Bengaluru FC lead the way in India’s disjointed, 'farcical' league system

Bengaluru FC, led by coach Albert Roca, are leading the way in the Indian Super League. (AFP)
Updated 17 February 2018
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Bengaluru FC lead the way in India’s disjointed, 'farcical' league system

BENGALURU, India: Bengaluru FC, as has so often been the case this season, dominated possession during their Indian Super League (ISL) match against nearest rivals Pune FC on Friday night. But even as their five-match winning run in the league came to an end after a 1-1 draw, there was no great angst on the face of coach Albert Roca.
Frank Rijkaard’s assistant at Barcelona during the golden years when Ronaldinho and Co. were bringing home the Champions League, the 55-year-old Roca prowled the touchline menacingly as the hardcore fans in the West Block kept chanting his name. And no wonder, as Bengaluru’s progress to the top of the ISL is little short of a fairytale.
Formed in 2013, and bankrolled by the Jindal South West Group, the club won two titles in the country’s other professional league (the I-League) under the guidance of Ashley Westwood, a graduate of Manchester United’s academy. Now, under Roca, who last season led the side to a second Federation Cup — India’s answer to the FA Cup — Bengaluru play a far more sophisticated, possession-based game. Given the resources at their disposal, it would be sacrilege to call it the “Barcelona way,” but you can see the influence in the way Roca sets up his teams and the emphasis they have on keeping the ball. But, given the context of football in India, theirs should also be a cautionary tale.
Come the end of last year’s I-League season, Bengaluru had negotiated their entry into the rival ISL. But while they were drafted in as the league expanded from eight teams to 10, India’s two most storied and historic clubs — Kolkata’s Mohun Bagan and East Bengal — were kept out in the cold.
Meanwhile, the ISL had not been recognized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for its first three seasons, despite hyperbolic marketing positioning it as the country’s “premier” competition. Bengaluru, who retained a significant number of the players who finished fourth in their final I-League season, have made a mockery of that notion, storming to a five-point lead at the top of the table. They have also scored 31 goals in their 16 games, with the Venezuelan Miku accounting for 12. Sunil Chhetri, the 33-year-old veteran and crowd favorite, has nine.

Adding to the bizarre situation in Indian football at the moment, the ISL and the I-League have run concurrently this season, leaving fans in cities that host both leagues in quite a quandary. And it is the ISL that has suffered most, with attendances markedly down on last season. The average crowd this term has been a little over 15,000, compared with just over 21,000 in 2016-17. The biggest crowd of the season so far (37,986) was in Kochi on New Year’s Eve as Kerala Blasters lost 3-1 to Bengaluru.
Contrast that with last season when 54,913 watched the Blasters’ goalless draw with Delhi Dynamos, or the season before when 68,340 watched Atletico de Kolkata beat Chennaiyin FC 2-1, and a worrying picture begins to emerge. This year, defending champions Atletico de Kolkata have had a shocking season and have no chance of making the playoffs. Teddy Sheringham, appointed as coach last July, was sacked 10 games in with the side in eighth place. And former Bengaluru coach Westwood’s interim tenure has been even worse, with three defeats and a draw.
And yet, over in the much-maligned I-League, where some of Indian football’s most famous clubs have had to shut up shop in the past decade, there has been a resurgence in spectator interest this season. Despite both Kolkata giants — Bagan and East Bengal — being well off the pace set by NEROCA FC and Minerva Punjab, a whopping 64,630 turned up to watch the two sides in India’s most famous football derby. The average I-League attendance of 9,670 is also a marked improvement on last season’s 5,233.
But what those numbers tell you is that Indian football can hardly afford the farcical situation where two leagues are fighting for both attention and sponsors in a cricket-mad country. At some point, the AFC will have to take a firm stance. As things stand, Bengaluru, whose Federation Cup triumph came in the I-League, are now playing in the 2018 AFC Cup as an ISL representative. And having already made the ISL semifinals, India’s first professionally run outfit are showing the rest of the country the way to do things.
While other ISL clubs have wasted money on has-beens over the years, Bengaluru have been the team with a plan. And under Roca’s calm guidance, they look a good prospect to go all the way. What happens to Indian football thereafter — with marquee clubs excluded from the top table — is another matter.


