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AIFF Media
Not many football players score their first goal from the half-line, in fact, it is rather a rarity when a goal is scored from the half-line in football. But when Sanjeev Stalin struck the ball from the half-way line little did he know that he was articulating one of the rarest forms of scoring goals in football.
In that moment, all Sanjeev could think about was how his father would have been feeling seeing him score a stunner. “My first goal was from the half-way line in a local football tournament and it was an amazing feeling. All I could think about was how happy would my father be at that moment”
“My father played football, but he never played it professionally, in fact, he introduced me to the sport and my father had a dream of seeing me play football for the nation”, Stalin says. Hence when one asks Stalin who is favourite footballer is, the defender thinks little about Messi or Ronaldo and quips “My father Stalin senior”.
“I am what I am because of him. He made everything possible for me in life. We have clothes' shop on the footpath and my father has been my biggest inspiration to never give up in life”
But that is not it. “I started playing football barefoot and the first time I wore cleats, it felt uneasy”, quips Sanjeev.
“But after a while, I grew used to them. I was 10 when I first joined the Chandigarh Football Academy and my life changed from there”
Sanjeev Stalin has been a vital clog in the Indian U-17s defence line and has been, “fulfilling his family’s wishes”
“My family always wanted me to play football and represent the nation. I am thankful to god that I have a family which supports me through thick and thin. Everything I do is for them.”
In a historic moment for Indian Football, for the first time, the Indian U-17 World Cup Squad defeated the U-17 Youth Team of Italy who have won the FIFA World Cup four times 2-0, in Arizo, Italy today (May 19, 2017). The win epitomizes the grit and determination of the Indian Colts who have been grinding together since February 2013 in Goa.
All India Football Federation, the governing body of Indian Football has been providing rigorous exposure trips to the U17 World Cup Squad for the last couple of years, all in an effort to field a competitive Team for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which is slated to kick-off later this year.
Strikes by Abhijit Sarkar (31’) and Rahul Praveen (80’) led the Indian U-17 World Cup Team to a massive win over the ‘Azzuri’ in a match largely dominated by the Indian Colts in terms of possession and chances created.
The Colts got off the blocks in Italy and gave the opposition a tough time early on. Komal Thatal’s 8th minute strike went whiskers past the Italian custodian as India hunted in packs for an early lead. In the 13th minute, Aniket came close to opening the goal scoring charts for India but his effort went straight down the keeper’s throat resulting in an easy save.
In the 31st minute however, the goal for the Indian Colts came when Abhijit Sarkar’s cross took a wicked deflection off the Italian defence line and ended up in the back of the opposition net to give India the lead.
After India led 1-0 at half-time, the Colts searched to extend the their lead and safeguard the result. In the 59th minute, Aniket missed a one versus one chance against the Italian goalkeeper after he rounded the opposition custodian up but failed to convert.
Rahul in the 75th minute came close to scoring when he failed to tap the ball home from handshaking distance after Aniket’s shot had earned an uncanny save by the Italian custodian.
Goal scoring chances every now and then had to bear fruits and it did for the Indian Colts in the 80th minute when Rahul scored from inside the box to double India’s lead as the scoreline read 2-0.
The full-time scoreline read the same as the Indian U-17 World Cup Team registered a historic feat in Indian Football.
In the semifinal of the U-16 Youth League, Ozone boys beat the team from North-East, Shillong Lajong FC 4-1 and cruise to the final of U-16 Youth League. The Hosur-based academy boys will play the winner of previous edition (U-15), Minerva Punjab Football Club, who defeated other team from Bangalore, Bengaluru FC, in the second semifinal, 1-0.
Ozone scored two goals in each half - Ignatius John opened the account early in the 20th minute followed by Ajay Alex in 28th minute. Parvaj Bhuiya reduced one for SLFC in the first half. Ignatius John and Manvir Singh scored the other two goals in the later half.
The final will be played at the same venue, Cooperage Ground, on Friday, February 10.
National team pic: AIFF
That amazing free kick goal against UAE on last Thursday from Sanjeev Stalin must have enthralled all those who watched the game. For the ignorant souls, the lads are playing in AFC U-16 Championship and they are placed in a difficult group along with UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
The boys went for the kill, took an early lead, ran out of steam in the closing stages, and gave away the match to the opponents.
