India to host FIFA U17 World Cup

Transcription

1 DECEMBER 31, 2013 AIFF AGM Page 3 Focus on YDP Page 7 India to host FIFA U17 World Cup Page 1

2 INDIA TO HOST FIFA 2017 U-17 WORLD CUP From the GS Desk Winning the bid for the FIFA 2017 U-17 World Cup is the biggest achievement for Indian Football. My congratulations to all Football lovers! I would also like to thank our President Mr. Praful Patel for bringing the Event 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. We would soon embark on technical expertise from our Technical Director Mr. Robert Baan and Mr. Scott O Donell and start planning for the World Cup. Add to that, AIFF s nomination in top-three for the MA of the Year in Grassroots Category was also so encouraging. AIFF have embarked into the venture not long back and to share the podium with the Japan FA, the pioneers of Grassroots Programme, was an achievement in itself. Grassroots and YDP will hold the key as we plan for the 2017 U-17 WC. Furthermore, amendments have been made into AIFF Constitution as per the directions given by the Government of India. It was unanimously passed by all. Besides, Sunil Chhetri was voted the 2013 AIFF Player of the Year by all Airtel I-League Coaches. He also stays the highest-ever Indian goalscorer in International Football with 43 goals at the moment. AIFF has also instituted four new Award categories, all of whom are deserving winners. Congratulations to all. We look forward to 2014 and expect full cooperation from all stakeholders for the overall development of Indian Football. Season s Greetings to all. Warm regards, Kushal Das 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. 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, told 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 galvanise 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 realised, 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. Real challenge feels Mr. Patel Even as the entire Country has gone euphoric after India won the bid to host the 2017 U-17 World Cup, Mr. Praful Patel, President, All India Football Federation isn t willing to be in a celebratory mode. The real challenge, he stressed, lies ahead. Winning the right to host the U-17 FIFA World Cup in 2017 was a lesser challenge. The bigger challenge of actually hosting the showpiece lies ahead. We have to make sure that the success of the Tournament is in line with the development of Indian Football in the long run. It s not only about the Rankings, we have to ensure Football is the No.1 sport in the Country and for that to happen the platform has been laid, added the AIFF President. Mr. Patel further stated: It will be a landmark event for India which will redefine Indian Football from now on and for many more decades to come. We may convert one of our Academies into a Team dedicated for the U-17 World Cup in We will send Youth Teams to more exposure trips abroad to have a feel of how the top countries around the Globe play. As far as the venues are concerned, we will not compromise as we are in no position to do that. FIFA is very strict with venues and only the best Stadia will host the World Cup. 1

3 AFC NOMINATION FOR AIFF In top-three for AFC Grassroots MA of the Year Award All India Football Federation s Grassroots Programme received a shot in the arm when it was nominated in the top three in Asia along with winners Japan and Vietnam for the AFC Grassroots MA of the Year Award. As part of the implementation of Lakshya, AIFF s focus is on Grassroots and Youth Development, AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das told In 2013 the AIFF has embarked on a comprehensive and active Grassroots Programme across six States including an agreement with FFA (Football Federation of Australia). The AIFF will continue to focus on Grassroots and Youth Development in future years, the General Secretary added. The AIFF signed an agreement under years, the General Secretary added. The AIFF signed an agreement under Australian Sports Outreach Program (ASOP) with Football Federation of Australia (FFA) on October 30 to support All India Football Federation s Grassroots Programme. This new Award was started this year and aims to recognise a Member Association who has made tremendous efforts to promote Grassroots Football. The launch of this Award this could not have been timelier as the year 2013 has also been marked as AFC Grassroots Year while May 15 has been designated as AFC Grassroots Day. The Award is given to a Member Association based on several factors such as its grassroots structure and philosophy/policy, links with Delhi gets its first-ever Grassroots Leader Course The first AIFF Grassroots Leaders Course in Delhi, jointly organised by Football Link, Delhi Soccer Association and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) concluded