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First Post
9 hours ago
- Sport
- First Post
Subrata Paul questions Indian players' attitude and team spirit: 'My responsibility to point that out'
India football team director Subrata Paul has raised concerns over the squad's attitude and team spirit after a goalless draw against Bangladesh in AFC Asian Cup qualifier in April. Bhaichung Bhutia has also commented on Paul's criticism. read more Former India goalkeeper and current national team director Subrata Paul has raised serious concerns about the Indian football team's attitude and team spirit. Paul made these comments after against Bangladesh in an Asian Cup qualifier in Shillong earlier this year. In a meeting with the (AIFF) technical committee on 17 April, Paul reportedly said that the players showed a lack of desire and spirit. According to the minutes of the meeting accessed by the Hindustan Times, Paul said the team had issues with player attitude, team unity, and even 'patriotism.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Paul highlighted several key challenges faced by the Senior National Team. These included issues related to Player's attitude (sic), patriotism and overall team spirit,' the minutes read. However, Paul later clarified that he did not talk about patriotism and that he didn't know how the word got into the minutes. More from Football Indian football legend and current executive committee member of AIFF, Bhaichung Bhutia, said Paul should explain what he meant and name the players who weren't giving their best. Bhutia and Paul were teammates during India's successful run between 2007 and 2011. 'And he should name the players who he felt had not given their best so that they are not chosen anymore,' Bhutia said. While speaking on the matter, Paul said that he didn't see the same hunger to perform for the country during the Bangladesh clash that players like Bhutia, Climax Lawrence, Deepak Mondal, and Sameer Naik had shown in the past. He added that it's his job to highlight these issues, even if some people don't like it. He also said that the team is in a transition phase with a mix of experienced and new players, which could be why they haven't gelled as a unit yet. 'I missed the desire that I saw in so many of my seniors and contemporaries such as Bhaichung bhai, Climax Lawrence, Sameer Naik, Deepak Mondal to name a few. The desire to play for the national team overrode everything including injuries,' Paul was quoted as saying by HT. 'It is my responsibility as national team director to point that out. If this makes me unpopular, so be it,' he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Even there, the performance was not what was expected and I pointed that out to the technical committee. This is a team that has some players with a lot of experience and some with little. It is a team in transition and maybe that is why it did not gel,' Paul added. The match against Bangladesh was Paul's first official game in his new role as director. Since that match, India lost two more games - a 0-2 defeat against Thailand in a friendly and a in another AFC Asian Cup qualifier.
Al-Ahram Weekly
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egyptian debuts in Amman - Culture - Al-Ahram Weekly
Themed 'A World Unscripted', this round celebrates films that break out of traditional storytelling structures, showcasing stories that feel more lived than written. Egyptian films stand out for their number, their diverse and compelling narratives and the way they highlight the ongoing evolution of Egyptian cinema, with emerging filmmakers making a substantial contribution to the scene. Beyond the films themselves, Egypt's involvement is marked by the active participation of filmmakers in key festival initiatives, fostering new industry connections and collaborations within the Arab cinematic landscape. The Egyptian presence at AIFF is underscored by two celebrated figures serving on the Black Iris Award Jury for Non-Arab Film: the renowned director and screenwriter Yousry Nasrallah; and the award-winning director and producer Jihan El-Tahri. Both filmmakers are also members of the festival's Advisory Board. The Amman Film Industry Days (AFID) also selected four Egyptian projects, showcasing emerging and established talents at various stages of production. These films bring fresh and diverse voices to the global film landscape, highlighting the dynamic nature of contemporary Egyptian cinema. The Cow Thief, directed by Mohamed Zidan and produced by Mark Lotfy, blends docu-fiction with investigative cinema to explore the 1980s murder of Egyptian director Niazi Mustafa. Zidan's debut feature documentary, I HAVE A PICTURE (2017), won several prestigious awards, including the Golden Star at El Gouna Film Festival, the Jury Prize at the Tripoli Film Festival, and the Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the Cairo National Festival for Egyptian Cinema. Like a Bird in the Sky, directed by Amal Ramsis and produced by Amal Ramsis and Jana Wehbe, is Ramsis' debut feature-length fiction film. The film explores personal and societal struggles in contemporary Egypt and follows the success of her previous documentary You Come From Far Away (2018), which won multiple