Former international Ilyas Pasha passes away

Karnataka and East Bengal stalwart remembered by the football fraternity

Renowned footballer Ilyas Pasha, aged 61, passed away on Thursday, 22/01/2026, at his residence in Guttahalli, Bangalore. Pasha, a celebrated figure in Indian football, began his career with Raja Mill Team and Vinayaka FC before making his mark with the famous ITI. His stellar performances helped ITI secure the BDFA League title. Thereafter, he was signed by Kolkata giants Mohammedan Sporting, and later joined East Bengal, where he enjoyed a long stint. 

Pasha represented Karnataka in the Santosh Trophy from 1986 to 1989 and later played for Bengal in the same tournament. He was part of the senior Indian national team and also served as vice-captain. 

After retiring, Pasha dedicated himself to coaching young footballers at Vinayaka Club and contributed as a fitness trainer for local cricket clubs.

He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and two sons. The football community, including KSFA, BDFA, and the Referees Committee, has expressed deep condolences. His body will be kept at his residence, and the burial is scheduled to take place at Mysore Road Graveyard today, January 22, at 5:30 pm. 

Kickstart clinch Super Division League 25-26; FCBU finish runners-up

With Kickstart FC amassing 48 points playing 18 matches and topping the league table, the prize distribution ceremony was held today at the Bangalore Football Stadium. The event witnessed the presence of Shri N A Haris, MLA Shantinagar, Vice-President AIFF and President KSFA, who presented the coveted champions rolling trophy to Kickstart FC and the runner up trophy to FC Bengaluru United (FCBU), finishing with 42 points.

The two teams with the lowest points on the table were relegated to A Division. Bharat Bengaluru FC, with only 3 points, and MFAR Students Union FC, with 10 points, will move down to the A Division for the next season.

Kickstart FC were awarded the prestigious George Hoover Cup as league champions for 2025-26, while FC Bengaluru United secured the GMH Basha Cup as runners-up.

Prize Distribution

• Kickstart FC received a cash prize of ₹2,50,000, along with individual wrist watches for the players.
• FC Bengaluru United were awarded ₹1,50,000 as cash prize, along with mementos and wrist watches for their squad.
• Match referees were honoured with individual mementos and wrist watches for their contribution to the league.

Individual Honours

• Best Goalkeeper: Srijith R (FCBU)
• Best Defender: Arjun Goud M (Sporting Club Bengaluru)
• Best Midfielder: Shreyas Ketkar (Bengaluru FC)
• Top Scorer: Ngairangbam Rakesh Singh (Kickstart FC) – 20 Goals

Top Scorers

1. Ngairangbam Rakesh Singh (Kickstart FC) – 20 Goals
2. Lalkrawsmawia (Kodagu FC) – 13 Goals
3. Nikhil Raj Murugesh Kumar (FCBU) – 12 Goals 

Karnataka boys gears up for Sub-Junior Nationals

Karnataka state football team is all set to participate in the Sub-Junior Boys National Football Championship, scheduled to be held in Amritsar, Punjab from 27 October to 6 November 2025. Jordan Paul Mobin of Bengaluru FC will captain the squad, bringing his experience and leadership to the forefront as the team vies for national honours.

The team comprises a talented roster of young footballers: Shayaan Armaan, Rengbek Sekho, E Santhosh, Andrew Charlie Malkachen, Arth Chandramoorthy, CC Ruan Ganapathi, Manggoulen Tuboi, Ved Krishna M, Amom Messi Meetei, Aden Elwyn D'Silva, Gurumayum Prohitkumar Sharma, Jordan Paul Mobin, Eklavya Anand Goenka, Kanav Kutty, DB Basava Gouda, Ethan Zacharia Titus, M Tharun, Nongmaithem Kaiku Meetei, Shaurya Veer Verma, and Asif Khan MS.

Guiding the team through the tournament will be Head Coach Mahendra Mani, Assistant Coach Anwar Hussain, Team Manager Harisha HH, and Physio Jabir Abdul Jaleel.

Fixture for Karnataka 

• 27/10/2025, 9:00 AM – Karnataka 0 vs West Bengal 3 
• 29/10/2025, 3:00 PM – Karnataka vs Uttar Pradesh
• 31/10/2025, 9:00 AM – Karnataka vs Assam
• 4/11/2025 – Semi-finals
• 6/11/2025 – Final

Mithila to lead Karnataka in senior women's national 2025-26

Mithila Ramani of Kemp FC will be leading the Karnataka State Senior Women's Football Team for the Rajamata Jijabai Trophy 2025-26 senior women's national football championship from 6th September to 10th September 2025 at Narainpur, Chhattisgarh.

Karnataka is placed in a group along with Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, they start their campaign against host Chhattisgarh on Saturday, September 6.  All the games will be played in Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama ground. 

Team

Aiswarya A, Niya Anand Reddy, Mithila Ramani, Aruni Singh, Aadira Ghosh, Maanasa, Lidiya Dayalan, Ruthu Sreenandan, Sheen Sharma, Aruna Bag, Rosy Thanga, Afreen Peerbhoy, Jayashree E, Aarushi Santhosh, Harpitha B, Priyanka M, Spoorthi KU, Chinmayi Tili, Krishita Iyer, Rivka Ramji

Head Coach - Jaykumar P, Assistant Coach - Shankar Annayappa, Manager - Vanitha Gadaily, Physiotherapist - Prajna P Mallengada 

Schedule 

• 06-09-2025 - Vs Chhattisgarh
• 08-09-2025 - Vs Andhra Pradesh
• 10-9-2025 - Vs Telangana 

CAFA Nations Cup squad announcement and group stage preview

AIFF Media 

In an atmosphere charged with anticipation and optimism, the Press Club of Bengaluru played host to the unveiling of Khalid Jamil as the new head coach of India’s senior men’s national football team. The press conference, organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), saw President Shri Kalyan Chaubey, Vice President Shri NA Haris, and Deputy Secretary General Shri M Satyanarayan officially welcome Jamil to the media and the country’s footballing fraternity.

Having spent the past ten days in camp with the squad, Jamil addressed the media with a clear focus - preparation and unity, “Our immediate attention is on the upcoming fixtures,” he stated. “We don’t have the luxury of time, so it’s about maximizing short-term preparation. As we move forward, we’ll set sights on bigger goals.”

When pressed about group rivals, Jamil acknowledged the formidable challenge ahead. “We’ve analyzed Tajikistan, IR Iran, and Afghanistan. They’re strong, well-organized teams. But our priority is sharpening our own game and staying mentally resilient. Team belief and unity will be the difference. Progress is visible, but development takes time. We must nurture young talent alongside the established names to secure our future.”

India, drawn in Group B of the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup, faces a tough lineup: opening against hosts Tajikistan on August 29, followed by clashes with IR Iran and Afghanistan. Group winners will advance to the final in Tashkent, while second-placed sides battle for third place.

Jamil also highlighted the professionalism and commitment within the squad. “These players know what’s expected. Once they step on the pitch, focus is total. There are no excuses; everyone is committed. We’ll adapt, give new faces a chance, and work as a unit. That’s the only way forward.”

Following the press briefing, Jamil announced the 23-man squad tasked with representing the Blue Tigers on the continental stage. The team departs for Tajikistan in the early hours of August 26, ramping up preparations in Hisor before the tournament kicks off. 

India Squad for CAFA Nations Cup 2025

• Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Hrithik Tiwari.
• Defenders: Rahul Bheke, Naorem Roshan Singh, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Muhammed Uvais.
• Midfielders: Nikhil Prabhu, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Danish Farooq Bhat, Thounaojam Jeakson Singh, Boris Singh Thangjam, Ashique Kuruniyan, Udanta Singh Kumam, Naorem Mahesh Singh.
• Forwards: Irfan Yadwad, Manvir Singh (jr), Jithin MS, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Vikram Partap Singh.

Coaching Staff

• Head Coach: Khalid Jamil
• Assistant Coach: Mahesh Gawali
• Goalkeeping Coach: Feroz Sherif
• Strength and Conditioning Coach: Manuel D’Souza

Group Stage Overview

• Group A: Uzbekistan (hosts), Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, Oman
• Group B: Tajikistan (hosts), IR Iran, Afghanistan, India

India's Fixtures 

• August 29: Tajikistan vs India, Hisor Central Stadium, 21:00 IST
• September 1: India vs IR Iran, Hisor Central Stadium, 17:30 IST
• September 4: Afghanistan vs India, Hisor Central Stadium, 17:30 IST