BFC begin title defence on Jan 7
New Delhi: Bengaluru FC will begin their I-league title defence with a match against Shillong lajong at home at Kanteerava Stadium in the inaugural game of the new season on January 7. On the same day, Kolkata's East Bengal face Aizawl FC at the Barasat Stadium as the I-league today issued fixtures for the first phase (nine rounds) matches. Ten teams are taking part in the 2016-17 I-league season. Former champions Mohun Bagan play their opening match at home (Rabindra Sarobar Stadium) on January 8 against Churchill Brothers, while Mumbai FC and Chennai City FC take on DSK Shivajians and Minerva Punjab FC respectively on the same day. Churchill, one of the clubs dumped out of I-league in 2014 for failing to fulfill stringent club licensing criteria, returned to the top division after missing out two seasons. Chennai City FC and Minerva Punjab FC are making their I-league debuts after the AIFF drafted the two sides after a bidding process.
DSK rope in Sanju, Jerry
pune: DSK Shivajians FC on Tuesday signed left back Jerry lalrinzuala and attacker Sanju Pradhan from Indian Super league sides Chennaiyin FC and FC Pune City respectively for the upcoming I-league season beginning next month. By signing Jerry, DSK have pulled off a major coup as the 18-year-old was named the Emerging Player of the 2016 ISl. A product of the AIFF Elite Academy, the Mizoram-born lalrinzuala was part of a select group of five players who had gone to FC Metz's Academy in France in May for a developmental stint. On his return, he made 13 appearances for Chennaiyin FC as one of the youngest ever players to play in the ISl. In Sanju Pradhan, DSK have brought in one of India's most experienced wingers. The former East Bengal captain, a winner of the ISl, the Federation Cup and the Indian Super Cup, Pradhan comes into Dave Rogers' side with a winning mentality.
AIBA grants full membership to BFI
New Delhi: India's return to the international boxing fold was complete on Tuesday with the AIBA unanimously granting full membership to the recently-formed Boxing Federation of India (BFI) at a meeting on the sidelines of its 70th anniversary gala in Montreux, Switzerland. The BFI was voted to office in September earlier this year, ending four years of administrative logjam in the sport. "AIBA has voted unanimously to grant full membership to India," BFI President Ajay Singh, who is currently in Montreux to take part in the AIBA event, told PTI. The BFI has already been granted affiliation by the Sports Ministry but is awaiting recognition from the Indian Olympic Association, which has referred the matter to an affiliation committee. Indian boxing was thrown into disarray back in 2012 when the erstwhile Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) was first suspended and later terminated for "possible manipulation in elections".
Agencies