awards, including the Silver Tanit at the Carthage Film Festival and the African Federation of Film Critics (FACC) Award and the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Award at the Ismailia International Film Festival for Documentaries and Shorts. Ramsis' short films, including Only Dreams (2005), Forbidden (2011), and The Trace of the Butterfly (2015), have gained international recognition, screening at art venues and festivals worldwide. The Masters of Magic and Beauty, directed by Jad Chahine and produced by Baho Bakhsh and Safei Eldin Mahmoud, offers a mythical narrative. Set in the desert, the film follows a couple seeking blessings for their unborn child, but a miscarriage and magic complicate their lives. Chahine's short film The Call of the Brook (2023) was the first Egyptian film selected for the La Cinef competition at Cannes in 2014. All That the Wind Can Carry, directed by Maged Nader and produced by Tamer Al-Said, explores the complexities of memory and family history within Egypt's Coptic community. The film combines home videos, narrative scenes and dreams to unravel the story of a family dealing with memory loss. Nader, a cinematographer and director, has worked on films like Souad (2020), which was selected for the Cannes Film Festival, directing short films showcased at international festivals, including the Forum Expanded at the Berlinale. He is currently the co-executive director of the Cimatheque Alternative Film Centre. Egyptian films have earned prominent positions in the competitive sections of the Amman International Film Festival, with Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo, directed by Khaled Mansour, taking centre stage in the Arab Feature-Length Narrative Films category. The film, which had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, follows the emotional journey of a man who embarks on a quest to protect his dog from a vengeful landlord. After its Venice debut, the film went on to screen at the CinemaMed Festival in Belgium, where it won both the Grand Prize and the Jury Award. It continued to earn widespread recognition, securing the Jury Award at the Red Sea Film Festival and receiving a Special Mention at the 35th Carthage Film Days. The film has also garnered multiple awards at various prestigious regional and international festivals. Its screening in Egyptian and Arab cinemas enjoyed exceptional success, with longer-than-usual runs for an independent film, a testament to its growing popularity. Written by Mohamed Al-Husseini and Khaled Mansour, Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo stars Essam Omar, Rakeen Saad, Sama Ibrahim, and Ahmed Bahaa. Spring Came on Laughing, directed by Noha Adel, also stands out in the same category for its poignant exploration of interwoven human narratives set against the backdrop of spring. The film presents four interconnected stories, each unfolding within the seasonal transition of spring. The film firmly established Adel as a powerful new voice in Egyptian cinema, garnering four prestigious awards at the 45th Cairo International Film Festival, including the Henry Barakat Award for Best Artistic Contribution to Noha Adel, the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Prize, the Salah Abu Seif Award for Best Director, and a Special Mention for actress Rehab Anan for her role in the film. In the Arab Feature Documentary Films competition, Abo Zaabal 89, directed by Bassam Mortada, delves into the personal impact of Egypt's political landscape on his family's history, offering an intimate reflection on memory and trauma. The film premiered at the Cairo International Film Festival and was screened at major festivals such as IDFA and Carthage Film Festival, among others. This documentary marks Mortada's debut in feature filmmaking and has made a strong impression with its emotionally powerful storytelling. Meanwhile, in the Arab Short Films competition, several Egyptian films are making their mark with unique and powerful storytelling. Are You a Rabbit? directed by Hatem Emam, is a deeply symbolic exploration of an artist's struggle with his restrictive life, blending reality with dark fantasy. The film follows an art teacher who is fired from his job and embarks on a deep journey of reflection with his son about the essence of simple living and its inherent cruelty. As the father confronts the grim realisation of his bleak existence, symbolised by the rabbits, he is plunged into a dark, reflective space where the line between his reality and his dark imagination becomes increasingly blurred. Hatem Emam, an Egyptian writer and director, is currently studying at the Faculty of Filmmaking and Theater Arts at Badr University. His short film has been featured in numerous international festivals, including the Ismailia International Film Festival, Accessible Film Festival, and Xposure International Film and Photography Festival. In the same competition, Mango, directed by Randa Ali and produced by Mohamed Taymour, offers a moving exploration of loss and grief through the relationship between a daughter and her estranged father. The film had its world premiere in the official competition at the 46th Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in 2024 and has since been showcased at