Former Aircraftman checks in the Garden City

More than a decade back, 13 seasons ago to be precise, a shy looking 19-year-old Nepalese boy was introduced to Indian Football. Rohit Chand was signed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under the Asian quota rule for their mission to I-League in 2010-11 season. 

While HAL rather had a dull season, somehow managing to stay afloat in the league, but a few marked impression among the football loving fans of the Garden City, and Rohit Chand was among one of them. 

Rohit lasted with the public sector aerospace and defence establishment for two seasons, as much as the team lasted in Indian Football, thanks to AFC's tedious club licensing criteria especially for the public sector units. From thereon, his journey would only go upwards – representing the senior Nepal national team, playing league in Indonesia and Malaysia for several seasons, and finally becoming one of the greatest footballing ambassadors of this Himalayan nation. 

Rohit is back in Bengaluru, doing National duty for Nepal in SAFF Championship. He has visited other cities in India, Delhi in during Nehru Cup and Thiruvananthapuram for SAFF Championship, but first time in the Garden City after leaving HAL. 

Playing the first game of the tournament yesterday, Nepal, comprising of a relatively younger batch suffered a loss against Kuwait. The evening rains lifted Rohit’s mood. He was recalling his HAL team mates, for many have hanged their boots and, taken up football coaching. 

Though the infamous Bangalore traffic brought the team late in the Kanteerava Stadium to witness the game between India and Pakistan, Rohit was seen taking notes. 

He quips, “we’ll play a better game on Saturday.”

Football great Krishnaji Rao no more

Former Indian International Krishnaji Rao, captain of the Santosh Trophy winning team passed away today evening at a hospital in Bengaluru. Football icon Krishnaji, popularly known as Captain was 81 years old and left his wife, a son, and two daughters. He was not keeping well for past few years. 

Krishnaji represented CIL at club level and his association brought lot of laurels; it was regarded as the golden era of CIL. However, Krishnaji’s name will go down in the history of state football as a victorious captain who led his team (then Mysore) against a star-studded Bengal in the final of Santosh Trophy at Sree Kanterava Stadium in 1969.

Krisnaji Rao moved into coaching and successfully coached CIL and HAL for many years, also, he was a part of the Indian Senior National Team as an assistant coach during 80s. 

With Krisnaji passing away brings end to a beautiful era of football in Bangalore. 

Former state and HAL footballer Murthy no more

Murthy, 69, former Santhosh Trophy and HAL player expired today following a heart attack. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

A resident of Gowthamapura, Ulsoor, Bengaluru, Murthy started with Bangalore Mars in 1970 and then played for the then strong  515 Army Base Workshop before joining HAL and played for them till 1980.

Murthy is known for his match winning brilliant scissor kick goal against Maharashtra that took Karnataka to the final against Bengal in the 1975-76 Santosh Trophy at Calicut. In the final Karnataka held the powerful Bengal side 0-0 but lost 1-3 in the replay match to finish runners up, state’s best finish since then.

A skilled forward, Murthy was picked for the India Junior camp in 1976. 

The funeral is scheduled to be held at Laksmipuram burial ground in Ulsoor later today. The KSFA and BDFA condole the death of the former state player.

 

Former state player Udaya Kumar no more

Udaya Kumar, 61, former HAL and state footballer passed away today morning due to Covid-19 infection. He is survived by his wife and daughter. 

Udaya was employed with HAL and took retirement last year. Known for his skills from the left wing, he played for all top clubs in Bangalore, namely Binny, AGORC, CIL before joining HAL in 1981. 

Udaya Kumar represented Karnataka state almost in all age groups. While playing for his state in BC Roy Junior Nationals Trophy in 1978, he caught national selectors eye, which earned him a call for Junior India on a China tour in 1979. Unfortunately, the team could not travel to China. Back in domestic competitions, he kept playing for HAL thru the 80s.

Former international footballer Abdul Latif passes away

Abdul Latif, 75,  former Mysore state player expired yesterday morning at Guwahati. Latif played for several Bangalore-based clubs like, Bangalore Muslims, Binny, HAL in the 60s before moving out to Kolkata, turning up for teams like Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting, and finally settling down at Guwahati.