Manchester United fans in favor of leaving Old Trafford

Updated 3 sec ago
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Manchester United fans in favor of leaving Old Trafford

Of 50,000 United season ticket holders, club members and executive club members polled, 52 percent said they preferred the idea of a new facility
The Daily Telegraph has reported that a final decision on which option to choose is likely to be taken in the first half of 2025

MACNHESTER: A majority of Manchester United fans favor building a new stadium rather than re-developing Old Trafford, according to a survey released on Tuesday.
Of 50,000 United season ticket holders, club members and executive club members polled, 52 percent said they preferred the idea of a new facility, while 31 percent supported the re-development of one of the most recognizable stadiums in world football. Another 17 percent were undecided.
United’s cross-city neighbors Manchester City left their Maine Road stadium in 2003 to move into the new City of Manchester Stadium, but Premier League rivals Liverpool have re-developed their Anfield home.
United released artist’s images in September of a potential Old Trafford regeneration project and have indicated that a new stadium could be part of a multi-billion-pound re-development project.
The club’s owners are considering options in conjunction with the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, which includes former United defender Gary Neville and World Athletics president Sebastian Coe among its members.
The Daily Telegraph has reported that a final decision on which option to choose is likely to be taken in the first half of 2025.
The Task Force is understood to have focused its discussions on building a new 100,000-capacity stadium rather than redeveloping Old Trafford.
Rick McGagh, United’s director of fan engagement, said: “We know how important our home is to fans and we need to listen to them and gain all their views and insights in order to develop the world-class stadium they deserve.
“We are able to view the results through different lenses to understand if our season ticket holders feel differently about anything than say our official members. And if younger fans have different views to older fans.”

ESL Saudi Challenge — everything you need to know

Updated 05 November 2024
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ESL Saudi Challenge — everything you need to know

  • The tournament playoffs will take place in Riyadh from Nov. 8-16, with the final on Dec. 7

RIYADH: The ESL Saudi Challenge qualifiers have officially ended and the stage is now set for the playoffs, which take place from Nov. 8-16.

After an intense round of Overwatch2 competition, the best teams from across Saudi Arabia have secured their spots and are ready to face off in the next phase, with a total prize pool of $20,000 up for grabs.

The success of the recent Esports World Cup in Riyadh highlighted the popularity of gaming among Saudi players and fans, and that looks set to continue with more competitions taking place across the Kingdom in the coming years.

The ESL Saudi Challenge, organized by esports and video game entertainment company ESL FACEIT Group, will also give the victors a chance to compete on a global stage.

During the playoffs, teams face off in an attempt to advance to the Finals, where the top three teams will go head-to-head in front of a live audience at VOV Gaming in Riyadh on Dec. 7.

Schedule and Format

Playoffs: Nov. 8-16

The best eight teams face off in the double elimination bracket matches.

Grand Finals: Dec. 7

The top three teams from the playoffs compete in lower bracket and upper bracket for the Grand Final. The winner will be crowned ESL Saudi Challenge Champion, taking home the top prize of $9,000 and qualifying for an international event in 2025.

Teams

The ESL Saudi Challenge will see some of the best teams in Overwatch compete for the grand prize:

Twisted Minds

Vision Esports

Himawari

Amigos

Roc esports

Al-Qadisiah

Dragons

Negative Mental Attitude

Prize money (USD) 

Total pool: $20,000

1st: $9,000

2nd: $5,000

3rd: $3,000

4th: $,1000

5th-8th: $500

Where to watch

Fans can watch  the playoffs on the ESL Arabia Twitch and YouTube channels. For those unable to tune in live, all matches will also be available to watch on-demand free of charge via YouTube.


Pakistan to host England, New Zealand and Zimbabwe women's cricket teams in 2026/27

Updated 05 November 2024
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Pakistan to host England, New Zealand and Zimbabwe women's cricket teams in 2026/27

  • Zimbabwe to tour Pakistan in Apri-May 2025, New Zealand to tour country in April 2027
  • Pakistan will travel to South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies in 2026 for cricket contests

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will host New Zealand, Zimbabwe and England women’s cricket teams for the first time in 2026 and 2027, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said this week, saying that the tours were part of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Future Tours Programme 2025-29. 

Zimbabwe women’s team will tour Pakistan in April-May 2026 while New Zealand will be visiting the country in April 2027, the PCB said in a statement. The English women’s cricket team will tour Pakistan in October 2027 while Bangladesh will be the fourth side to tour the country in October 2028. 