multiple prestigious festivals, including CinemAmbiente – Environmental Film Festival in Italy, Uppsala Short Film Festival in Sweden, and Bilbao International Film Festival – ZINEBI in Spain. Mango won the WWF MedFilm Award and has garnered acclaim at various festivals, including the Cairo International Film Festival. Randa Ali, a filmmaker working between Egypt and the USA, has been recognised for her exploration of alienation and connection in her work. Loop, directed by Eslam Qotb, presents a visually expressive narrative about a young woman who, stressed by life's pressures, escapes reality through drugs and faces the consequences. The film has been screened at several film festivals and was awarded Best Arabian Student Film at Animatex 2025. Eslam Qotb, an animator, transitioned from digital illustration to filmmaking after graduating from the High Cinema Institute. A Passing Day, directed by Rasha Shahin, explores the emotional aftermath of war. The film premiered at the Cairo International Film Festival and marks Shahin's debut short fiction film. Rasha Shahin, a Syrian director, moved to Egypt in 2013 to pursue filmmaking at the High Cinema Institute in Cairo. The film is produced by Baho Bakhsh and Safei Eldin Mahmoud, founders and directors of Red Star Production House. It stars Reem Hegab, an Egyptian director, writer, actress, performer, and choreographer, alongside actor Khaled Kamal. In the Out of Competition section, Egyptian filmmakers are making their mark with Stephanie Amin's I Found My Love in Masarra, a short film that blends family archives, immigration, and personal reflection. The film offers a poignant look at identity and the spaces between two cultures. Stephanie Amin is an independent researcher and filmmaker with a master's degree in political sociology from Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. The Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film continues to be an important platform for showcasing emerging talent in Arab and international cinema. By focusing on showcasing emerging talent in Arab and international cinema, featuring debut films across various formats, including feature fiction, feature documentaries, and short films, the festival provides a valuable opportunity for alternative narrative and fresh voices to be heard. * A version of this article appears in print in the 26 June, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
India Gazette
a day ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Target isn't just Asian Cup, but also World Cup: Midfielder Sangita Basfore
Chiang Mai [Thailand], June 27 (ANI): For the Blue Tigresses, the AFC Women's Asian Cup isn't only about competing against the continent's elite, but also a pathway to the FIFA Women's World Cup, according to the official website of the AIFF. 'Our target is the World Cup,' echoed midfielder Sangita Basfore, as quoted from the official website of AIFF. 'The AFC qualifiers feel like World Cup qualifiers. We all want to qualify for Brazil,' she added. For the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027, the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 serves as the qualifier, with the top six teams from the tournament securing their berths in the 32-team World Cup. The first hurdle is these AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers in Chiang Mai, where India made the perfect start with a 13-0 demolition of Mongolia on Monday. The opening goal took less than eight minutes as Sangita's head guided an inch-perfect Soumya Guguloth cross into the open net. 'Right from warm-up, I had this feeling that I'd score the opening goal, and I did. That was a great feeling. I made a good run, and the cross from Soumya was perfect. When I scored, I thanked her right away,' said Sangita. Given the quality gap between India and Mongolia, perhaps the deluge of goals was expected from the start. Coach Crispin Chettri's message to the girls was clear -- celebrate every single goal together. 'Every time someone scores, we all go to them. That creates team bonding. If we keep doing this from the beginning, the upcoming matches will get easier as we play more like a team,' said Sangita. Since her debut against Sri Lanka in the Olympic qualifiers in 2015, the 28-year-old Sangita has racked up 66 caps for the Indian women's national team. Only Grace Dangmei, at 86, has more matches in the current squad. From breaking through as a teenager to now being one of the most senior players in the team, Sangita recapped her journey with the Blue Tigresses. 'When I see the juniors in our team now, I remember my early days. Back then, I learned a lot from my seniors. (Oinam) Bembem Di was my idol, and still is. There was also (Ngangom) Bala di, (Irom) Prameshwori di, (Sasmita) Malik di, and of course, (Loitongbam) Ashalata di. There were so many senior players when we came in, and over time, they started retiring. We juniors were raw when we came and learnt things in the national team,' she noted. 