Latest news with #ISL
Canada Standard
a day ago
- Sport
- Canada Standard
Legends in Yellow: Kerala Blasters FC's all-time best XI
New Delhi [India], June 27 (ANI): Kerala Blasters FC have carved out their identity as one of the most iconic clubs in the Indian Super League (ISL), driven by the unwavering passion of its fans and the relentless support of the Yellow Army over the years, according to the official website of ISL. The club has been a very important part of the ISL fabric and continues to be the centre of all the drama that unfolds in the league. Kerala Blasters FC's journey has been one of ups and downs, which has exuded the kind of emotions that add so much colour to the ISL. The fandom for the Blasters is so high that, whether it's season time or off-season, the club forms a large part of the daily conversations within the football community in the state. One topic that often invites a lot of debate and opinions is picking a club's best-ever team. The choice between the red-hot performers of the present and the stars of yesteryears often puts fans in a fix and that's where the fun is. There was a lot of competition for the place between the Kerala Blasters FC goal with the likes of the legendary David James, Sandip Nandy, Albino Gomes and Sachin Suresh in the equation, but it's Prabhsukhan Singh Gill that has found favour with us due to his consistent displays at the club. Gill joined Kerala Blasters FC in September 2020 but had to wait over a year to make his ISL debut as he spent his first season at the club being deputy to Gomes. It was when the latter got injured that Gill finally got his chance and the goalkeeper grabbed it with both hands. He made 20 appearances for the Blasters in the 2021-22 season, keeping seven clean sheets, helping his team reach the ISL Cup final. He won the ISL Golden Glove award in his breakthrough season to cement his place in the starting XI. He had another solid campaign in the 2022-23 season as the Blasters qualified for the playoffs for the second season in a row, for the first time in their history. Gill may have departed for East Bengal FC, but his contribution to the Blasters shines through. A player that often flies under the radar, Sandeep Singh has been putting in a shift for the Blasters at right-back for five straight seasons, week in and week out. With over 70 appearances for the club, Sandeep has been a very consistent performer for the club who often leaves everything on the field for the Blasters. He beat some big names in Rahul Bheke, Harmanjot Khabra, Pritam Kotal and Mohammad Rakip to take his place in the all-time Kerala Blasters FC's starting XI. Jessel Carneiro is Kerala Blasters FC through and through and it was evident from his performances every time he donned the yellow jersey. He joined the club in 2019 and instantly became a hit at left-back as he featured in 18 ISL games and provided four assists. His rise in the Kerala Blasters FC side was further rubber-stamped when he was made the captain in December 2020. Carneiro fulfilled the responsibility with great effect as he translated the fans' passion for the badge onto the pitch through his performances. The Blasters have had some good left-backs over the years in Nishu Kumar, Naocha Singh, Lalruatthara but none of them could quite match the performance of Carneiro and what he meant for Kerala Blasters FC. Sandesh Jhingan arrived at Kerala Blasters FC as a raw youngster and left as one of the best centre-backs in the league. He grew with the club during his six seasons there, making 76 ISL appearances. He was a key defender in their run to the final in 2014 and 2016 and also captained the team from 2017 onwards in many games till his departure in 2020. He is an obvious choice for the centre-back role in the club's all-time starting XI. Cedric Hengbart gets the nod for the second central defender in KBFC's all-time starting XI, just edging out Marko Leskovic. Hengbart played just 30 games across two seasons with the Blasters as compared to Leskovic's 48 ISL appearances but the Frenchman had a huge impact on the team during his time at the club. A true leader on the pitch, Hengbart led the team to the finals in each of his two campaigns with the Blasters. Jeakson Singh came into the senior team at Kerala Blasters FC from its reserve team and grew in stature with each passing season. He came into his own under Ivan Vukomanovic, where he cemented his place in the starting XI and transformed into one of India's best defensive midfielders. His presence in midfield allowed the likes of Adrian Luna and Sahal Abdul Samad room to express themselves in the final third. He made 78 ISL appearances for Kerala Blasters FC and also helped the club reach the