-recognized in the local football scene. 

Talented Karthigayan makes a re-entry to the club. After putting on the green colors for 3 seasons and helping his team to come-up to I Division, HAL team management felt his service was not needed. Karthigayan had no choice but to join BEML last season. His inclusion provides the much needed depth in the midfield position. 

Kerala duo and last season’s consistent performers, goalie Pramod and defender Lilian Kenneth too were signed. Also, Gautam Debnath stays in HAL for another season.

Among the outstation players, Bhola Prasad, Biju Kumar, Ehtesham Baksh, and Praveen Kumar were signed.

HAL is in talks with a foreign striker, who is currently plying his trade in Bangladesh. “The deal is almost thru”, confirms an official.

 

Team has gone to play an exhibition match on Hosur today. Management is confident of completing the signing formalities in next two days time.

Players signed on Tuesday, August 23, 2011:

• Bhola Prasad (ONGC)
• Ehtesham Baksh (Mohammedan Sporting)
• Biju Kumar (Vasco)
• Praveen Kumar (Josco FC)
• Ramesh (BEML)
• Karthigayan (BEML)
• Pramod (retained)
• Lilian Kenneth (retained)
• Gautam Debnath (retained)

HAL signs 8 new players

Albeit a little late, HAL finally started signing players for the current season. Today, as many as 8 new players got enrolled in the HAL class of 2011-12.

After a last minute ditch in the previous season, custodian Amar Deb makes a strong comeback. 

Amar Deb played for all the matches in 2009-10 season

Homecoming of sorts for Murphy Town boy, talented, Deepak Prakash, who turned-out for Mumbai FC last season. 

Vinoth Kumar V

Local lad and another youngster, striker Vinoth Kumar V, get a chance to show his prowess for aircraftmen. Vinoth played for Railway Wheel Factory (RWF). Both Vinoth and Deepak Prakash were a part of 2009-10 U-19 Dr. B.C. Roy Trophy winning team.

Also, makes to the team are two defenders from JCT, Bijoy Das, Kaushik Bose, and Sudheesh Muttath.

Players signed on Monday, August 22, 2011

• Deepak Prakash (Mumbai FC)
• Vinoth Kumar V (RWF)
• Amar Deb (Mohun Bagan)
• Bijoy Das (United Sikkim Football Club)
• Kaushik Bose (ONGC)
• Sarbjeet Singh (JCT)
• Sudheesh Muttath (Vasco)

Former state footballer Govindaraj passes away

Former Karnataka state football player V Govindaraj passed away on last Saturday, July 30 at 1.45 pm. Govindaraj represented state in 1964 and turned out for Post and Telegraph from 1965 to 1974. He represented BDFA XI in various tournaments and was an active BDFA member from 1991 thru 1996.

 
He was instrumental in forming the Telecom Football Club. During his term, he provided the promising players employment opportunity in the Telecom Department. When the Postal and Telegraph department was separated., he brought the Telecom football team at par with ITI, HAL, and KSP.

When Govindaraj was at helm, his team was a crowd puller in the local league. After retiring from service as a Senior Telegraph Master, the team taken back by the then Administrators. He was awarded by the State Government in the Dasara festival for his contribution towards Sports.


Govindaraj’s death left his wife, two sons, and a daughter. The state and the district football officials paid homage to the former footballer.