at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi on Sunday (December 22, 2013). The Grassroots Course had kicked-off on December 20. A total of 45 Coaches, currently involved in Grassroots Football attended the Course. The Course was conducted by AIFF representatives Mr. Suvrat Thatte (Grassroots Development Manager, AIFF), Ms. Anju Turambekar (AIFF Grassroots Instructor) and Mr Keshav Dutt (AIFF Grassroots Instructor). The AIFF Grassroots Course is specially designed for Grassroots Coaches/Leaders and is part of the AIFF Grassroots Development Programme. This is the first time the Course was held in Delhi and it gave the participants an understanding of the philosophy, organisation and implementation of Grassroots Football in India. The participants had multiple theory and practical sessions and were also introduced to the importance of small-sided games, code of conduct and child safety procedures for children between 6 to 12 years of age. The Course concluded with a Grassroots Festival which was conducted by Course participants under the guidance of the Instructors. The festival was a mix of technical stations and small-sided game stations for the kids and lasted for about 90 minutes. A total of 85 kids participated in the Festival. Mr. Hira Ballabh (Executive Director, SAI) and Mr. Biraja Misra (Chairman, The Football Link) felicitated the coaches with the AIFF Grassroots Leaders Certificates. partners for Grassroots Football Development, Grassroots Technical Programmes and activities, programmes/ activities on social responsibility in grassroots, exchange programmes and special developmental/ promotional activities during the AFC Grassroots Year AIFF s Grassroots program is designed for kids between 6-12 years of age through a comprehensive Grassroots Strategic Development Plan (designed under the Lakshya Master Plan), and is currentlyrunning in as many as six states, wherechildren are given the opportunity to participate and enjoy the game of football through small sided games and age specific activities under the guidance of trained Grassroots leaders. 65 children take part in GR Festival Sixty five children and twenty officials participated in the 13th AIFF Grassroots Festival conducted by the AIFF Regional Academy at the Fr. Agnel s Ground, Navi Mumbai. Following a month-long break on account of School Examinations and a subsequent vacation for Diwali, there was a lot of excitement in the air as the festival programme resumed at the venue. The children - aged six to eight- were divided into eight teams and guided through a series of six activity grids, with three of them featuring 5 v 5 matches and three focusing on technical ability using fun-based drills. 2

4 Amendments made in AIFF Constitution Mr. Praful Patel, President, All India Football Federation Chaired AIFF s Annual General Body Meeting which was held at Football House on December 20, The day also witnessed the Special General Body Meeting (SGBM) which was held just prior to the AGBM. AIFF President Mr. Praful Patel in his address for the Special General Body Meeting said: Keeping in mind the best practices which we should follow, we have some amendments to make. There are certain principles to be adopted by us in view of the directives from the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs. Besides Mr. Patel, the AGBM and SGBM were held in the presence of AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das, Vice-Presidents Mr. Subrata Dutta, Mr. KMI Mather, Mr. Larsing Sawyan, Mr. Subhash Chopra, Treasurer Mr. Hardev Jadeja, AIFF Executive Committee Members and Member Associations. We are a National Sports Federation and therefore we have to follow the guidelines of the Ministry and the Government of India from time to time. Keeping all the issues in mind we have adopted the necessary changes which to bring our Constitution in line with the Sports Code, the President added. Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran, FIFA Regional Developmental Officer, South and Central Asia and IMG-R representatives Mr. Ashu Jindal and Ms. Priti Srivastava later graced the Meeting for the AGBM. Further, Mr. Patel said: There were certain anomalies in our Constitution which needed to be changed as was proposed by Mr. (Subrata) Dutta. Now our Constitution has absolute clarity. The SGBM was held to make amendments into the AIFF Constitution as per the directions given by the Government of India which were unanimously passed by all. Keeping it in consonance with the Sports Code guidelines, the Constitution was thus amended: The President, the Vice-Presidents, the Treasurer and the Members of the Executive Committee shall be elected by the General Body for a period of four years, however, the President and the Treasurer shall cease to hold that post on