final in 2021-22. He edges Mehtab Hossain in this all-time XI for his long service at the club and the sheer consistency with which he performed. No all-time KBFC XI can be complete without the Uruguayan who has become one of the Blasters' very own. With over 70 appearances, Adrian Luna has scored 13 times for the team and provided 23 assists and has been the creative spark of the side. He has also warmed up to the fans and has managed to get them on the edge of their seats every time he has received the ball. Luna has a deep bond with the Kerala Blasters FC faithful and is the club's most iconic figure. Sahal Abdul Samad captured the imagination of the Kerala Blasters FC fans with his mesmerising footwork and silky skills and became an instant fan favourite. The central attacking midfielder who joined the club as a youngster in 2017-18 left as the player with the most appearances for the Blasters in the ISL. His record of 92 appearances remains intact to date. He delivered 10 goals and eight assists for the club and gave plenty of young fans in Kerala a role model to follow. Sahal moved to Mohun Bagan Super Giant in 2023, but his KBFC legacy is unquestionable. CK Vineeth is another darling of the Kerala Blasters FC fans and rightly so. He gave everything for the shirt while playing in different positions and always stepped up when it mattered the most. A tally of 11 goals and two assists in 42 ISL matches was a commendable return for the forward, who is most fondly remembered for his late brace against rivals Chennaiyin FC in the 2016 season. Rahul KP and Prasanth K were players who were close challengers to Vineeth for this spot, but Vineeth's aura in a KBFC jersey was just different. Hume was one of the first stars of Kerala Blasters FC and it all began after he scored the club's first-ever goal in the ISL in the 2014 season. Hume embodied determination, fighting spirit and cold-blooded precision in the final third, which the fans quickly developed a fondness for and Hume paid back the love with excellence in his performances. Hume scored four times in the regular ISL season in 2014 and netted one and assisted another in their 3-0 first-leg win over Chennaiyin FC in the semi-final. The Canadian returned to the Blasters in 2017-18 and scored five times. Hume may not have the best numbers in a Kerala Blasters FC shirt but the impact that he made on the field was beyond mere statistics. Kerala Blasters FC's all-time leading goalscorer, Dimitrios Diamantakos, completes the line-up as he takes up the centre-forward position. With 23 goals and six assists in 38 ISL appearances for Kerala Blasters FC, Diamatakos was a lethal weapon in the armour for Vukomanovic's side. He won the ISL Golden Boot award in the 2023-24 season and became the first Kerala Blasters FC player to do so. Bartholomew Ogbeche was another candidate for this position, having scored 15 goals in 16 ISL matches for the Blasters in the 2019-20 season but Diamantakos got the nod, having helped the Blasters reach the playoffs in both seasons that he was in Kochi. Ivan Vukomanovic is the longest-serving manager at a club in ISL history. The Serbian transformed a club that was struggling to challenge at the top of the table into consistent challengers and also led the Blasters to the ISL Cup final in 2021-22. Vukomanovic also built a strong bond with the fans that remains special even after his departure. David James did a good job in Kochi in his two stints at the club and so did Steve Coppell, leading Blasters to a second-place finish in the league and the ISL Cup final in 2016, but Vukomanovic's work at Kerala Blasters FC remains superior. (ANI)
Canada News.Net
a day ago
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
Legends in Yellow: Kerala Blasters FC's all-time best XI
New Delhi [India], June 27 (ANI): Kerala Blasters FC have carved out their identity as one of the most iconic clubs in the Indian Super League (ISL), driven by the unwavering passion of its fans and the relentless support of the Yellow Army over the years, according to the official website of ISL. The club has been a very important part of the ISL fabric and continues to be the centre of all the drama that unfolds in the league. Kerala Blasters FC's journey has been one of ups and downs, which has exuded the kind of emotions that add so much colour to the ISL. The fandom for the Blasters is so high that, whether it's season time or off-season, the club forms a large part of the daily conversations within the football community in the state. One topic that often invites a lot of debate and opinions is picking a club's best-ever team. The choice between the red-hot performers of the present and the stars of yesteryears often puts