Mahindra Youth Football Challenge 2010: Govt. Sports School to Meet DPS South at the Final

The summit clash of the Bangalore leg of the Mahindra Youth Football Challenge is all set – favourites Govt. Sports School is all set to take Delhi Public School, Kanakapura Road. The match will be played tomorrow, Tuesday, November 30, 3 pm, at the National College Ground, Basavangudi.
 

What’s exciting for the talented lads is that the winning school gets a chance to represent Bangalore in the Intercity Challenge. This tournament is patronized by Mahindra and Mahindra, promoted by Procam International, under the aegis of Bangalore District Football Association (BDFA).
 

In the first semifinal played on Saturday, the Govt. Sports School from Yelhanka, convincingly defeated their neighbour, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Hebbal, 2-0. In the other semifinal played today, DPS, South got the better of Ryan International School, 3-1.
 

Results:

• Semifinal I - Govt. Sports School (Vidyanagar, Yelhanka) 2 Vs Kendriya Vidyalaya (Hebbal) 0 
• Semifinal II - Delhi Public School (Kanakapura Road, South) 3 Vs Ryan International School (Kundanahalli ) 1

 
 

HAL: Injury scare before I-league

Come next Friday and the mission I-league kicks-off. On a Saturday morning at the practice ground, it was business as usual for HAL - strenuous workout under the watchful eyes of the newly appointed coach, R Thyagaraj. However, few key players were not seen in the practice session – mainstay Xavier Vijaykumar missing from the ground and Hamza nursing a muscle cramp.

Bemused Hamza watches the proceedings from the gallery

Owing to the AFC coaching licensing criteria for I league division 1 teams, HAL has appointed a new coach in Thyagaraj. Hailing from Bangalore, Thyagaraj has played local football for his employer, BEL, all his life, later he took the coaching mantle for the same team. For the last couple of years, he was seen as an AFC Instructor conducting AFC certificate courses across India. 

Very vocal on the football pitch

Thyagaraj has all the necessary ingredients to be successful and earns the players’ respect. However, he lacks the coaching experience needed in a big scene like this. Meanwhile, Muralidharan, who was instrumental in bringing HAL in the big stage of I league division 1, will now don the role of Technical Director.  

 

Coach demonstrates an 1-1 situation to RC as the Technical Director enters the arena

Talking to the GardenCitySoccerStars, coach Thyagaraj sounded real, “I’m just 2 weeks old in this office and players have responded well. We have to move on with the available resources and take on our opponents.”

When asked about the inaugural game against JCT on next Friday, December 3, coach appeared little worried, “We have few injury vexes. Currently the injured players have gone for doctors consultation, I’m hoping that they will be fit to play against JCT.”

“We will be playing away from home and would apply a cautious approach. JCT is a set team (as against HAL), most of the players have represented Punjab in the Santosh Trophy. A draw against JCT would do good for us”, added the coach. 

Post practice pep-talk

Definitely Thyagaraj has task cut out all December as his team plays as many as 6 away games.

In the meantime, the soccer lovers of the garden city wait to witness HAL’s home match in the I-league division 1 after several seasons. As expected, the Bangalore Football Stadium should be ready by January 2011, and we’ll have some exciting football actions.

Mahindra Youth Football Challenge 2010: results

Result of the second match played on Wednesday, November 24 was withheld as Delhi Public School protested against over fielding over aged players of Ryan International School. However, on Thursday, November 25, the result was given in favour of Rayan International School. They play their next match against Baldwin Boys High school today at 4pm.

Earlier, before the start of the game, Mr. Sankaran, Convenor of Procam International, distributed team colors to the quarter finals teams. Also, MUFC has initiated to give away the best outstanding player award for each quarter final match.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

• Baldwin Boys High School (Hosur Rd.) 3 Vs National High School (Basavanagudi) 0
• Rayan International School (Kundanahalli) 1 Vs Delhi Public School (Sarjapur East) 0
  

Thursday, November 25, 2010 

• Govt. Sports School (vidyanagar, Yelahanaka) 4 Vs Sri Sri Ravi Shankar vidya Mandir (J.P Nagar) 1
• Kendriya Vidyala (Hebbal) 3 Vs Army Public School (Kamaraj Rd.)

Mahindra Youth Football Challenge 2010: Pre quarter final results

Monday, November 22, 2010

• Kendriya Vidyalaya (Hebbal) 1 Vs Karnataka Vidya Shala (Austin Town) 0
• Army Public School (Kamaraja Road) 2 Vs Presidency International School (Nandini Layout) 1

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

• Delhi Public School (Kanakapura Roadv South) 3 Vs National Public School (Indira Nagar) 0
• Frank Anthony Public School (Ulsoor) 3 Vs Presidency School (Billekahalli) 0

The following matches will be played on Wednesday, November 24:

• National High School (Basavanagudi) Vs Baldwin Boys High School (Hosur Rd.), 3 pm
• Delhi Public School (Sarjapur East) Vs Rayan International School (Kundanahalli), 4 pm

I-League schedule for HAL - iii

The revised fixture of the I-League 2010-11 was released by AIFF today. After AIFF hurriedly released the I-League 2010-11 in the second week of August this year, this is the second time they have revised it. One hopes that there will not bring anymore changes to the schedule.