'But now, these younger players come in already well-prepared. Now, because of tournaments like the IWL and junior national teams, these kids already know how to maintain their lifestyle and progress. So, we don't need to teach them much. They're already doing well. But in the team, there's no senior-junior gap. We're all one unit,' shared Sangita. After a decade of national service, Sangita admitted she doesn't have many years left in India's blue. She might have two SAFF Women's Championship trophies and South Asian Games gold medals each, but what she yearns for is playing a major tournament for India. When India hosted the AFC Women's Asian Cup in 2022, Sangita was one of the big misses in the Blue Tigresses' squad as she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in a friendly match against Hammarby IF in Sweden just three months before the tournament. 'When I look at my own journey, it's been a long one. I just want to have one proud moment before I retire, like playing in the World Cup. I want to say I did something big in my career. So yes, that's the aim. First qualify for the Asian Cup, play that, and then qualify for the World Cup,' she said. 'Missing the Asian Cup in 2022 was a big regret. Even my teammates didn't get to play because of COVID. We had worked so hard during the pandemic to qualify for the 2023 World Cup, but it wasn't to be. That regret still lingers. Even now, I get flashbacks. We desperately want to qualify for the Asian Cup,' she noted. 'This feels like a second chance now,' she said. India will face Timor-Leste on June 29, Iraq on July 2, and host Thailand on July 5. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
HT Kick Off: ISL: The way forward?
As draft documents go, it is heavy on promise for All India Football Federation (AIFF) and clubs in the Indian Super League (ISL). It pitches alignment with global best practices – and that alone should be why AIFF and clubs must go for it – but then gives another reason: compliance with the new draft constitution. For ISL double winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the Salt Lake stadium was a fortress last season. (Samir Jana/HT) So, what's not to like? A lot as it turns out. No promotion and relegation in ISL for the next 10 years for one. Apart from what's-in-it-for-us for I-League clubs, it is not in line with what was proposed and accepted in 2019 by Asia's apex body. And since, as part of the proposal, it is AIFF's responsibility to deal with Asian Football Confederation and FIFA, I am guessing the onus will be on the federation to explain why. After allowing promotion for two seasons, ISL proposes to be a closed league again, the difference being that this time it will also be India's top tier competition. The argument that I-League clubs have not helped improve the standard is complicated. True, Mohammedan Sporting hit a new high in abjection and have been beset by financial problems but Punjab FC also qualified through that route and have shown they can compete. In their second season, Punjab FC finished above two teams that have been in ISL way longer. Even after parachute payments, 10 of the last 15 teams promoted to the Premier League went down the next season but that has not got the world's most watched league to stop relegation. For the second successive Premier League season all three promoted teams have gone down. Surviving in the top tier is difficult – Nottingham Forest needed 57 signings and some £125m to make an impact – everywhere but how can clubs not be allowed to dream of doing what Ipswich Town (1961-62), Forest (1977-78) and Kaiserslautern (1997-98) did? All three won the top league in the season they were promoted. And if off-the-field problems are the ones that worry those who conceived ISL, well, it would be difficult to look beyond what hit Hyderabad FC in 2023-24. Financial problems led to the club being hit with transfer bans and a host of players leaving months after head coach Manolo Marquez did. Clubs formed with ISL have had protection from relegation for 11 seasons. Granted, it takes time to grow the culture but how much have they done to suggest they are on the right path and would need insulation for another 10 years? Joint-venture: Are clubs able? The plan to form a company to run ISL is in line with global best practices and the document lists the Big Five in Europe and Asian countries doing it. As far as I know, the document or its contents was shared with clubs before being sent to AIFF. And that they had agreed in principle with the proposals. But should six ISL clubs failing the Premier 1 license test not come in the way of them being co-owners of ISL? More so, because this was hardly the first time ISL clubs flunked licensing tests. Should FC Goa, NorthEast United, Odisha FC, Hyderabad FC, Kerala Blasters and Mohammedan Sporting therefore be allowed to own a stake in a joint-venture company despite not meeting all the licensing requirements? ISL double winners, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mumbai City FC, Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur FC, Chennayin FC, Mumbai City FC and East Bengal made the grade after paying fines. The only club to have ticked all the boxes? Punjab FC. Punjab FC, promoted from I-League in 2023-24, were the only ISL club to clear the licence test without paying a fine. ( ISL) While it is indeed best practice to allow clubs to have a say in the running of a competition that is about them, what is not clear is why that company should also get to own rights for national team matches in perpetuity? As per the draft document, national team matches will be the property of a company where AIFF, technically sole guardians of all India teams, has only 14% stake. What was AIFF doing? The document was sent to AIFF in March. It was read out in the next executive committee meeting but why were copies not circulated? Wouldn't that have given the members a chance to better engage with ideas meant to shape the future of ISL, India teams and AIFF's responsibilities? Also, when it was known to all that the current agreement ends in 2025, why was the conversation over the future of AIFF-FSDL relationship stalled after it began in 2023? It was sub-judice then, it is sub-judice now. And if AIFF has an answer to Bhaichung Bhutia's question, we are yet to hear it. They went, listened and had pizza, Bhutia said in his latest salvo on AIFF. Accepted in this form, AIFF could have a lot to answer for. For now, though reports of ISL not happening may be somewhat exaggerated, as are claims that clubs are not working the transfer market, but it is likely the 2025-26 season will not start in September. That has hit the Durand Cup. Clubs have pulled out of the world' third oldest tournament because it makes no sense to start pre-seasons as usual when the start of the season is likely to be delayed. PLAY OF THE WEEK PLAY OF THE WEEK
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Indian football in freefall: Goa FA blames AIFF deputy secretary general M. Satyanarayana as crisis deepens
NEW DELHI: Indian football's decline is no longer a blip; it's a nosedive. And now, in a strongly-worded letter addressed to the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Goa Football Association (GFA) president Dr. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Caitano Jose Fernandes has laid the blame squarely on the AIFF's doorstep. The formal complaint targets Deputy Secretary General M. Satyanarayana, accusing him of administrative failure, political interference, and contributing to the national team's slide into irrelevance. 'I write to formally bring to your notice the concerning performance and deteriorating results of the Indian National team that has left us in a precarious position on the road to qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup,' wrote Fernandes. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. 'There have been reports that the preparations for the National team were not ideal and much of the blame has to be put on the administration headed by the Deputy Secretary General Mr. M Satyanarayana, whose handling of crucial matters has severely damaged Indian football since he assumed his role at the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in August 2023." The letter cites several allegations: mismanagement, a breakdown in governance, interference in technical matters, and even unconstitutional moves such as halting I-League relegation without proper authorisation. Fernandes warned of 'a toxic culture of political manipulation' that has hollowed Indian football from within. This institutional mess coincides with India's collapse on the pitch. The senior men's national team suffered a disastrous 0-1 loss to lower-ranked Hong Kong in a crucial 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier just a fortnight ago. The result pushed India to 133rd in the latest FIFA rankings, just two spots off their worst in a decade. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In the Asian Football Confederation zone, India now rank 24th out of 46, behind the likes of Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, and Vietnam. The manner of the defeat only added salt to the wound. After creating a few promising chances in the first half, India conceded deep into injury time. A rash challenge by goalkeeper Vishal Kaith on Hong Kong's Michael Udebuluzor led to a penalty, which Stefan Pereira calmly converted in the 94th minute. Poll How do you feel about the future of Indian football? Optimistic Pessimistic Indifferent India's finishing woes were again on display as Ashique Kuruniyan missed from close range, and even the returning Sunil Chhetri failed to connect cleanly from six yards out. On that, scoring just five goals in two years highlights how significantly the Indian forwards have declined over time. 40-year-old Chhetri's comeback from retirement had sparked brief hope, but the veteran's presence alone hasn't been enough to lift the team that has won just one of their last 16 games across competitions. Off the field, uncertainty continues to cloud the national setup. Former head coach Igor Stimac's messy exit last year was followed by the appointment of Manolo Marquez, who has since juggled dual responsibilities as India coach and FC Goa manager. 'Cricketers Aren't Cattle... ': Harish Thawani on the IPL and Business of Indian Cricket Once considered an emerging footballing nation, having reached a FIFA ranking of 96 in 2018 and competing closely with sides like Jordan, India now face a grim reality check. The same Jordan side, which India narrowly lost to in 2018, has since reached the final of the AFC Asian Cup and qualified for the 2026 World Cup. India, meanwhile, are struggling to get the ball into the back of the net.