fans in a fix and that's where the fun is. There was a lot of competition for the place between the Kerala Blasters FC goal with the likes of the legendary David James, Sandip Nandy, Albino Gomes and Sachin Suresh in the equation, but it's Prabhsukhan Singh Gill that has found favour with us due to his consistent displays at the club. Gill joined Kerala Blasters FC in September 2020 but had to wait over a year to make his ISL debut as he spent his first season at the club being deputy to Gomes. It was when the latter got injured that Gill finally got his chance and the goalkeeper grabbed it with both hands. He made 20 appearances for the Blasters in the 2021-22 season, keeping seven clean sheets, helping his team reach the ISL Cup final. He won the ISL Golden Glove award in his breakthrough season to cement his place in the starting XI. He had another solid campaign in the 2022-23 season as the Blasters qualified for the playoffs for the second season in a row, for the first time in their history. Gill may have departed for East Bengal FC, but his contribution to the Blasters shines through. A player that often flies under the radar, Sandeep Singh has been putting in a shift for the Blasters at right-back for five straight seasons, week in and week out. With over 70 appearances for the club, Sandeep has been a very consistent performer for the club who often leaves everything on the field for the Blasters. He beat some big names in Rahul Bheke, Harmanjot Khabra, Pritam Kotal and Mohammad Rakip to take his place in the all-time Kerala Blasters FC's starting XI. Jessel Carneiro is Kerala Blasters FC through and through and it was evident from his performances every time he donned the yellow jersey. He joined the club in 2019 and instantly became a hit at left-back as he featured in 18 ISL games and provided four assists. His rise in the Kerala Blasters FC side was further rubber-stamped when he was made the captain in December 2020. Carneiro fulfilled the responsibility with great effect as he translated the fans' passion for the badge onto the pitch through his performances. The Blasters have had some good left-backs over the years in Nishu Kumar, Naocha Singh, Lalruatthara but none of them could quite match the performance of Carneiro and what he meant for Kerala Blasters FC. Sandesh Jhingan arrived at Kerala Blasters FC as a raw youngster and left as one of the best centre-backs in the league. He grew with the club during his six seasons there, making 76 ISL appearances. He was a key defender in their run to the final in 2014 and 2016 and also captained the team from 2017 onwards in many games till his departure in 2020. He is an obvious choice for the centre-back role in the club's all-time starting XI. Cedric Hengbart gets the nod for the second central defender in KBFC's all-time starting XI, just edging out Marko Leskovic. Hengbart played just 30 games across two seasons with the Blasters as compared to Leskovic's 48 ISL appearances but the Frenchman had a huge impact on the team during his time at the club. A true leader on the pitch, Hengbart led the team to the finals in each of his two campaigns with the Blasters. Jeakson Singh came into the senior team at Kerala Blasters FC from its reserve team and grew in stature with each passing season. He came into his own under Ivan Vukomanovic, where he cemented his place in the starting XI and transformed into one of India's best defensive midfielders. His presence in midfield allowed the likes of Adrian Luna and Sahal Abdul Samad room to express themselves in the final third. He made 78 ISL appearances for Kerala Blasters FC and also helped the club reach the final in 2021-22. He edges Mehtab Hossain in this all-time XI for his long service at the club and the sheer consistency with which he performed. No all-time KBFC XI can be complete without the Uruguayan who has become one of the Blasters' very own. With over 70 appearances, Adrian Luna has scored 13 times for the team and provided 23 assists and has been the creative spark of the side. He has also warmed up to the fans and has managed to get them on the edge of their seats every time he has received the ball. Luna has a deep bond with the Kerala Blasters FC faithful and is the club's most iconic figure. Sahal Abdul Samad captured the imagination of the Kerala Blasters FC fans with his mesmerising footwork and silky skills and became an instant fan favourite. The central attacking midfielder who joined the club as a youngster in 2017-18 left as the player with the most appearances for the Blasters in the ISL. His record of 92 appearances remains intact to date. He delivered 10 goals and eight assists for the club and gave plenty of young fans in Kerala a role model to follow. Sahal moved to Mohun Bagan Super Giant in 2023, but his KBFC legacy is unquestionable. CK Vineeth is another darling of the Kerala Blasters FC fans and rightly so. He gave everything for the shirt while playing in different positions and always stepped up when it mattered the most. A tally of 11 goals and two assists in 42 ISL matches was a commendable return for the forward, who is most fondly remembered for his late brace against rivals Chennaiyin FC in the 2016 season. Rahul KP and Prasanth K were players who were close challengers to Vineeth for this spot, but Vineeth's aura in a KBFC jersey was just different. Hume was one of the first stars of Kerala Blasters FC and it all began after he scored the club's first-ever goal in the ISL in the 2014 season. Hume embodied determination, fighting spirit and cold-blooded precision in the final third, which the fans quickly developed a fondness for and Hume paid back the love with excellence in his performances. Hume scored four times in the regular ISL season in 2014 and netted one and assisted another in their 3-0 first-leg win over Chennaiyin FC in the semi-final. The Canadian returned to the Blasters in 2017-18 and scored five times. Hume may not have the best numbers in a Kerala Blasters FC shirt but the impact that he made on the field was beyond mere statistics. Kerala Blasters FC's all-time leading goalscorer, Dimitrios Diamantakos, completes the line-up as he takes up the centre-forward position. With 23 goals and six assists in 38 ISL appearances for Kerala Blasters FC, Diamatakos was a lethal weapon in the armour for Vukomanovic's side. He won the ISL Golden Boot award in the 2023-24 season and became the first Kerala Blasters FC player to do so. Bartholomew Ogbeche was another candidate for this position, having scored 15 goals in 16 ISL matches for the Blasters in the 2019-20 season but Diamantakos got the nod, having helped the Blasters reach the playoffs in both seasons that he was in Kochi. Ivan Vukomanovic is the longest-serving manager at a club in ISL history. The Serbian transformed a club that was struggling to challenge at the top of the table into consistent challengers and also led the Blasters to the ISL Cup final in 2021-22. Vukomanovic also built a strong bond with the fans that remains special even after his departure. David James did a good job in Kochi in his two stints at the club and so did Steve Coppell, leading Blasters to a second-place finish in the league and the ISL Cup final in 2016, but Vukomanovic's work at Kerala Blasters FC remains superior. (ANI)
India Gazette
a day ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Legends in Yellow: Kerala Blasters FC's all-time best XI
New Delhi [India], June 27 (ANI): Kerala Blasters FC have carved out their identity as one of the most iconic clubs in the Indian Super League (ISL), driven by the unwavering passion of its fans and the relentless support of the Yellow Army over the years, according to the official website of ISL. The club has been a very important part of the ISL fabric and continues to be the centre of all the drama that unfolds in the league. Kerala Blasters FC's journey has been one of ups and downs, which has exuded the kind of emotions that add so much colour to the ISL. The fandom for the Blasters is so high that, whether it's season time or off-season, the club forms a large part of the daily conversations within the football community in the state. One topic that often invites a lot of debate and opinions is picking a club's best-ever team. The choice between the red-hot performers of the present and the stars of yesteryears often puts fans in a fix and that's where the fun is. There was a lot of competition for the place between the Kerala Blasters FC goal with the likes of the legendary David James, Sandip Nandy, Albino Gomes and Sachin Suresh in the equation, but it's Prabhsukhan Singh Gill that has found favour with us due to his consistent displays at the club. Gill joined Kerala Blasters FC in September 2020 but had to wait over a year to make his ISL debut as he spent his first season at the club being deputy to Gomes. It was when the latter got injured that Gill finally got his chance and the goalkeeper grabbed it with both hands. He made 20 appearances for the Blasters in the 2021-22 season, keeping seven clean sheets, helping his team reach the ISL Cup final. He won the ISL Golden Glove award in his breakthrough season to cement his place in the starting XI. He had another solid campaign in the 2022-23 season as the Blasters qualified for the playoffs for the second season in a row, for the first time in their history. Gill may have departed for East Bengal FC, but his contribution to