Latif played in the midfield position and represented India in the 1970 Asian Games,  where the team had won bronze medal.

Latif was admitted at  GMCH owing to heart ailment and had a massive stroke.

BDFA 'B' Division Knockout Tournament 2019-20

Bangalore District Football Association (BDFA) kicks-off new the football season 2019-20 with the commencement of 'B' Division knockout tourney. 

This Knockout Tournament is surfacing after a brief hiatus. Last time the tournament was held in 2014-15 season, when Young Challengers was crowned winners after defeating Bangalore Mars in the final. 

Nine teams who are part of 'B' Division this season are playing this tournament. The first game will be played today with RS Sports and HAL at the Bangalore Football Stadium. 

Participating Teams

• Md.Sporting 
• Bangalore Mars 
• RS Sports
• HAL 
• Vehicles 
• Friends United 
• Blitz FC
• Rebels FC
• Tilak Memorial 

Fixture
Round 1 

• 23/09/2019: RS Sports 0 Vs HAL 4 (Islam (2), Dhruv, Narendra) 
• 24/09/2019: Friends United 1 ( Dhanu-16') Vs Vehicles 0 
• 24/09/2019: Rebels FC 1 (Savi-9') 4 (tie-breaker - Manas, Shorabh, Rishab sudden death - Girish ) Vs Blitz FC 1 (Sagar-27') 3 (tie-breaker - Abhinav, Mayur Ranjan MP)
• 25/09/2019: Md. Sporting Vs Bangalore Mars
• 25/09/2019: Rebels FC Vs Tilak Memorial 

HAL emerge 2018-19 BDFA C Division champions

Favorite HAL defeated FRIENDS UNITED 1-0 in the final of the C Division league championship. The only goal of the final match was scored goal in the added time of the first half. 

The four semifinalists – HAL, Mohammedan Sporting, Friends United, and Rebels FC are promoted to B Division for the 2019-20 season. 

Awards 

• Best Goalkeeper: Rakesh (Friends United)
• Best Defender: Noel (Koramangala)
• Best Midfielder: Rupesh (HAL) 
• Best Forward: Thomas Koshy (Rebels FC) 
• Upcoming team: Rebels FC

ITI beat HAL to win 'Legends' exhibition game

Bengaluru FC Media 

A second half double from former India international and National League winner R.C. Prakash handed Indian Telephone Industries FC (ITI) a thrilling 2-0 victory over Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC (HAL) in an exhibition game organized by Bengaluru FC at the Bangalore Football Stadium, on Saturday.

After a goalless first half, Prakash (31’, 40’) finished off two brilliant counter attacking moves with Bengaluru FC player Harmanjot Khabra assisting on both occasions. Khabra in fact, was joined by first team players Erik Paartalu and Gursimrat Singh Gill in the ITI squad, while Chencho Gyeltshen, Juanan Gonzalez and Rahul Bheke turned out in HAL colours for a cameo in the second half.

Meanwhile, ITI custodian Balaji Narsimhan pulled off some brilliant saves to deny striker Xavier Vijayakumar who was a livewire for HAL throughout the game and keep their lead intact.

With the West Block of the stadium flocked by a number of vocal fans across all age groups, the legends were cheered on throughout the sixty-minute game as they went all out re-igniting their old rivalry.

HAL, ITI legends face-off tomorrow at Football Stadium

Bengaluru FC Media  

Bengaluru FC is organising an exhibition game between erstwhile football powerhouses, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC (HAL) and Indian Telephone Industries FC (ITI) at the Bangalore Football Stadium, on Saturday, January 19 at 4 pm. 

Notable players who will be taking part in the showpiece event include RC Prakash, Balaji Narasimhan, M Babu, Sunil (ADE), Muralidharan and Ilyas Pasha for ITI, while HAL will have the likes of Xavier Vijayakumar, Sunil, Satish Kumar and Gangadharan in their ranks. 

Speaking on the decision to organise the game, club COO, Mustafa Ghouse said, “HAL and ITI are institutions, not only in Karnataka but on the Indian football map and this game is our way of honouring their contribution to the sport. We’re proud that Bengaluru FC belongs to a city that has a rich football history and a lot of it is down to these two teams.” 

