All India Football Farts {All India Football Federation (AIFF

The AIFF has been responsible for the affairs of football in India since its inception in 1937 in Shimla. FIFA then approved the formation of this body in 1948 and through this set up Indian football, which initially lacked a firm institution, now had an organization to give a proper boost and direction to the game.
One man who has headed the AIFF for 18 years is the Indian Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ministry Mr.Priyaranjan Dasmunshi, a position he has kept control of since 1988. His report cards on football are not impressive but let’s spare the time to judge what the man heading the body of the “beautiful game” has done in India. Of course, it is only in India where we would find the ‘minister of propaganda’ as the head of the football federation! It certainly helps to whirl the bad news of the long-lasting state of misery that Indian football finds itself in.

So, let’s see how the minister fairs up, after all 18 years is a significant time to affect a turnaround in a sport’s fortunes. In these 18 years India has not qualified for the World Cup and five of them have gone by. So what, many other countries have not qualified for the World Cup at all! It is a dream, many have not achieved. The Asian Cup perhaps? India last qualified for it in 1984 and after a 4-1 win in the 2008 AFC finals India gained direct entry to the prestigious Asian tournament after 24 years. Indian football is no stranger to adversity, hence to gain its points the relief comes from the South Asian Football Federation Cup (SAFF). Established in 1977 and includes countries like Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Maldives. These wins merit two lines in the FIFA news briefs and India has won four out of the last six titles.

The SAFF Cup has become the vital source of India’s wishy-washy movement in the FIFA rankings. The exposure tours to Portugal by the Indian team were initiatives of the national coach Bob Houghton who put pressure more than a request to the AIFF to let the team train abroad with facilities which are world-class. And the results of those trips were victory in the Nehru Cup 2007 and AFC Cup 2008. With back to back wins and gaining a promotion in the FIFA ranking, 151st position is definitely low but for Indian football a certain rise. The President has done very little to prop up the national team to play more matches to perk up the ranking or to gain international experience as a team.

In 18 years, the AIFF has changed 9 coaches producing no results and with Bob Houghton now taking over the hot seat his style of coaching seems to fit the Indian team and their success speaks for itself. But instead of investing in an experienced coach from the beginning to keep the game alive, the AIFF killed the interest of many football lovers in India by choosing to be lethargic about these vital decisions concerning the sport. Football stadia in the country lack basic facilities like dressing rooms, proper wash-rooms etc which is extremely disappointing. The federation has been oblivious to the basic details which play a major role in building the image of the game. Talking exclusively to this blog, Indian midfielder Mehrajuddin Wadoo explains this point further, “the poor condition of the game is because of the AIFF, FIFA and the government. They are not generous in providing proper facilities for footballers. We don’t get the same facilities like our European counterparts and that’s why the game is not so popular in many parts of the country.”

Basic infrastructure requirements and a need for youth programmes form the opening of a long list of complaints. The next blooper gives us a better picture of the mess. “When we are promised something, we should be getting it but it’s really pathetic that we have to wait for months together to see our promises materialize by the AIFF” says another national footballer who prefers to remain unnamed. Referring to the “promised something” as the match fees that is not delivered to the players on time. He then went on to make a stronger point saying, “The promises made by people (AIFF) have only been “air-talk”, look at the cricketers they get cores of rupees when they win, we are not money hungry but if we are promised something then it should be delivered.” This clearly shows how the AIFF is treating its players by denying them even their basic rights, leave alone making improvements in the facilities for the men who serve the national team. But despite all the odds the passion for the game drives most players to go out on the field and perform for their country time after time and the federation seems to abuse that passion. Sunil Chhetri remarks about this situation by saying, “Every time we wear the blue jersey and stand for the national anthem, it is an amazing feeling. The money generated while playing for the country isn’t enormous and we survive on the bulk of money we get playing for clubs.”

FIFA’s vision statement for Indian football is “Win in India with India” a programme designed to promote the game in the country and improve the present scenario. But despite the efforts being made by FIFA, Priyaranjan Dasmunshi and his team have been largely unsuccessful in abiding to any of the promises that were made on paper. Come to think of it, FIFA should give a red card to AIFF for the state of our football. An optimistic Sunil Chhetri explains what should be done by the AIFF, “The federation, coaches, players and media need to come together for the betterment of football.”