attaining 70 years of age It was also amended as such: The President may hold the office for a maximum period of twelve years with or without break. The Treasurer may serve a maximum of two successive terms of four years each after which a minimum cooling off period of four years will apply to seek fresh election The President also laid stress on the three important years from 2015 to 2017 when apart from hosting the prestigious FIFA U-17 World Cup India may get also the right to host the Club World Cup. We are officially bidding for the Club World Cup in January 2014, he informed. Meanwhile, Mr. Kushal Das stated: I d also like to mention that the elections which were held last year were held as per the spirit of the Sports Code and the guidelines relating to age and tenure have been fully complied with last year itself. He also stressed on AIFF s activities. Grassroots, Youth Development, Coach Education and Referees Development are the key areas for taking Indian Football forward. Ms. Sara Pilot, AIFF Executive Committee Member and Chairperson of Women s Committee, provided an insight into Women s Football via a detailed presentation. 3

5 Sunil Chhetri is 2013 AIFF Player of the Year Indian National Team Captain Sunil Chhetri is the 2013 AIFF Player of the Year. The announcement was made by AIFF President Mr. Praful Patel at the Annual General Meeting held at AIFF Headquarters, the Football House in Dwarka, New Delhi on December 20. Chhetri was chosen the winner after voting by Airtel I-League Coaches. Sunil will be presented a prize of Rs. 2 lakh besides a Trophy. Chhetri, presently India s highest-ever goal-scorer in International Football on 43 goals had earlier won the Award twice, in 2007 and then in In the process he joins IM Vijayan to have won the Award thrice each. All India Football Federation also instituted three more new Awards along with re-instituting the AIFF Women s Player of the Year. Oinam Bembem Devi was adjudged the 2013 AIFF Women s Player of the Year. Bembem Devi was the only recipient of the Award the sole time it was announced in The 33-year old Bembem Devi will be presented a prize of Rs. 1 lakh besides a Trophy. AIFF also declared Jeje Lalpekhlua as the 2013 Emerging Player of the Year. The 22-year striker from Mizoram has already donned the National jersey 43 times scoring 14 goals so far. Jeje will be presented a prize of Rs besides a Trophy. Mr. Patel congratulated the trio for the achievement. My heartiest congratulations to Sunil, Bembem Devi and Jeje. All of them are worthy recipients of the Award, he said. The last two Awards instituted on the day were the Award for the Best Grassroots Development Programme which was bagged by Mizoram FA while the Award for long time contribution to Indian Football was awarded to Tata Football Academy. This is a token of appreciation to the good work they have been doing. We expect others to follow the path, Mr. Patel added. All the Awards would be presented in an Awards Night in February organised by FICCI. AWARDS AT A GLANCE: 2013 AIFF Player of the Year: Sunil Chhetri 2013 AIFF Women s Footballer of the Year: Oinam Bembem Devi 2013 Emerging Player of the Year: Jeje Lalpekhlua Award for Best Grassroots Development Programme: Mizoram FA Award for long time contribution to Indian Football: Tata Football Academy Federation Cup to kick-off on January 14 The Federation Cup will kick-off simultaneously in Cochin and Manjeri on January 14, Sixteen Teams have been divided into four Groups with the Group winners making it to the semifinals. Meanwhile, due to the withdrawal of Langsning FC from the Tournament and also the 2nd Division League, the Emergency Committee of the AIFF has decided that Eagles FC from Kerala replace the former in Group A of the Federation Cup, the fixtures of which can be found on com/upcoming-fixtures.htm?tnmt_id=18 The decision was taken based on the fact that Eagles FC has fulfilled the Licensing criteria as required; and also to add a local flavour which will significantly improve spectator interest and visibility of the Tournament. While Group A and Group C would play their Group League Matches at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Cochin; the Group League Matches of Group B and Group D would be played at the MDS Complex, Manjeri. The Semifinals and the Final, however, would be played in Kochi on January 25, Matches in Kochi will kick-off at 4pm and 7pm respectively. The venues are as follows: Group A and Group C: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Cochin Group B and Group D: MDS Complex, Manjerial Nehru Stadium, Cochin Semifinals and Final: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Cochin Thank You AIFF, Says Bembem Devi Hot on the heels of the Indian National Women s Team achieving their best-ever FIFA Ranking, icon