Proceeds from the sale of tickets to the game, which will be available on matchday at the Bangalore Football Stadium, will go to the HAL and ITI teams, and will be priced between Rs. 30 and Rs. 100. 

SQUADS

HAL: Basheer, Jeevanandan, Willian Crasta, Satish Kumar, Sunil, U Babu, Rajendra, Raju Sr., Paul, Somu, Gangadaran, Lawrence Sr., Lawrence Jr., Xavier Vijayakumar, Arvind, Yoganathan, Jacob, Vinod.

RD Babu (Coach), Ravindranathan (Manager).

ITI: Sundareshan, Mohan Kumar, Shakaf, Subramaniam, Aslam Khan, P. Kumar, Thomas, Rahmathulla, Rajashekar, Emanuel, Fairoz, John Kenneth Raj, Karun Raj, Vigalmani, Raja, Nazeer Ahmed, Ambrose, RC Prakash, Lionel, Vishnu, Muthukrishna, Ashwath Murthy, Rozario Estebiero, Ronnie Estebiero, Padmanabhan, Sendhil, Avijit Chaterjee, Francis, Verghese, Venkatesh R., Manohar, Harry Frank, Kumar, Harry Philips, Dinakaran, Antic, Tamilmuthu, Charles.

Sri. Kantharaj (Coach), M Babu (Manager).

Balaji receive Karnataka Olympic Association Award

Former India international and keeper of ITI, Pune FC, and HAL, Balaji Narasimhan, was awarded by the Karnataka Olympic Association (KOA) last night at an event held in the State Youth Centre. He was presented a cheque of One lakh rupees along a memento by Vajubhai Vala, the Governor of the state. 

Also, awarded were the ten active sportspersons, two former players, and a sports medicine and media expert. 

Keen to take up coaching seriously, Balaji was a part of the Pune FC since its inception in 2007.

List of Awardees

Daniel S Farid (badminton), Anil Kumar (basketball), Naveen John (cycling), Pradhan Somanna (hockey), V Avinash (judo), Sharmadaa Baluu (tennis), B Nikhil (shooting), M Avinash (swimming), V Kushi (table tennis), Sandeep Kate (wrestling)

Retired sportspersons: Subramani (hockey), Balaji Narasimhan (football), Udaya Kumar (tennis) 

Hemanth Sampaje (media), Dr. Kiran Kumar Kulkarni (sports medicine)

Former HAL players Rajabaliev Nurlan and Kanatbek Mamatov visit Bangalore with Kyrgyz National football team

If you are from the era of HAL-ITI rivalry and followed Bangalore football, then you should remember names like Rajabaliev Nurlan, Kanatbek Mamatov, Ruslan Sydvov, and Daniar, players from Kyrgyzstan who plied their trade for HAL. They played the then National Football League (NFL), erstwhile I-League in Green colors in 2001-02 season. 

Kanatbek and Nurlan are visiting the Garden City when India take on Kyrgyzstan tomorrow 8 pm for AFC Asian Cup Qualifier at Sree Kanterava Stadium. They are serving the Football Federation of the Kyrgyz Republic (FFKR) as the Vice President and Head of the Players Transfer Committee respectively. 

Speaking to GCSStars.com, Kanatbek, a dependable central midfielder back then was on a trip down memory lane. He remembers Coach Krishnaji Rao, wanted to meet him, however, saddened after hearing that Krishnaji not in the best of health, and confined at home. 

Kanatbek fondly recall the good time he spent his teammates at HAL - Gumpe Rime, Sunil, Kiran, Xavier Vijay Kumar, late Dayanand, so on. 

It was the season of 2000-01, HAL was playing the NFL qualifiers when Kanatbek Mamatov, a student pursuing Master’s Degree in Environment from the Bangalore University joined HAL, and helped them to qualify for to the top league for the first time. 

“After qualifying for National League my coach asked me to get some players from Kyrgyzstan”, reveals Kanatbek. Next season he got the rest of the gang from his homeland.