Have a look at Sanjeev’s incredible free kick - https://youtu.be/_4KElAv18ZY?t=108.
Sanjeev is from Bengaluru and was born in one of the footballing pockets of the Namma Garden City. Coming from an area that had rich football culture, Sanjeev was quite bright with the ball. Won great accolades for his footballing skills and he yearned to play for the National team.
He joined an academy in Bengaluru, Roots Sports as one of their first scholarship student, and was there for two years.
Sanjeev then moved to the Chandigarh Football Academy. It was in Goa last year, while playing for Chandigarh Academy, he impressed the national coach, and was included in the national team.
Stalin is a key player in Nicolai Adam’s scheme of things. With a nail-biting 3-3 draw against Saudi Arabia, our eyes are set on the last group game against Iran on Wednesday. But most importantly how he shapes up for U-17 World Cup next year.
AIFF Media
In what is a balanced representation of Teams from all over India, the second edition of the U-16 Youth League scheduled to kick-off in September 2016 will feature 50 odd Teams battling for the top honours. This comes after the grand success of the inaugural edition where 39 Teams had participated last season.
Speaking to www.the-aiff.com, Sunando Dhar, CEO, I-League indicated about growing interest amongst the Academies and the Clubs. “That’s the aspect which we are looking for,” he said. “Last season 39 Teams had competed in the Youth League but the number has jumped to 50 this season, which is more than overwhelming,” he added.
AIFF Technical Director Scott O’Donell maintained the magic mark of 50 showed the “positive intent.”
"Reaching the magic figure of 50 in the second year of the U-16 Youth League shows the positive intent among the Clubs and private Academies. They deserve due credit for their untiring effort towards building up the Teams,” he said in a chat to www.the-aiff.com.
Complementing O’Donell, Dhar further stated that “it only reflects the increasing level of the interest among the kids towards the ‘Beautiful game.’ All India Football Federation has always aimed in broad-basing the game and this shows we are on the right track.”
“Playing competitive Football is a big part of a young Player’s development. The U-16 Youth League will give the Players (and Coaches) the opportunity to test themselves against Teams from other States. The first edition of the U-15 Youth League was a huge success and it is great to see even more Teams expressing their interest,” O’Donell opined.
The inaugural edition saw Minerva Academy FC overwhelming Royal Wahingdoh FC in the high-octane final in Goa to conquer the silverware.
The League which has conceptualised as the U-15 Youth League has been rechristened to U-16 Youth League keeping the forthcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 in mind.
Perhaps the most significant aspect stays the participation of three Teams from Kashmir. After LoneStar Kashmir’s success, Jammu and Kashmir Bank and Real Kashmir have also enrolled them for the U-16 Youth League, thus making it to three Teams from the State.
“I can’t recollect three Teams from Kashmir playing in a National Tournament -- and this is U-16 Youth League. We welcome Teams from all nook and corners in the League. This League itself is in a League of its own,” Dhar commented.
Another notable feature has been the keenness to participate from Gujarat, the home State of India’s Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi. Sports Authority of Gujarat and Kahaani FC will flaunt the colours of Gujarat in the U-16 Youth League this season.
Besides, the State of Kerala has also strengthened its presence in the league as three more Teams are going to join the contingent along with Kovalam FC from God's own Country. Prodigy FA, who have passed the Academy Accreditation Test with flying colours will be joined by SEPT FA and Red Star FC.
In an effort to host 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, construction major Ozone Group-backed Ozone Group Football Academy Pvt. Ltd. has bagged the tender to reconstruct and redevelop Bangalore Football Stadium on and its ancillary development on build operate and transfer basis for a 30-year period on leave and license basis.
The tender process also included JSW Bengaluru Football Pvt. Ltd. and Tuscan Consultants and Developers Pvt. Ltd. The tender scrutiny and evaluation committee constituted by the KSFA, comprising of members of the KSFA core committee, BBMP representatives, legal and financial advisers of KSFA, examined the technical bids submitted by the parties. They evaluated the bid in the background of compliance with technical criteria.
Apparently, Bengaluru FC was found to have not satisfied the technical criteria set out under the tender notification. The bid of Bengaluru FC was rejected and the financial proposal submitted by them was not opened.