Oinam Bembem Devi was adjudged the AIFF Women s Player of the Year for The Award has been reinstated by AIFF after Bembem had won it in In an exclusive interview withwww.the-aiff.com, an elated Bembem spoke her feelings at being awarded the prestigious Award, India s best-ever FIFA Ranking, the paradigm shift in Women s Football and much more. EXCERPRTS: What is your reaction after winning the Award? My happiness knows no bounds today. It is after 12 years that I have won this Award again. A lot has changed since then but not the excitement. I was over the Moon when I bagged the Award in 2001, I am elated today also. The emotions remain the same. There are certain things time cannot change. Did you see this coming your way? I have told in an interview (to the during the Asian Women s Championship, Qualifiers) before also that AIFF is doing a lot for Women s Football. It is heartening to see that the Award being reinstated. This will drive many Women Footballers to take that one step forward. Is this the best moment of your marathon career? I will be retiring in the next couple of years. I was 21 when I got this Award for the first time, I am 33 today. AIFF gave me the boost when I was starting, and at the twilight of my career, they have recognised my contribution, I can t ask for anything more. Thank you AIFF! The National Team is ranked 49 in the latest FIFA Rankings, which is the best-ever. What are your thoughts? We have to justify our Rankings and not become complacent. I felt in the last couple of years Women s Football has been on the rise and these are its dividends. But at the same time we have to stay focused and keep working hard. 4

6 IMPORTANT DECISIONS TAKEN IN MEETING The President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Mr. Praful Patel Chaired the Executive Committee Meeting at All India Football Federation Headquarters, Football House in the Capital on November 20, 2013 (Wednesday). Besides, AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das, Senior Vice-President Mr. Subrata Dutta, Vice-Presidents Mr. Shrinivas V. Dempo, Mr. K.M.I. Mather and all other Members, except Vice Presidents Mr. Larsing Ming, Mr. Subhash Chopra, Treasurer Mr. Hardev Jadeja and Ms. Sara Pilot also attended the Meeting. The Executive Committee congratulated the Indian National Team for their splendid display in the two back-to-back International Friendlies against Philippines and Nepal. I congratulate the Players, Coach Wim Koevermans and the support staff for their effort. The results create a positive environment for Indian Football in the future, Mr. Patel maintained. The Committee also congratulated Sunil Chhetri for becoming the highest-ever Indian Goalscorer in International Football. I wish him all the luck and hope he scores many more for the cause of the Nation, Mr. Patel stated. The Committee unanimously decided on the following: As per the recommendation of the AIFF Technical Committee which met earlier this month, the contract of National Coach Mr. Wim Koevermans and Technical Director Mr. Robert Baan was extended. Mr. Koevermans contract was extended till October Besides the National Team, Mr. Koevermans will also be in charge on India s campaign in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Furthermore, Technical Director Mr. Robert Baan s contract was extended by a Year. The Executive Committee also re-appointed Mr. Kushal Das as the General Secretary of AIFF for another three years. Meanwhile, the Committee decided that AIFF s Annual General Body Meeting would be held on December 20, A SGM will also be held on the day for proposed changes in AIFF Constitution. The Final round of the 2nd Division league would be held in Silchar and Aizawl while the Final round of the U-19 I-League will be held in Jamshedpur. Meanwhile, the decisions taken by the Finance Committee and the Emergency Committee were also ratified by the Executive Committee. The Committee discussed at length about appeal from Naseem Akhtar and referred the issue to the Disciplinary Committee. IMG-R representatives were also present in the Meeting. Licensing Seminar ends on a high All India Football Federation Club Licensing Seminar ended successfully at All India Football Federation Headquarters, Football House, on December 18. Besides AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das, Vice-President Mr. Subrata Dutta, I-League Chairman Mr. AR Khaleel, representatives from all Airtel I-League Clubs interacted at length in the Meeting.The day-long Seminar revolved around the Licensing criteria and providing guidance to all the Clubs to attain the same wherein Pune FC were awarded with a Certificate congratulating them on successfully fulfilling the criteria of licensing for the 2013/14 season. The Club representatives were intimated with the process