There are plenty that the AIFF needs to address if, that is, it harbours hopes of making India a big footballing country even in Asia. The federation needs to have a professional approach and avoid bloopers. Perhaps someone needs to also challenge the minister who has occupied the seat for 18 years, a revamp of the office maybe? FIFA President, Joseph S.Blatter made a trip to India to promote the vision statement in India and remarked about the football condition, “In many aspects, India is a sleeping giant which needs to wake up.” It’s now AIFF’s duty to respond to the vision statement and work towards bearing some fruits or else the sleeping giant shall be rest to peace forever. And India should not miss a chance to leave a footprint into the most “beautiful game”.

Natasha D’souza
(An Indian football lover who wants CHANGE)

Feeling African for a CHANGE!

Among many faces of humanity that of love, care, affection, hatred, jealousy, terrorism, castes differences etc individuals will also find one of the most hurting and cruel faces of “Racism”. The world is obsessed with the ‘White Skin’ and every Sally, Molly, Dolly, Tom, Dick and Harry wants to have a fair skin or else they might not have perfection in getting the right man/woman to marry, plight of discomfort in a dark skin is what they don’t want to be part off. And in the process the person is so focused in getting the results in the said time period. The whites have clearly had the upper hand for a long time. But is that all about to CHANGE... I know the word has been tossed around a lot but are we going to witness something different?

Yes, the Obama historic win and the Lewis Hamilton win have become unforgettable images of an ultimate success no longer restrained because of the colour of their skin. When the twin towers came crashing down the world was never going to be the same again. Yet again is that period when change comes over and things will not be the same again as America gets its first black president and the F1 world its first black race champion. The world is watching and is not blind to the success that the “black man” has achieved purely on self- belief and the determination to be a name of change.

The Obama effect will take a long to fade off from the minds of the people and that’s a good thing because the racist attacks will increase manifold and it would be one of the challenges that has always remained an issue to deal with. So what’s the whole gig here, we know that the topic has been jabbed around by many people and my point here is no different just that this time I was there to witness how it feels to be Afrosized.

The one thing that you gain knowledge of as a growing journalist is to learn as much as you can and exploit the source of wisdom as well. And I for one have been extremely lucky to be part of the learning curve, its nice to learn something new everyday, discover facts and sometimes even better when your witness to a situation etc. So the following is my side of the story of feeling African for two hours with my friends Elijah and Amos, my football freinds.

We all know India is land of culture, tradition and rich ancient history. A place where a thousand gods reside of all faith and perhaps that’s what makes the world marvel at us. And despite many communal problems we have survived and still will for centuries together, religious harmony is something that we are all learning. But the new fade creating a problem in the land of the gods is the colour of the skin you have. That’s right the “colour” a very racist idea but that’s the fact and I wonder if they’ll declare a holocaust on having a darker shade of skin.

For an African visiting the city it’s always a tough task to survive not because they get bullied easy while street shopping like every other foreigner but because they have the “black skin” and are normally known to be cheats and drug addicts. And because of stereotype behavior of society, seeing is acting for many individuals hence the dishing out to the Afros is nothing new. It has been happening since a long time, Hitler did it, the Brits did it, the Australian proudly intended to be a white only nation and the classic ‘Apartheid’ movement tops the list. So what happen to my Afro friends and me was the scripted moment…

The guys wanted to grab a bite after getting done with a meticulous training session under the sun and I was there for company. It was a dissimilar occurrence to have the company of African friends as I had never been out before and so I knew I would experience a difference and so was it. We entered Food Inn, an eatery joint at Colaba Causeway, and as we entered the restaurant we got the “look” more than a warm “welcome to my restaurant smile” that a visitor would get otherwise. And that’s where the sense of being lost happened but in my head I could relate more as an African than Indian because I have a darker shade of skin I have been witness to many taunts that I have got purely due to the colour of my skin. And it’s a fact I found hard to digest when I was growing up but obviously I’ve learnt it the hard way and grown out of it.
We made our orders and the waiter swiftly walked away to get us the food. As we waited at least 15-20 minutes for a dish that didn’t require so much time to get cooked…I know coz I’ve been there ordered the same dish and got in like 2minutes. So I enquired with the waiter, “Kya hua order ka” (What’s happen to the order?) And the reply was “yes yes madam!” Both my African friends could also read what was happening, I tried to deviate and got them to talk about football since it was something common we share. As we got talking the food arrived and everybody ate well and enjoyed every bite.