“Pakistan will host England, New Zealand and Zimbabwe women’s cricket teams for the first time as ICC announced Future Tours Programme 2025-29,” the PCB said in a press release on Monday. 

Eleven countries will participate in the fourth cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship being played from 2026-29 to directly qualify for the ICC Women’s 50-over World Cup in 2029, it said, adding that each team will compete against eight other teams in eight home and away matches. 

The fourth cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship, which will be played from 2026-29, will see 11 sides taking part in the event for direct qualification to the ICC Women’s 50-over World Cup in 2029. 

In the Women’s Championship, each team will compete against eight other teams, following the format of four home and four away series, similar to the current edition. Across 44 series, a total of 132 ODIs will be played, with each series consisting of three matches.

“The Future Tour Programme will see an ICC Women’s tournament taking place every year, starting with the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England, the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in 2027 and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028,” the PCB added.

Pakistan will travel to South Africa in February 2026 and then play Sri Lanka in July of the same year as part of their away assignments, the board said. In November 2026, Pakistan will visit the West Indies while their final away series in the ICC Women’s Championship 2026-29 cycle will be in Ireland in June 2028.
 


Saudi Sports For All Federation and STC Group sign sustainability partnership

Updated 05 November 2024
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Saudi Sports For All Federation and STC Group sign sustainability partnership

  • Pact between the parties was inked at the 8th Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh
  • Collaboration will help identify opportunities for improving public participation in physical activities

RIYADH: The Saudi Sports For All Federation has signed a memorandum of understanding with the STC Group to promote physical activity, encourage social integration through sports, and support the development of grassroots programs.

The signing ceremony took place last week at the 8th Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, which was held under the theme “Infinite Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow.”

Shaima Alhusseini, managing director of the SFA, and Maha Alnuhait, general manager of sustainability at the STC Group, inked the agreement, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The collaboration will focus on establishing sustainability reporting frameworks, key performance indicators, and metrics in alignment with community-driven programs.

The SFA aims to leverage the telecom group’s expertise to achieve their goals and contribute to the objectives of Vision 2030, the SPA reported.


Record number of athletes expected at 16th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Updated 05 November 2024
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Record number of athletes expected at 16th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship

  • Over 9,000 athletes from 137 countries set to take part in tournament from Nov. 6-16

ABU DHABI: The 16th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, from Nov. 6 to 16 at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, is expected to have a record 9,000 athletes from 137 countries taking part.

Participants will have the opportunity to earn points toward the prestigious Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Awards.

During a press conference on Monday at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, details of this year’s championship were revealed.

Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohamed Alhashmi, chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, president of the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Union, and senior vice president of the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation, thanked the UAE leadership for supporting the event.

“This championship unites the world’s best talent to showcase their skills and elevate their global rankings, further establishing Abu Dhabi as a global jiu-jitsu hub,” he said.

He also thanked the event’s partners and sponsors. “Their support has been vital in helping us achieve this level of global leadership in jiu-jitsu.

“As we celebrate another world-class edition, we hope to continue to inspire new generations to pursue excellence and embrace the core values that make our sport so impactful.”

Saud Abdulaziz Al-Hosani, undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, commented: “Since the inception of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, jiu-jitsu has flourished in the UAE and around the world.

“Thanks to the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s efforts and our wise leadership support, Abu Dhabi has become a global sports hub and the world’s jiu-jitsu capital. We look forward to welcoming athletes and fans from 137 countries.”

Aref Hamad Al-Awani, secretary-general of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, emphasized the championship’s role in reinforcing the city’s standing in the global sports arena.

“This championship solidifies Abu Dhabi’s track record in hosting world-class events, and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council stands ready to provide every support needed to achieve our shared goals.”

This year’s championship will feature an extended schedule, additional mats, and increased capacity to accommodate more athletes across various categories.

The event culminates in the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Awards, which honors the year’s standout athletes, academies and federations.

Other officials and sponsor representatives who attended the press conference included Ahmed Abdullah Al-Qubaisi, executive director of the Support Services Sector; Yaqoub Al-Saadi, head of Abu Dhabi Sports Channels; and Fahad Ali Al-Shamsi, secretary-general of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation.

Also in attendance were Saed Hijazi Salama, general manager of sales at Premier Motors; Futoon Al-Mazrouei, group head of consumer banking at First Abu Dhabi Bank; and Mona Hassan Sadoun, vice president of customer service and marketing at Al-Tayer Motors.