Interestingly, HAL plays as many as 6 rounds in the month of December. With the state football association confirming that the Bangalore Football Stadium will not be ready before January next year, HAL will be playing all away matches in December. However, Garden City Soccer Stars will keep you posted once we get an official conformation on this.
 

• Round I: Dec 3, 2010 Vs JCT Mills Football Club
• Round II: Dec 8, 2010 Vs McDowell Mohun Bagan 
• Round III: December 13, 2010 Vs Mumbai FC
• Round IV: December 18, 2010 Vs Viva Kerala
• Round V: December 23, 2010 Vs Chirag United
• Round VI: December 30, 2010 Vs AIFF XI
• Round VII: January 3, 2011 Vs Salgaonkar
• Round VIII: January 9, 2011 Vs Air India
• Round IX: January 14, 2011 Vs Churchill Brothers
• Round X: January 19, 2011 Vs Pune FC
• Round XI: January 22, 2011 Vs East Bengal
• Round XII: January 30, 2011 Vs Dempo
• Round XIII: February 6, 2011 Vs ONGC
• Round XIV: February 12, 2011 Vs JCT
• Round XV: February 20, 2011 Vs Mohun Bagan
• Round XVI: February 27, 2011 Vs Mumbai FC
• Round XVII: March 4, 2011 Vs Salgaonkar
• Round XVIII: March 8, 2011 Vs Viva Kerala
• Round XIX: March 13, 2011 Vs Chirag United
• Round XX: April 2, 2011 Vs AIFF XI
• Round XXI: April 9, 2011 Vs ONGC
• Round XXII: April 17, 2011 Vs Air India
• Round XXIII: April 24, 2011 Vs Pune FC
• Round XXIV: June 1, 2011 Vs Dempo
• Round XXV: May 8, 2011 Vs Churchill Brothers
• Round XVI: May 28, 2011 Vs East Bengal

Mahindra Youth Football Challenge 2010: Govt. Sports Hostel enters quarter final

Govt. Sports Hostel entered in the quarter final of the Mahindra Youth Football Challenge (MYFC). This U-14 knock-out inter school football tournament is organized by the BDFA from November 11 thru 30 at the National college ground, Basavangudi (BUFC).
 

Govt. Sports Hostel rookies defeated Little Flowers English School (Srirampuram) 2-0. In the other pre-quarterfinal match played on Saturday, November 20, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Vidya Mandir (J.P.Nagar) got the better of Kumaran Children’s Home (Mallasandra) 4-0.

Post winding up their I-league division 1 team, Mahindra United last season, Mahindra is foraying in the arena of youth development and expects to garner talents that would be the future of Indian football. 34 school teams across the city are participating in the MYFC tournament.
 

The following pre-quarter final matches played on Monday, November 22: 

• Karnataka Vidya Shala (Austin Town) vs Kendriya Vidyalaya (Hebbal), 3 pm
• Presidency International School ( Nandini Layout ) vs Army Public School (Kamaraja Road), 4 pm

Former footballer Arokiadass passes away

Renowned footballer from Bangalore, I Arokiadass, passed away at his residence on last Thursday, November 4, 2010. Arokiadass was 74 years of age, he was suffering from kidney-related problem, and left his wife and 5 children.

Playing in the midfield position, Arokiadass represented Mysore for several seasons. An employee of HAL, Arokiadass played for his employer for 17 seasons. After hanging boots, he was associated with the in several capacities – coach, selector, management.

Arokiadass came from the small locality of Gauthampuram, which is considered to be the supply line of Bangalore football. 

Several fans, friends, and well wishers paid homage by visiting the home where he breathed his last. The state and district football officials condoled the sad demise of the former player.

RC ties the nuptial knot

Proud son of Karnataka, international footballer, and current striker of HAL, R Chikanna Prakash tied in wedlock with N Kavitha today at Jasma Bhavan, Viveknagar Neelasandra, Bangalore. The bride is a lecturer at Vidyaranayapura College, Bangalore.

Popularly known as RC in the football circuit, has own several accolades for his state and country. He has donned colors for all the top clubs in the country.

However, he has been keeping a low profile for past few years. This year the skillful striker has signed for the newly promoted I-League division 1, team HAL.

RC hopes to regain his touch that the football fans all over the country have missed for few seasons. And maybe the marriage will bring him the much needed luck!

GardenCitySoccerStars wishes RC the very best for a new beginning!

• 1997-99: ITI, Bangalore
• 2000-01: Mohun Bagan, Kolkata
• 2002: Mahindra United, Mumbai
• 2003-04: Dempo, Goa
• 2005: East Bengal, Kolkata
• 2006; Salgoacar, Goa
• 2007: Churchil Brothers, Goa
• 2008: HAL, Bangalore 
• 2009: BEML, Bangalore 
• 2010: HAL, Bangalore

Picture courtesy: BDFA