Maidaan draws out more yawns than yays, observes Sukanya Verma.
India has been termed the sleeping giant of world football by FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) president Sepp Blatter, and to awaken the dormant potential of the region, the international football association has launched a new program in partnership with the football associations of seven Indian states.
Sunil Chhetri, who will complete 15 years in international football on June 12, is India's highest goal-scorer with 72 strikes from 115 matches. He is the second highest goal-scorer in international football in the world among active players behind Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentine maestro Lionel Messi.
'Clifford did well to win the Super Cup for Odisha FC, and I'm sure we can expect a good performance from the Indian team.'
The 72-year-old, also an eminent Congress leader, passed away today after being in coma since 2008, when he had suffered a stroke.
Jeje Lalpekhlua has time and again rose to the cause in Mizoram whenever the situation has demanded so. This time the striker immediately rushed to the Synod Hospital in Durtlang, Mizoram, to donate the blood.
FIFA has told India's football association to complete changes to its constitution
Football was not very close to Sunil Chhetri's heart during his days as a bubbly teenager with proclivity for pranks. He was only looking to use the sport as a vehicle to gain entry to a reputed college and continue his education.
The committee found Mukhi guilty on the basis of the evidence presented by him, his admissions and the statements of the manager of Under-16 AIFF academy in 2015.
The Mission Olympic Cell is also considering higher incentives for retired Olympians and world-class players who want to take up coaching, in an effort to retain top talent within India.
The 51-year-old was a member of the Croatian team that finished third in the 1998 World Cup.
Buoyed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's support to the FIFA U-17 World Cup to be held in the country next year, Tournament Director Javier Ceppi said the government's involvement in the prestigious event will play a major role towards creating a "football revolution" in India. The Local Organising Committee set up by All India Football Federation is working in tandem with the government to ensure that the event turns out to be a massive success. While inaugurating a multipurpose sports complex in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday, PM Modi said that the opportunity of hosting a FIFA World Cup will be a big boost for the youth especially the sports lovers in India.
India FA eye origin players for short-term solution
Kushal Das feels their model could be used as a case study for institutions and international sports federations which have seen their bio-bubble being breached
Former India women's football team captain Sona Chaudhary, has made serious allegations against the sport's administrators in her recently launched book.
Relegated in their debut season, Aizawl FC were readmitted to make up the numbers when Goan clubs fell out with the All India Football Federation over the I-League and Indian Super League merger issue. They made the opportunity count by winning the I-League in only their second season to script a rare and incredible story in present-day Indian football.
National football coach Stephen Constantine said his 'target' was to breach the 100 mark by the time his two-year contract expires.
The AIFF thanked Qatar Football Association (QFA) for allowing the team to arrive much before the matches and have a preparatory camp in Doha. QFA also used its good offices to allow the Indians start training without serving 10-day hard quarantine.
Century-old club Mohun Bagan was on Saturday slapped with a two-year suspension by the All India Football Federation for abandoning their violence-marred I-League match against East Bengal on December 9.
All India Football Federation General Secretary Alberto Colaco has been elected new general secretary of South Asian Football Federation for a four-year term.
The country of 1.3 billion is finally waking up to the most popular sport on the planet. Kushal Das, secretary general of the All India Football Federation, has said the country is aiming to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Renedy appealed to everyone to come forward and ensure that the northeastern state does not face the same trouble as the country's metro cities witnessed.
At 39, he is, understandably, a different footballer but the hunger for goals remains.
Minerva Punjab did not turn up for the first match of the qualification round, prompting the national federation to describe it as a 'crazy' and 'unacceptable' move.
India began the year on 97 in FIFA rankings, but after two wins, four draws and seven losses, the country ended 2019 at 108
National football team coach Wim Koevermans has announced his squad of 21 players for India's two international friendlies which are scheduled to be held this month.
Chhetri's record against the neighbours is quite impressive, scoring four goals in eight matches including a spectacular strike from a free kick in Kolkata in 2022.
Stimac, a vastly experienced coach and 1998 World Cup bronze medallist for Croatia, interfered when Pakistan player Abdullah Iqbal was ready to make a throw-in. He tried to pull back the ball from the player, sparking wild reactions from some Pakistani players as well as some coaching staff.
Here are some of the controversies, which cast a shadow on Indian sport as the athletes prepared for the Asian Games.
The All India Football Federation on Sunday suspended Mahesh Gawli and Sameer Naik for missing a national camp on a direction from their I-League club Dempo. Their fate will be decided by a disciplinary committee before the start of the Federation Cup next month.
In a letter signed by Swapan Sadhan Bose, managing director of Mohun Bagan, the I-League clubs have urged the prime minister to "intervene and save the sport".
A narrow 1-0 win was not enough for a desperate Mumbai City FC who were knocked out by FC Goa 5-2 on aggregate in the Hero Indian Super League semi-final at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Margao, on Tuesday.
Laxmi Negi/Rediff.com caught up with the two footballers to find out more about their time in the country.
Following the Under-17 World Cup in 2017, India would bid for both the 2018 Club World Cup and the 2020 Under-20 football World Cup.
As part of the 'Win in India with India' programme launched by FIFA President Sepp Blatter in 2007, the football's world governing body has sanctioned 10 international standard artificial turf fields to the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
New AIFF boss focuses on grassroots and youth development than hosting big events.
This is not the first time Reliance has eyed a stake in the club.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Sasmita Mallick found the net four times as India mauled Afghanistan 11-0 to storm into the Women's South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship in Colombo on Friday.
Besides vice president N A Harris, treasurer Ajay Kipa, all other newly elected executive committee members, and the six eminent footballers co-opted in the committee, except Bhutia, were present in the meeting.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances