Football

PT Usha, the esteemed president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), has raised grave concerns regarding the conduct of All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey. Usha alleges that Chaubey has "impersonated as the acting CEO of the IOA" and issued an "unauthorised agenda" for the Special General Meeting (SGM).Bhaichung Bhutia, a legendary former India forward, has expressed his dismay over the situation, stating that the credibility of the AIFF has plummeted under Chaubey's leadership. Bhutia believes that Chaubey's actions have damaged the reputation of the IOA as well."I feel sorry for PT Usha ma'am and the IOA," Bhutia said. "We have all seen what Kalyan Chaubey has done to the football federation. The credibility of the federation has taken a huge hit during his tenure."Bhutia highlighted a series of questionable decisions made by Chaubey, including withdrawing India's bid to host the Asia Cup and awarding it to Saudi Arabia, as well as moving the Santosh Trophy to Saudi Arabia. He also criticized Chaubey's comments about North Eastern players being too short."These are all very dumb statements that he's making," Bhutia said. "He's already ruined the Football Federation, and now he's trying to damage the Indian Olympic Association as well."Usha's allegations stem from a circular issued by Chaubey on official IOA letterhead, listing 26 agenda items for the SGM to be held on October 25. One of the items was a vote of no confidence against Usha, and Chaubey signed the circular as IOA's joint secretary and acting CEO. However, Usha maintains that Chaubey does not hold the acting CEO's post.Bhutia believes that Chaubey should step down from his position and call for elections in light of the corruption allegations that have surfaced."You have a lawyer (Nilanjan Bhattacharjee) of the federation accusing him of corruption; you have the former general secretary (Shaji Prabhakaran), who was appointed by you and then removed within a couple of months, putting serious accusations on the president," Bhutia said. "When you have those kinds of allegations, it's time to step down, accept the new constitutions, and call the elections."The AIFF's former principal legal advisor, Nilanjan Bhattacharjee, has previously made serious "corruption allegations" against Chaubey. In a letter addressed to PM Narendra Modi, Bhattacharjee raised concerns about Chaubey's non-transparent tender process, preferential allotment of tenders, and attempts to "syphon off money from the federation's exchequer." Bhattacharjee's contract was later terminated by Chaubey.

Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS), a renowned grassroots football program in India, has taken a significant step forward by partnering with Southampton Football Club (SFC) as its International academy partner. This collaboration aims to enhance India's grassroots coaching system and nurture young football talent.Having operated for over a decade, BBFS has been instrumental in developing players for the national team and various I-League and ISL clubs. However, to further its growth, BBFS recognized the need for specialized expertise and knowledge. The partnership with SFC, known for its exceptional youth development program, will provide BBFS with access to world-class coaching methodologies and resources."As one of India's largest grassroots football programs, BBFS has been a feeder for the national team and various I-League and ISL teams, but we need more expertise and knowledge to grow further," said Bhaichung Bhutia, founder of BBFS. "That's where Southampton FC comes in with one of the most important aspects being coaches' education. That will benefit not just BBFS but Indian football in a big way."The partnership will focus on developing a comprehensive coaching curriculum for BBFS coaches, covering all aspects of player development from the under-6 to under-16 levels. SFC's Performance Plan, which includes tactics, strategy, and curricula, will be shared with BBFS. Additionally, there will be exchange and training programs for both players and coaches in India and England."The tie-up will enable BBFS to get full access to SFC Academy's Performance Plan including tactics, strategy, and curricula from the under-6 to -16 levels," said Andy Martino, SFC Football Development Manager. "There will also be exchange and training programs for both players and coaches both in India and England with players benchmarked at the same level as the trainees back in SFC."Currently, BBFS trains 2000 coaches annually free of cost. With the support of SFC, BBFS aims to increase this number significantly. The partnership's primary objective is to create a steady pipeline of world-class coaches who can nurture young talent and contribute to the overall development of Indian football.

Legendary Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia has resigned from the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) technical committee, alleging that the panel was "bypassed" in the appointment of the national men's team head coach.Bhutia, a co-opted member of the executive committee as a former player, attended Saturday's meeting where Spaniard Manolo Marquez was named India head coach. He claimed that under normal practice, the technical committee recommends the head coach of the national team."It is the job of the technical committee to shortlist the candidates who have applied and recommend the suitable person to become coach. But this time, there was not even a single technical committee meeting to appoint successor of Stimac," Bhutia told PTI.He added that a special committee under AIFF vice president NA Haris was dealing with the matter of finding a successor to Stimac, which he opposed."I completely opposed the constitution of the special committee. There is a technical committee already in place and how come you formed a special committee to discuss the appointment of the coach."Bhutia said that the process of hiring, firing, and extending coaches by the executive committee without consulting the technical committee devalued the panel's role."The president proposes one or two names and the executive committee agrees to one," he said.The AIFF said that technical committee chairman IM Vijayan was consulted in the coach appointment process. However, Bhutia maintained that the technical committee was not involved in the decision-making."Since the technical committee was not involved, there was no value of technical committee, then why are we for. So, I said I am resigning from technical committee membership," he said.