Banning footballers not the solution, feels Dronacharya award winner Bimal Ghosh

 

 

Renowned football coach of the country Bimal Ghosh, who was recently conferred with the Dronacharya Award, said that majority of footballers in our country come from poor and middle class families and if they play tournaments (unauthorised), there is nothing wrong. Nagpur District Football Association (NDFA) recently did not allow clubs to register players who played unauthorised tournaments. Due to this strict stand, the JSW Elite Division League has lost its class and matches are being termed as that of school level by many.

Ghosh was speaking during the meet the press organised by Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) in association with Alumni Association of SK Porwal College at its office.

When asked for his reaction on suspension by NDFA, Ghosh said that rules are there and should be followed by all.

But in the same breath he said, “Players earn very little money in football compared to cricket or other sports. So they play leagues to earn money. Such a scenario is common in places like Kolkata, Kerala and Mumbai and their associations don’t suspend them. In my opinion, if there is an opportunity and a little bit of money, there should be no problem. Instead of taking action, the district association should take them into confidence and find a way out.”

Expressing his happiness at being honoured with the prestigious Dronacharya Award by the Government of India, he said, “It is a great honour. It is the fruit of my contribution to football so far.”

According to Ghosh, there are a lot of talented players in Nagpur and Kamptee. He believed that if they get good infrastructure, quality training and good coaches, they can play in top leagues.

On the occasion, Dr Vinay Chavan, Principal, Seth Kesarimal Porwal College, Santosh Ghoshal, CEO, Iftekhar Khan, Vice-President of Alumni Association, Dr Indrajit Basu, Secretary, Pradeep Maitra, President, Nagpur Press Club, Paritosh Pramanik, Secretary, SJAN, Dr Baldev Khanna, Prashant Bambal and others were present.

SJAN Secretary Pramanik presented Ghosh with a momento. SJAN President Dr Ram Thakur conducted the programme.