of Online Registration and the Document Submission of the Licensing Process for the 2014/15 season. Inaugurating the Seminar, Mr. Das congratulated the Clubs for the gripping, Airtel I-League. The Clubs deserve praise for their vibrant performance this season. There has been a massive change from what we witnessed last year. The contributions made by the Clubs have led to a massive spectator-interest. There has been 50 % rise in the spectator attendance compared to last year, he added. We have witnessed a massive inflow of followers even on social media and there is a wide interest among everyone towards India s premier Football Club competition. The Meeting also saw presentations from Mr. Pushpargha Chatterjee (Manager, Coach Education, AIFF) on Youth Development Programme, Mr. Avaneendra Mishra of Vibes Communication and Mr. Amit Singh of Pricewaterhouse Coopers India 5

7 INDIA REIGN SUPREME The Indian National Team played two International Friendlies in Siliguri on November 15 and 19 respectively. While India were held to a 1-1 draw by Philippines in the first Friendly, they beat Nepal 2-0 in the second Friendly which was a totally one-sided one. The next FIFA date is on March 5, Sunil is India s highest ever goal scorer Goals Opponent Place Competition 2 Vs Bhutan Rawalpindi SAF Games 04 1 Vs Pakistan Quetta Friendly 2 Vs Cambodia New Delhi Nehru Cup 07 1 Vs Syria New Delhi Nehru Cup 07 1 Vs Kyrgyzstan New Delhi Nehru Cup 07 1 Vs Lebanon Beirut Pre World Cup 07 1 Vs Lebanon Margao Pre World Cup 07 2 Vs Chinese Taipeh Margao Friendly 1 Vs Nepal Malle SAFF Cup 08 1 Vs Bhutan Malle SAFF Cup 08 1 Vs Myanmar Hyderabad AFC Challenge Cup 08 3 Vs Tajikstan New Delhi AFC Challenge Cup 08 1 Vs Kyrgyzstan New Delhi Nehru Cup 09 3 Vs Vietnam Pune Friendly 1 Vs Bahrain Doha Asia Cup Final 11 1 Vs South Korea Doha Asia Cup Final 11 1 Vs Chinese Taipeh Kuala Lumpur AFC Challenge Cup Q 11 1 Vs Maldives Malle Friendly 2 Vs Malaysia Kolkata Friendly 1 Vs Afghanistan New Delhi SAFF Cup 11 2 Vs Bhutan New Delhi SAFF Cup 11 1 Vs Sri Lanka New Delhi SAFF Cup 11 2 Vs Maldives New Delhi SAFF Cup 11 1 Vs Afghanistan New Delhi SAFF Cup 11 1 Vs Syria New Delhi Nehru Cup 12 2 Vs Maldives New Delhi Nehru Cup 12 1 Vs Cameroon New Delhi Nehru Cup 12 2 Vs Guam Yangon AFC Challenge Cup Q 13 1 Vs Bangladesh Kathamandu SAFF Cup 13 1 Vs Phillipines Siliguri Friendly 1 Vs Nepal Siliguri Friendly 6

8 YDP is Technical Committee s priority Former Indian National Team Captain Bhaichung Bhutia chaired All India Football Federation s Technical Committee at the Football House, AIFF Headquarters on November 4, Other Technical Committee Members Mr. Savio Messias, Mr. Henry Menezes, Mr. Lalnghinglova Hmar and Mr. Anil Kumar also attended the Meeting. Besides, AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das, AIFF Technical Director Robert Baan, Indian Senior National Team Coach Wim Koevermans, and AIFF Technical Director Academies & Director of Coach Education Scott O Donell were also present. It was decided in the meeting that India Senior National Team Coach Wim Koevermans contract will be extended till October AIFF Technical Director Robert Baan s contract was also extended by a year. The Committee focused on planning Grassroots and Youth Development Programmes and producing more number of quality Coaches by proper Coach Education Programmes. The bigger role and responsibilities of State Associations were also highlighted and it was decided that the parent body will be stricter on the associations to enforce a proper scouting in place. The Committee unanimously recommended the following points: State Associations need to play a bigger role in Grassroots and Youth Development. Bring more number of quality Coaches on board by issuing online application forms for Coaching Courses on AIFF website thereby increasing participation and ensuring transparent selection. Alongwith Rob Baan and Scott O Donell, Henry Menezes and Savio Messias will be looking after Coaching Programmes, Academies and the scouting system. More number of Exposure Trips for National Teams, age group and Senior Team. It was recommended that there should be a set Criteria for a foreigner to play in the Airtel I-League. It was discussed that the onus should be on the clubs to have their own Academies, and not depend on the Federation alone to set up all Regional Academies. The State Associations should also have Training Centres. Promote Women s football on a larger scale Champions League Play-off slot for Pune FC India have been awarded an Asian Champions League Play-off slot after a gap of two years.pune FC, who hold the AFC and Indian Club Licence will be representing India in the Play-offs for a berth in the prestigious AFC Champions League.Two AFC Cup slots have also been allocated to India with a caveat that should Pune FC fail to qualify for the Main Round of the AFC Champions League via the Play-offs they take up the one AFC Cup slot with I-League Champions Churchill Brothers being the other. However, if Pune FC make it to the 2014 AFC Champions League, the door will be open for AFC Cup semi-finalists Kingfisher East Bengal who finished third in the I-League last season to try and better their performance in the International arena. Dempo SC were the last Indian Club to play in the Playoffs of the AFC Champions League in 2011 where they lost to Qatar Stars League heavyweights Al Sadd. 7

