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.
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.
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".
New AIFF boss focuses on grassroots and youth development than hosting big events.
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.
This is not the first time Reliance has eyed a stake in the club.
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.
Laxmi Negi/Rediff.com caught up with the two footballers to find out more about their time in the country.
The executive committee approved a few suggestions that were earlier forwarded to it by the competitions committee, the first of which was concerning the senior men's national football championship for Santosh Trophy.
Either Jeddah or Riyadh will host Santosh knockouts for 3 years, says AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey
'The ban and the timing of lifting it is unfair to Gokulam Kerala because we had been preparing for the tournament for about two months.'
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).
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.
Indian football head coach Igor Stimac hailed Sunil Chhetri, saying the talismanic captain was one of those who "glorified" Indian football with his dedication in the 15 years of his illustrious career. The 35-year-old Chhetri on Friday became only the second Indian after legendary Bhaichung Bhutia to complete 15 years in Indian jersey.
The Indian football team will play against China for the first time in 21 years, and the first time away from home, in an international friendly in October, continuing its preparation for the prestigious Asian Cup next year.
'Overall, it's based on two things. First, it's identifying talent. And then the quality of the educational programme and the coaching is absolutely vital. The AIFF has to take charge of the education with us and we need good cooperation.'
Salgaocar's Karim Bencherifa was, on Friday, offered a year's contract to become coach of the Indian football team but is unlikely to take up the job. His club made it clear that it will not release him for the national assignment.
Last year, the Indian Super League began on October 20 while the I-League started on November 30.
It did not announce a fresh date, but said Fransa will play Sporting Clube and Salgaocar on March 5 and 8 respectively.
Hockey coach Ramesh Parameswaran applies for Dronacharya Award
When Kasturi Rajamurty won a gold medal in powerlifting at the WPPL World Cup in Russia, she sure had come a long way. From a life of penury to constantly being short of funds to fuel her passion, she had finally triumphed, and how.
Former captain and current advisor to All India Football Federation, Bhaichung Bhutia has admitted that the eight-year old I-League has been a failure and feels that the 'successful' Indian Super League should be given a few more seasons before a possible merger of the two.
The tests would be conducted under supervision of the AIFF's medical cell and urine samples would be sent to a Malaysian laboratory.
The Indian men's team currently occupies the 18th spot among countries under the Asian Football Confederation, while the women's side is ranked 11th.
The duo met at the IOC's headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland and discussed about cricket's future in the Olympic programme.
The AFC Challenge Cup, Asia's second biggest football tournament, may return to India after a gap of six years as the country is set to bid for the 2014 edition.
His agent Simon Bayliss said the 22-year-old striker is not interested in playing for India and is all set to pursue his career in England.
The Manchester United Premier Cup - India Final 2008, for under-15 footballers, which will be conducted across India from November 28 to January 20, 2008.
Described as a "nonsensical" tournament by national coach Bob Houghton, Santosh Trophy will not feature any member of the Indian senior football team this year.
Air India want the match to be rescheduled as they have granted leave to some of their players.
The All India Football Federation named Mahindra United's Shanmugam Venkatesh as the player of the year.
The organisers of the much-anticipated Indian Premier League-style football league decided to defer the proposed tournament to September-November next year instead of early 2014.
This will be the first time since the 1994 Hiroshima edition that an Indian team will not take part in the football competition of the Asian Games.
Chhetri has played for India 142 times and has scored 92 goals, the most by an Indian. He is also currently the third most prolific scorer in international football among active players, behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Anwar Ali, his current side East Bengal, and parent club Delhi FC on Thursday moved the Delhi High Court and sought a stay on the suspension imposed on the player.
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