After some lip smackin’ delayed ‘mutton korma curry’, sweet lime soda and banana milkshake we took a walk to the Gateway of India. As we stopped and enjoyed the nightlights we spoke everything almost everything under the night sky and it was among the best date (not in the actual sense now) I have been at, a very interesting conversation in a long time. Guys need to know one thing, women like it when the “men” talk good stuff…so! And we spoke football, history, racism situations, fun stuff, bitched about everything we could accommodate in that time. People passed by and looked with an expression that was “what the hell is an Indian girl doing with two Afro guys?” but I didn’t bother I stood with the lads and enjoyed the conversation and the time spent.

The meeting up with my Afro friends had a perfect climax, it was scary but it was a different thing. On a perfect weekday at the Marine Drive a place that will never get one bored the cool breeze and the night skyline. We sat there enjoying the site and shared our talks and gossiped perpetually about everything and yes Junior and I were trying to understand the “wanted someone who could the 90mins gig”. And Junior has this cheeky smile on every time we talk about it. And as we three are enjoying the evening a silly stranger walks up to us inquiring where my Afro friends were from and that I should go and show them places. I lost it for a minute coz he sneaked up to us and sat to listen to our conversation; in the most polite tone I told him please excuse us. He left mumbling something and a look on his face as if I were a hooker or helping them plot something huge. Silly how you get the looks when you have a coloured man besides you.
The Afro effect is something….and CHANGE beckons us all.

Change is good.

It's natural in football to get taken out of the playing XI if you don't supply the goods and its only wise for any coach to show the players the bench. That's what Mahindra United coach Derrick Pereira did to Steven Dias and NP. Pradeep wanting to do something different and surprisingly it worked to his credit. The team won 2-0 against a struggling Vasco Sports Club.

But then is all the powers of the cosmic at work here or do Steven and NP really bring a bad luck factor to the team?

I would like to think of it as a "bad patch" period for both the lads, i mean its football at the end of it. If you cant kick it, it kicks you. The win was a welcome change to all Mahindra fans as the team is out of relegation zone, for now. The jeep men will have to buckle up and play more consistent football if they aim to finish in the top 3 of the league this season.

Coming back to the Steven Dias, his form has been of concern to many as he faces a never ending ankle injury that is still nagging him to be away from being fully fit. The national team player is always ready to put in an extra effort to play his football with all the energy that he can emote. He is also the instant favourite among the coaches only for his commitment shown to the game. He is always the first to arrive for practise and a total team man as he never picks a favourite team mate over another. "i love all of them" says Steven who is known to entertain his pals with good stand up comedy.

This season may have begun on a rough note for the "Indian dynamo" but a consistent form would do him a world of good. His crucial passes and long ball shots have helped both country and club to get the much needed goals. This Mumbai boy needs to play his football with the same vigour and keep a good run for himself into the beautiful game.

A very humble person off the field and someone who loves to have fun when not playing football, he does boost of a very strong female fans along with his male fans as well. A talented footballer, Steven Dias is one of the hot properties of Indian football and with his skills its only time that he takes his skill out of the country as well.

We wish Stevie D good luck for the season ahead. Hope to see him on the starting XI.

When its not LOVE!

I looked around for you

But all i saw was strangers

I looked around again

But all i saw was shadows of unknown passerby




The third time i looked around

I saw you with another woman

Holding her hands, just the way we used when we were in love.



I was sad, i was wasted, i was mad

Not to read the signals

But i was blinded by the possibilities to be in love with you forever.



You never got the meaning of my love

You never read between the lines

You couldn't be what you said you could be

I think Elvis was right when he wrote the song "Hound Dog"

He wrote it for souls like u.



But am done with the tears and the heartache

Am on my own again

Looking around for someone again

Just a matter of time till am hooked to loving someone again.

Natasha D'souza

I-League 2008-09

It seems as if the script of Manchester United’s start to the season has also got Mahindra United into the loop. Called the Indian “Red Devils”, they have been on the loosing side of the game in their start to the season. The 2008 Durand Cup winners found it tough to retain their stint against the finalist of that tournament -Churchill Brothers and failed to retain their dominance on home turf loosing to newbie’s Chirag United.
The first match against Churchill Brothers was one of the worst performances put by a squad that boasts of national team players. Coach Derrick Pereira said, “We have to improve our game plan and connect our passes and capitalize on the chances that come our way, which we didn’t.” With the transfer saga of Steven Dias and NP.Pradeep put to rest, the team hoped to see a stand-out performance from India’s star players but lack of match practice saw them struggle in the game as well. “They haven’t played any games after the AFC Cup and that’s one reason for their lack of form.” explained the United coach.
The home game for Mahindra United was a perfect chance to gather some confidence into a shaky start to season. The ‘Cooperage’ played host to Chirag United and a houseful crowd made a good contest between one of the strongest team in the league against the newly promoted Chirag United. The first half was dominated by the “Red Devils” and a Sushil Kumar Singh goal put the home team ahead. Chirags’ coach was seen marching down the sidelines often, than his players who failed to connect their passes. Hardeep Singh, who was Chirag’s hero in the last match, took the field before the second-half of play. A gamble which helped Chirag gain control of the game.
After the lemon break, Chirag United came in determined to give in more than just a fight. With better work- rate by most Chirag players, they found the net three times in the second half. And one Hardeep Singh was truly the “King”. Trashing Mahindra United 3-1 on home turf will do a world of good for the considered babies of the I-League.

Natasha D'souza.

No Man’s Land – Where do I belong?

Migration is as old as the first human group. One example is tribes would hunt in groups or pacts. When the hunt would move they would move. The tribe will move wherever they have to so that they can survive. Even now people immigrate. It might be because of war or as a result of a bad government, but whatever the reason immigration will never stop as long as one country has a better place.

RECENT EVENTS and discussions in India's commercial capital should concern everyone in the country. For suddenly, there have been a number of discussions, even at government level, on finding ways to curb the entry of ‘outsiders' into Mumbai. The Maharashtra Government is seriously talking about checking the influx of migrants into the city of Mumbai. The Congress-led State Government argues that the problems Mumbai faces - overstretched infrastructure, inadequate housing, and shortages of basic services - can all be laid at the feet of the thousands of people from other parts of India streaming into the city.
This conclusion is not based on any new data or survey but is prompted by the advent of an election looming on the horizon. For the copyright for the anti-immigrant theme song rests firmly with the Shiv Sena, which currently sits in the Opposition?
There is no disputing the fact that Mumbai grew because of migration. All cities do. Mumbai needed labor for its industries and the port in the last century. This initial migration escalated many times over in the years after Partition. In the decade 1971-81, the migration into the city was even more noticeable. This was the decade that saw major droughts in Maharashtra and elsewhere in the country. Migration was inevitable and Mumbai an obvious draw for the impoverished villager. As for the nature of the migration, repeated surveys have established that the majority of the migrants coming to Mumbai were from rural Maharashtra. Despite this, the bogey that the majority of the people coming into the city are from outside the State persists


Biharis and U.P.-wallahs were targeted by the Shiv Sena chief, Mr. BAL Thackeray, in response to a remark made by the former Prime Minister during a visit to Mumbai. Mr. Vajpayee had pointedly stated that Mumbai belonged to everyone. To which Mr. Thackeray responded by saying it was people from the Prime Minister's home State and neighboring Bihar who were responsible for Mumbai's problems.

The matter could have rested there, dismissed as one of Mr. Thackeray's usual rants. But the Democratic Front Government did not want to be left behind. So the Chief Minister, Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh, called a `high level' meeting to discuss what to do about the influx. He is reported to have said that the Government could take steps to restrict access to certain facilities by new migrants.

Even as such suggestions are mooted, there are constant voices reminding the Government and other advocates of checking the influx that this is not possible under the Indian Constitution. Yet, even this has not deterred the supporters of checks on entry into the city. It is like the Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Everyone is talking nonsense, but with the utmost seriousness.
However, while the talk of migration and `influx' is an obvious red herring, the need to find additional resources for Mumbai is a clear need. Of course, any talk of seeing Mumbai as a city with a special status immediately rings alarm bells in Maharashtra, and particularly in the Shiv Sena. ``Mumbai belongs to Maharashtra,'' is the constant refrain. Yet, the rest of the State is not able to find the funds to meet the needs of Mumbai. So Mumbai has to belong to India in the true sense of the term and the financial investment in its growth and maintenance must come from outside the State.
Here is a look at some Mumbai stats and facts.
1. Almost 54 per cent of Mumbaikars live in slums today.
2. Another 25 to 30 per cent live in chawls and footpaths.
3. Remaining 10 to 15 per cent live in buildings, bungalows or high-rises.

Future of the city...
Sources say that factors like the halt to the slum demolition scheme, the unhindered migration into the city, antiquated housing laws and sky-rocketing real estate prices, will see slums overtake the Mumbai skyline, in another 20 years.
From being known as slum capital of the country, Mumbai is now all But what can one do or say...after all "Yeh Hai Mumbai, Meri Jaan".set to become the slum capital of the world.

Migration has to stop
It is estimated that 100 to 300 new families come to Mumbai every day and most land up in a slum colony or just erect a shanty on the nearest available footpath. We need our politicians to not only speak about issues of concern but to start work on them immediately. All talk and no action is going to benefit none.
Professor R N Sharma, head of the Urban Studies unit in Tata Institute of Social Sciences says that Mumbai is undoubtedly disintegrating into slums.
"Thanks to migration, the city's population is rising rapidly. Already 67 per cent of the city works in the informal sector. If the World Bank estimate of the city reaching a population of 2.25 crore by 2025 is true, slums will be everywhere."

There's another reason why Bombay attracts migrants: It is a dream city, the subcontinent's La-La Land. Indians have mentally inhabited Bombay even if they've never set foot in it, because Bombay is home to the world's largest movie industry - Bollywood. Villagers in distant Bihar and tribe members in far Nagaland are all intimate with the skyscrapers of Nariman Point or the beach at Juhu through their projected images in traveling tent movie houses, creating dreams for the masses. And Bombay is a mass dream of the Indian people!

Jockin Arputham, Mumbai slum dweller, former urban guerilla and Magsaysay Award winner has a different take on things. "It's the whole serving class that has made Mumbai a world-class city, not the middle class," he says. For Jockin, its slum dwellers that do the building and cleaning of homes and offices, who look after the children, wash the clothes, drive the rickshaws and taxis, and work as coolies. They deserve the same chance as everyone else. He has a point

The need to check on the rising migrant population is a must, and the concern for the issue is also correct but the way of handling the issue was a terror plot, more than a concern. As an individual who’s witnessed these so called “Son –of-soil” dramas in Mumbai city for a decade, can say without a doubt in mind. That I would rather stay abroad with my dark features and be called an INDIAN, rather than live here and get classified as which region I come from. Nationalism needs to be fostered over Regionalism. Bombay was, is and shall remain a port of dreams sailing for each and everyone and no political parties can dictate terms to citizens, we still live in a democracy and no one is permitted to violate the Constitution which hands the freedom of choice. Yes, a systematic check needs to be kept on migrant population as well, so that everyone gets a chance to enter the city of dream and move on to help the country growth on a whole.

“Bombay is the future of urban civilization on the planet. God help us.”

PS: do leave me a comment....cheers!!!

A thing called Imagination!!

Theres always a thought in my mind that i am all ready to face this world without any first hand experience of how to confront myself when i need to or how should i act as a suck up when people don't show intrest in me and how should i convience my dad that i don't want to marry. Even then am ready, a thought says to me that am ready as ready can be. But stop! i say to myself, what am i ready for?? again i can get imaginative but thats just for me the people around me won't care a hang about my imagiantions, even though there would be an element of truth.

So i narrate this incident that happened to me, i was not an internet junkie until my university exams were done with, i enjoyed the world wide web but only for checking my mails and perhaps chat to a couple of people. But this habit got me hooked forever now that i made a discovery of my own that not many people are alike and that there is a whole different breed of people out there. So one fine chat day, the people i chatted with were so very similar to my way of thinking i felt so carried away that for an moment i told my chat friend let's get married!! i know you'll say that i don't wanna get married but they also say you should marry the person you like to talk to. Although theres more to that but i felt that am not the only loner around and that life is much that just talking about whats in the issue of Cosmo( no hard feeling for women who do read it, or even the men)

So me wants t be a sport journalist and am confident that i'll make it big, although i gotta work my way up for it. So i got an appointment to meet the head honcho of a new network, i dint feel nervous, no jitters, no stammers, no nothing i was one confident soul walking on the earth with no fears whatsoever. Then after the interview was done with which send positive vibes, on my way back i was wondering why didn't i feel nervous, why didn't i feel as if i was going to feel the butterfly effect? none of it happened. After all the guys in that board room were all experienced people of the world and still i did not get the effects of anything.

I know why i didnt get the jitters and all of that, because i was already being imaginative about the interview and meeting the people, only that iwould be meeting them in flesh and out of the box. It was the imagination that took all my fears away and it helped me in that moment. And so for all those who read this you may feel to wonder how is it possible. But if you try and use your own imagination to any occassion you will see that things will fall in place just the way you want it to. But then again this power will not always work in your favour because somethings are meant to be only looked at and touched and make it a part of onces life.

So i don't know if the news guys will call me in again, but am sure that if i have to face yet another board interview am ready as ready can be, because my imgaination is running wild!!. So then don't hesitate to use this creativity because it comes for free, know fancy gurus needed to give you a load down of how its done. Just stay alert to things around you and watch out for things that are in your hands which need your head to get imaginative and break out of the regulars. So if your boss likes drinking his tea with milk, make him a green tea or tea with lime and tell the benifits of it..thats there using your imagination that even a cuppa of tea wold help you tell your boss that he is a refreshing guy in the office, even if he's not. But it will definately put you on the promotion list. And if your wife/husband, girlfriend/boyfriend, son/daughter or ever it is that is unwilling to break out of the boring routine, use your imaginations to get them out of it.

It comes for free and to everyone so use it and make your life less complicated and spread the hope all around, coz thats how far imagination will take you. Atleast it will take you much far than you can imagine..isnt that more than enough..the rest will take its course with the journey of life itself.


PS: if the news guys are reading this, i love you guys, the network rocks and you guys are gonna change the way things are looked at...so come on use the imagination and run wild!! CALL ME!!! i can help.

Letters For you

Before you start understanding what life demands from you, you are almost a person you dont want to be and then starts the imaginative journey of why,what,where??? and the vicious cycle of lifes begins and its all just the begining of just what you are not willing to give in.But its difficult to keep aloof from what life brings to you. They say, Life is what you think it will be but along its wrath and beauty one has to live a crazy phase of the gift.
But as we try to scrutinise and draw different links and take heed from the gurus who tell us how to live life it would be one thing that may want us to differ, or perhaps a question as to how or why are the gurus able to live life without strings attached and no problems seem to knock at their doors. Its human to think like this or even more in detail for the torn soul who may not have the Simple Life rule book. But then again we always tend to ask ourselves, why has life treated us with so much of worries and why??and why??.
Also with this process of life's rolling stone, one may learn and adapt or just dropout of the system which is not any easy way to go, but when you hear inspirational talks you stop and pause....if anything that is being said makes sence, perhaps not or maybe yes!. Again its not applicable to all, so where does one find ones happy place?.Its a complicated process and one has to have the head upon the sholuder, maybe just the way to start taking the difficulties and learning to change and adapt to the ways of life.
Like i always say happiness never last forever, its just sprinkled in drops and unless we dont spread a little of what we have life will be on the same track. So live life to the fullest as if you were to die tomorrow.