the Blasters shines through. A player that often flies under the radar, Sandeep Singh has been putting in a shift for the Blasters at right-back for five straight seasons, week in and week out. With over 70 appearances for the club, Sandeep has been a very consistent performer for the club who often leaves everything on the field for the Blasters. He beat some big names in Rahul Bheke, Harmanjot Khabra, Pritam Kotal and Mohammad Rakip to take his place in the all-time Kerala Blasters FC's starting XI. Jessel Carneiro is Kerala Blasters FC through and through and it was evident from his performances every time he donned the yellow jersey. He joined the club in 2019 and instantly became a hit at left-back as he featured in 18 ISL games and provided four assists. His rise in the Kerala Blasters FC side was further rubber-stamped when he was made the captain in December 2020. Carneiro fulfilled the responsibility with great effect as he translated the fans' passion for the badge onto the pitch through his performances. The Blasters have had some good left-backs over the years in Nishu Kumar, Naocha Singh, Lalruatthara but none of them could quite match the performance of Carneiro and what he meant for Kerala Blasters FC. Sandesh Jhingan arrived at Kerala Blasters FC as a raw youngster and left as one of the best centre-backs in the league. He grew with the club during his six seasons there, making 76 ISL appearances. He was a key defender in their run to the final in 2014 and 2016 and also captained the team from 2017 onwards in many games till his departure in 2020. He is an obvious choice for the centre-back role in the club's all-time starting XI. Cedric Hengbart gets the nod for the second central defender in KBFC's all-time starting XI, just edging out Marko Leskovic. Hengbart played just 30 games across two seasons with the Blasters as compared to Leskovic's 48 ISL appearances but the Frenchman had a huge impact on the team during his time at the club. A true leader on the pitch, Hengbart led the team to the finals in each of his two campaigns with the Blasters. Jeakson Singh came into the senior team at Kerala Blasters FC from its reserve team and grew in stature with each passing season. He came into his own under Ivan Vukomanovic, where he cemented his place in the starting XI and transformed into one of India's best defensive midfielders. His presence in midfield allowed the likes of Adrian Luna and Sahal Abdul Samad room to express themselves in the final third. He made 78 ISL appearances for Kerala Blasters FC and also helped the club reach the final in 2021-22. He edges Mehtab Hossain in this all-time XI for his long service at the club and the sheer consistency with which he performed. No all-time KBFC XI can be complete without the Uruguayan who has become one of the Blasters' very own. With over 70 appearances, Adrian Luna has scored 13 times for the team and provided 23 assists and has been the creative spark of the side. He has also warmed up to the fans and has managed to get them on the edge of their seats every time he has received the ball. Luna has a deep bond with the Kerala Blasters FC faithful and is the club's most iconic figure. Sahal Abdul Samad captured the imagination of the Kerala Blasters FC fans with his mesmerising footwork and silky skills and became an instant fan favourite. The central attacking midfielder who joined the club as a youngster in 2017-18 left as the player with the most appearances for the Blasters in the ISL. His record of 92 appearances remains intact to date. He delivered 10 goals and eight assists for the club and gave plenty of young fans in Kerala a role model to follow. Sahal moved to Mohun Bagan Super Giant in 2023, but his KBFC legacy is unquestionable. CK Vineeth is another darling of the Kerala Blasters FC fans and rightly so. He gave everything for the shirt while playing in different positions and always stepped up when it mattered the most. A tally of 11 goals and two assists in 42 ISL matches was a commendable return for the forward, who is most fondly remembered for his late brace against rivals Chennaiyin FC in the 2016 season. Rahul KP and Prasanth K were players who were close challengers to Vineeth for this spot, but Vineeth's aura in a KBFC jersey was just different. Hume was one of the first stars of Kerala Blasters FC and it all began after he scored the club's first-ever goal in the ISL in the 2014 season. Hume embodied determination, fighting spirit and cold-blooded precision in the final third, which the fans quickly developed a fondness for and Hume paid back the love with excellence in his performances. Hume scored four times in the regular ISL season in 2014 and netted one and assisted