The committee opened the proposal of two eligible bidders in Tuscan and Ozone Group. They observed that Tuscan Consultants and Developers have submitted a proposal of Rs.525,00,00,000/- (rupees five hundred and twenty five crores) and Ozone Group submitted a proposal of Rs.675,00,00,000/- (rupees six hundred and seventy five crores).
The committee unanimously accepted the bid of the Ozone Group Football Academy Pvt. Ltd. and decided to recommend to the Government of Karnataka for approval.
AIFF Media
AIFF signed a historic Memorandum Of Understanding with the Sports Authority Of India in the presence of the Union Minister for Youth Affair and Sport Of India, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday, June 11, 2015.
The MOU creates a detailed roadmap for the close partnership between the AIFF and the Government of India, whilst working for the development of Football and extending the outreach of the sport in India.
Speaking on the occasion, The AIFF General Secretary, Mr. Kushal Das said that is was imperative for the government and federations to fully develop sport in the country.
The AIFF General Secretary further outlined the basic framework of the agreement which worked on the three broad areas of coach education, talent identification and infrastructural development
The Union Minister of State-Independent Charge for Sports & Youth Affairs, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal pronounced the signing of the agreement as a significant step in the development of Football. “It is an important occasion for Indian Football and it is a matter of great pride that the SAI is entering into a collaboration with the AIFF.”
“The collaboration will be mutually beneficial for both parties as it focuses on Coach Education, talent development and talent identification, which will be an optimal progression for Indian Football in the coming future”
“The relationship is more than just giving grants and funds. And will focus on the development of Football from the Grassroots”, expressed Injeti Srinivas, DG Sports Authority of India.
“It is imperative to develop infrastructure for the evolution of the National Team. And for this the inception of training centers will be witnessed shortly”, he opined.
One SAI stadium and five training sites have already been shortlisted for use during the FIFA U 17 World Cup to be held in India in 2017.
AIFF Media
It’s official, India will host the 2017 U-17 World Cup! The decision was taken at the FIFA Executive Committee Meeting which was held on December 4 and 5, 2013 at Sauipe Fun Hotel, Salvador de Bahia, Brasil. The FIFA Executive Committee decided to hand India the hosting rights ahead of Ireland, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and 2010 FIFA World Cup hosts South Africa.
“This is historic. This is what we have been waiting for. I need to thank the FIFA Executive Committee for keeping their trust on us and granting India the rights to host the 2017 U-17 World Cup,” Mr. Paful Patel, President, All India Football Federation, toldwww.the-aiff.com. “I am also grateful to the Government of India for their support and giving us the necessary guarantees which made it possible for India to bid for the 2017 World Cup.”
“Hosting a Tournament of such a stature will also help galvanize the face of Indian Football among the masses and youth of the Country. At the moment, Football is popular in certain pockets in India. With the U-17 World Cup taking place, I strongly believe that the popularity will swell overnight and the mission of making Football a pan-India sport will be realized,” Mr. Patel stated.
“I cannot sum it up in words what this means to Indian Football,” an elated All India Football Federation General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das said.
“The entire Country has been waiting with bated breath for the final decision to be taken. I would like to thank our President Mr. Praful Patel for bringing the U-17 World Cup to India. Without him we wouldn’t have got the clearances from the Government of India and the hosting rights. I’m extremely grateful to FIFA for their support and encouragement,” Mr. Das added.
The Tournament in which 24 Teams would be taking part will be held in six venues which are to be selected from eight prospective venues -- New Delhi, Goa, Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai, Kolkata, Kochi and Guwahati.
Brief history of FIFA U-17 World Cup
The FIFA U-17 World Cup kicked-off in 1985, the first edition being hosted by China. It began as a Competition for Players under the age of 16 with the age limit raised to 17 from 1991 onwards.
The last edition of the Tournament was hosted by the United Arab Emirates which was eventually won by Nigeria U-17 when they defeated Mexico U-17, 3-0 in the Final. The next edition is slated to be hosted in 2015 in Chile.
Since its inception in China, 2002 FIFA World Cup hosts Japan, and South Korea and United Arab Emirates are the other three Asian Countries to have hosted the U-17 World Cup so far. However, Saudi Arabia are the only Asian Country to have won it, back in 1989.