9 Manipur are U-14 National Champions Manipur are U-14 National Champions. In the final played at the picturesque Kalyani Stadium in West Bengal, Manipur came back from behind to sail past Maharashtra 3-1 in the Final. N Dhruba Singh scored a brilliant hat-trick to help Manipur land the Trophy after Maharashra s MD Kamran s had put his Team ahead in the very first mminute. Players Status Committee meets at Football House AIFF Players Status Committee meeting was Chaired by MP Swamy where Raju Gaikwad s payment issues with East Bengal, and breach of contract from Jovel Martins were discussed in detail. Also on the agenda were non-payment of salaries of Mohun Bagan and Churchill Brothers to their players. It was decided in the Meeting to impose a fine on Jovel Martins as per the AIFF Player Status Regulations Article 21 as the committee felt there was a breach of contract by the player. On the second issue, that of Raju Gaikwad, the Committee after going through the letters submitted by Gaikwad and East Bengal, decided that the time period of two weeks is be given to the player to submit documentary evidence of salaries received by him and subsequently the dues to him by the club for the season & Further, as per the decision of the last meeting of Players Status Committee held on September , the detailed statement of accounts has been received from the concerned Players. The same will be forwarded to McDowell Mohun Bagan to clear off the dues on or before December 31, 2013.The Committee also decided to remind the two players of Churchill Brothers in question; Sandip Nandy and Steven Dias, to submit documentary evidence of salaries received by them and the dues to them by the Club. Disciplinary Committee discuss issues Mr. NA Khan Chaired the All India Football Federation s (AIFF) Disciplinary Committee which met at the AIFF Headquarters Football House on December 3, Besides, AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das, Mr. Babu Mather, Advocate Krishnendu Banerjee, Mr. Anil Kshatriya, Mr. B.K. Roka and Mr. Rakesh Bakshi were also present. It was unanimously decided that the life-ban imposed on Naseem Akhtar by the Uttar Pradesh Football Sangh be lifted as it does not fall under the ambit of the Articles of Corruption in Section 6 of Article 63 or Section 10 of Article 70 which states unlawfully influencing match results. The Committee also reflected at length the alleged racism complaints of Shillong Lajong s World Cupper Cornell Glen and Sporting Clube de Goa s Boima Karpeh. While Cornell had accused Pune FC s Mumtaz Akhtar, Karpeh had complained about Collin Abranches. But both the complaints could not be proved. The Tournament, an annual competition was held from November 10-16, Among the Teams who participated in the Tournament from the Qualifying Rounds, eight, including the winners of the clusters and the second best placed Teams qualified for the Quarter-Final Round. Keeping in mind the significance of the Tournament, All India Football Federation had deputed nine spotters to select talented boys for them to be enrolled in AIFF Regional Academies. Eight successful in AFC B-Certificate Course The AFC B-Certificate Course was held at Goa from October 13 till November 3, Eight successful candidates were yielded from across the country. Two candidates came under Pro-Pass category where they have to re-sit their theory examinations whereas 1 came under FAME (Further Assessment and Mentor Education) which requires the candidate to undergo the practical examination once again under the mentorship of the course instructor. The following are the results: Pass: A.Shantha Kumar (Karnataka); Akshay Das (Orissa); Alison Kharsyntiew (Meghalaya); Caetano Infancio De Souza Pinho (Maharashtra); Indranil Chakraborty (West Bengal); Kanan Vithal Priolkar (Goa); Uttam Singh Negi (Delhi) and Bibiano Fernandes (Goa) Pro-pass: Mario Soares (Goa) and Nipendra Das (Orissa) FAME: Trevor Carvalho (Maharashtra) MANIPUR ARE CHAMPIONS Manipur lifted the Junior National Championship for Girls when they defeated hosts Orissa 3-0 in the Final at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. For the Champions, Dangmei Grace scored a grace while Ratanbala Devi completed the rout. 8