another in their 3-0 first-leg win over Chennaiyin FC in the semi-final. The Canadian returned to the Blasters in 2017-18 and scored five times. Hume may not have the best numbers in a Kerala Blasters FC shirt but the impact that he made on the field was beyond mere statistics. Kerala Blasters FC's all-time leading goalscorer, Dimitrios Diamantakos, completes the line-up as he takes up the centre-forward position. With 23 goals and six assists in 38 ISL appearances for Kerala Blasters FC, Diamatakos was a lethal weapon in the armour for Vukomanovic's side. He won the ISL Golden Boot award in the 2023-24 season and became the first Kerala Blasters FC player to do so. Bartholomew Ogbeche was another candidate for this position, having scored 15 goals in 16 ISL matches for the Blasters in the 2019-20 season but Diamantakos got the nod, having helped the Blasters reach the playoffs in both seasons that he was in Kochi. Ivan Vukomanovic is the longest-serving manager at a club in ISL history. The Serbian transformed a club that was struggling to challenge at the top of the table into consistent challengers and also led the Blasters to the ISL Cup final in 2021-22. Vukomanovic also built a strong bond with the fans that remains special even after his departure. David James did a good job in Kochi in his two stints at the club and so did Steve Coppell, leading Blasters to a second-place finish in the league and the ISL Cup final in 2016, but Vukomanovic's work at Kerala Blasters FC remains superior. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
a day 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
The Wire
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Wire
V Town Chronicles Echoes the Unspoken Pain and Vulnerability of Men with ‘Kya Hu Mein?'
As conversations on men's mental health quietly resurface—a stark reminder of the silent battles many fight—Mumbai-based music collective V Town Chronicles, in collaboration with socially conscious label Lucifer Music, releases Kya Hu Mein?, a soul-stirring anthem that speaks directly to the hearts of those silently suffering. This is not just a song. It is a moment of reckoning. A voice for the unheard. A beat for the broken. Crafted by artists Aasif, Astarif, Bless Aces, and Remo Music, Kya Hu Mein? emerges like a raw diary entry set to music. The track moves away from bravado and bling, opening a vulnerable conversation around self-doubt, internal chaos, and the emotional stigma so often dismissed in male narratives. With stripped-down production and a haunting melody, the song grips listeners from its first breath and doesn't let go. Each lyric lingers, like a question never asked aloud: Who am I now? Am I still whole? Do I matter? A spokesperson from V Town Chronicles shares, 'This isn't just our song—it's every man's mirror. We grew up being told to stay silent, to stay strong. But strength is speaking. Strength is feeling. If even one person feels less alone after hearing Kya Hu Mein?, we've done what we came for.' Backing the track is Lucifer Music, a young but visionary label known for championing socially conscious content. Their intent is not just to make noise—but to make a difference. Earlier this year, the label led India's first mainstream rap campaign with Indian Sign Language integration through The Right Sign initiative. In partnership with Signing Hands Foundation, Wondrlab, and VerSe Innovation, artists including V Town Chronicles replaced gang-style gestures with ISL signs—promoting inclusivity and awareness through rhythm and motion. Gaurav Chanana, founder of Lucifer Music, says, 'At Lucifer Music, we believe sound has the power to heal, to question, and to change. With Kya Hu Mein?, we aren't chasing charts—we're chasing truth. This track is about giving men the space to be vulnerable, to feel, to be human. Music should start conversations where silence has ruled for too long.' V Town Chronicles—born in Mumbai's Vikhroli—has evolved from hyper-local storytellers into a rising voice for emotional truth. Their earlier release Hafta, a concept EP based on seven moods across seven days, showcased their range. But Kya Hu Mein? is their most personal, most poignant offering yet. In multiple languages—Hindi, Marathi, Urdu, English, and Malayalam—they spin verses that reach beyond the speaker. Because grief doesn't speak one tongue. And neither does healing. As social media lights up the conversation around mental health and masculinity, Kya Hu Mein? arrives like a balm. It does not scream. It does not demand. It simply speaks—for those who cannot. And in that whisper, there is power. Let the world hear. Let the men cry. Let the music hold them. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).