“We had a great start to the League, playing for the first time in NFL, we defeated East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar. After the first leg, we’re sitting comfortably at top half of the points table”, adds Rajabaliev Nurlan, who scored 7 of the goals for HAL, he was the 6th top scorer in that edition. 

The Kyrgyz hold utmost respect for Krishnaji Rao, was later replaced by Chandru, and results started dwindling. HAL finished the season in 8th spot in a 12-team league. Also, Rajabaliev’s injury affected HAL in the league. 

“We could have fared much better had Krishnaji coached us for the entire season”, expressed both of them. 

They did not pursue football as a career, must have played for more seasons, and then settled in other profession. It was only later they felt the urge to give back to the game and joined football administration. The other Kyrgyz, Ruslan Sydvov, is the coach of country’s top Futsal team. 

Nostalgia has gripped them as they spent time at their favorite HAL Sports Complex exploring fond memories of playing days. Meanwhile Rajabaliev is desperately looking for video grabs of his goals. 

Bengaluru sign ’keeper Nikhil Bernard

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru Football Club on Tuesday, announced the signing of goalkeeper Nikhil Bernard, who last played for I-League side Royal Wahingdoh, until the end of the 2015-16 season. The 26-year-old Bengalurean joins the Blues after securing promotion from the I-League second division with Wahingdoh before helping them finish third on the League table last season.

“I’m very happy to have joined Bengaluru FC. The opportunity to work with Head Coach Ashley Westwood and under the guidance of Goalkeeper Coach Ali Uzunhasanoglu excites me. The training sessions are very dynamic and modern and I’ve learned a lot already,” said Bernard.

Bernard completes Bengaluru FC's goalkeeping roster which includes Lalthuammawia Ralte and another signing in Amrinder Singh, who has joined on loan from Pune FC. 

HAL failed to register a team for the current season

Sometime back we reported that the once football powerhouse of South India, HAL, is dying a slow death (http://www.gcsstars.com/2014/06/football-in-hal-is-dying-slow-death.html). 
Little did we realized that that it would happen anytime soon! 

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Sports Club (HASC), which manages the sports wing of this government institute, could not prepare football team for this season. The primary reason may be attributed to a vigilance-related issue. 

A close source reported that, fund misappropriation to the tune of crores has been surfaced. Apparently, there’s no account for expenses incurred between 2010 till date. 

Football in HAL is dying a slow death!

This was the last thing waiting to happen –HAL was defeated today by a

bottom-rung, almost-relegated team Jawahar Union. HAL had every chance to restore parity. Karthigayen was tripped down by keeper Ranvijaya inside the penalty box during injury time, ref. had no hesitation to award a penalty. However, Prateek Joshi’s powerful shot was saved by Jawahar’s keeper. 

After witnessing HAL’s desperation, apparently, the football loving crowd of the Garden City started supporting minnows Jawahar Union! 

Hard to believe that the ‘once’ pride of Bangalore football used to be a name to be reckoned with in Indian football. Football in HAL is sick, dying a slow death! 

[PIC] HAL team for 2013-14 season

Presenting HAL football team for 2013-14 season...

[PICTURES] 2007-08 I-League 2nd Division Qualifiers - Pune

• March 30, 2008: Chirag United 3 (Lalmalsawma Hmar 11', Ejike Chika Chime 27', Gouranga Biswas 90'+2') Vs HAL 2 (Xavier Vijaykumar 9', Fredrick Okwagbe-20') 
• April 8, 2008: HAL 4 (Fredrick Okwagbe-65', 67', 82', Pradeep Kumar- 85') Vs SBT 0 
• April 11, 2008: HAL 3 (Dada Nabeel-12', 46', Xavier Vijay Kumar 94')  Vs ONGC 2 (Henry-54', Kaushik Bose-74') 

HAL 3 Vs ONGC 2 

HAL 3 Vs ONGC 2 

HAL 3 Vs ONGC 2 

Chirag United 3 Vs HAL 2 

Chirag United 3 Vs HAL 2 

Chirag United 3 Vs HAL 2

HAL win Moulana Abdul Kalam Azad Trophy

HAL lifted the 48th Moulana Abdulakalam Azad Trophy, an all-India knock-out tournament organized by the United Sports Club, Kayalpatnam, Thoothukkudi district. 

In the final today, the aircraftmen defeated another Nellai district 3-0. Nigerian striker Emanuel scored a brace while veteran RC Prakash scored one. 




May 29, 2013
HAL entered the final for the 48th Moulana Abdulakalam Azad Trophy, an all-India knock-out tournament organized by the United Sports Club, Kayalpatnam, Thoothukkudi district. 

In the semi-final today, the aircraftmen defeated another Bangalore team ASC 1-0. Raju scored the all-important goal in the 53rd minute of the match. 

HAL will play the final tomorrow against Nellai district. 

• Semi Final: May 29, 2013: HAL 1 (Raju-53’) Vs ASC 0
• Final: May 30, 2013: HAL 3 (Emanuel-40', 80, 'Prakash-47') Vs Nellai DFA 0

HAL in 2012 Federation Cup Qualifiers

HAL will be playing their first match against Aizawl FC in the qualifying round of 34th edition of Federation Cup today at JRD Sports Complex in Jamshedpur. 

HAL is placed in Group 1 alongside Mohammedan Sporting and Aizawl FC. Group 2 consists of Kalighat Milan Samiti, Royal Wahingdoh, and Vasco. 

The winner from each group will join the main tournament teams which will be played in Jamshedpur and Siliguri. 

Qualifying fixture

• [Group 1] September 11, 2012: Mohammedan Sporting 6 (Ashim, [own goal], Muktar, Sunday, Alfred [2]) Vs Aizawl FC 1 (?)
• [Group 2] September 12, 2012: Kalighat Milan Samiti 6 (Christopher [4], James Jiblee, Tanmoy Kundu) Vs Royal Wahingdoh 0   
• [Group 1] September 13, 2012: Aizawl FC 6 (Michael[2], Johny [2], Francis) Vs HAL 1 (RC Prakash)
• [Group 2] September 14, 2012: Vasco 1 () Vs Kalighat Milan Samiti 4 (Christopher [2], James, Tanmoy)
• [Group 1] September 15, 2012: HAL 0 VS Mohammedan Sporting 4 (David Sunday [HT], Ashim Biswas) 
• [Group 2] September 16, 2012: Vasco Vs Royal Wahingdoh 

DRDO Arjun Cup 2012

Group A	Group B
Army Service Corp (ASC)	Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)	Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
Madras Engineering Group (MEG)	Air Force Sports Control Board (AFSCB)
-	Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO)

All the matches are played in the HAL ground.

Fixture

• Monday, July 23, 2012, 10 am: ISRO 0 Vs DRDO 6 (Gnanaprakash-7', 31', 50'[hattrick], Dakshinamurthy-26', Nagaraju-69', Syed Ahamed Ali Pasha-74')
• Monday July 23, 2012, 2 pm: HAL 0 Vs AFSCB 2 (GS Stephen-15', Sanjay Thapa-66')
• Monday July 23, 2012, 4 pm: MEG 6 (N Hmar-27', 53', 63' [hattrick], Suman Kumar-47', Prathab-60', Ramu-75') Vs BARC 0
• Tuesday July 24, 2012, 9:30 am: HAL 1 (U Babu) Vs DRDO (Gnanaprakash-23', 57', Nagaraju-65')
• Tuesday July 24, 2012, 2 pm: AFSCB 8 (GS Sandhu-3', 10', 37', 50', 55', VK Singh-20', Mukesh Paneru-40', 48') Vs ISRO 0
• Tuesday July 24, 2012, 4 pm: MEG 0 Vs ASC 1 (Jotin Singh-47')
• Wednesday July 25, 2012, 9:30 am: AFSCB Vs DRDO
• Wednesday July 25, 2012, 2 pm: ISRO Vs HAL
• Wednesday July 25, 2012, 4 pm: ASC Vs BARC
• Thursday July 26, 2012, 3 pm: Group A Winner Vs Group B Winner

Video: I-Leage 2011-12 - HAL vs East Bengal

21 Jan, 2012 - away match against EB at Kolkata

Result - EB 2 Vs HAL 0