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Hindustan Times
13-08-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Bhaichung Bhutia 'feels sorry' for newly-appointed India head coach Khalid Jamil: 'They bring people who listen to them'
With Indian football finding itself in the midst of a mini-crisis as questions swirl around the Indian Super League and the men's national team goes through an extremely rough patch on the highest level, new full-time coach Khalid Jamil prepares for his first national camp in Kolkata this month. Khalid Jamil will host the first national camp for the men's football camp in Kolkata this weekend.(HT_PRINT) Jamil has become his nation's first non-foreign full-time coach in two decades, as he steps in to take over from the disastrous stint of Manolo Marquez. Joining on after his stint with Jamshedpur FC, Jamil is highly-regarded in AIFF circles — but has his task cut out for him in a tough moment. He hasn't been exempt from questions either, with many questioning why this was the direction the AIFF took. One of India's all-time greats Baichung Bhutia had his own theory, wondering if the football federation's ability to hold greater sway over a local coach might have led to this decision. 'We have got two world class coaches leaving, we have got Igor Štimac who coached the Croatian team, and then Manolo Marquez who is one of the great coaches with great history," explained Bhutia in an interview with PTI. 'If these two coaches couldn't work with the federation, then you bring people who will listen and will do what Federations says and will not come up with his own ideas and demands from the federation,' he continued. 'I think Jamil being a domestic coach fits into that as he is fairly new to the team.' Bhutia furious with AIFF: 'There is scam after scam…' Bhutia hasn't held back from throwing verbal grenades at the AIFF and its head Kalyan Chaubey, whom he has referred to as a 'circus' in the past. Bhutia also brought under question whether an atmosphere such as the AIFF would be conducive for Jamil, hinting at corruption within the system. 'Feel sorry for him as well as he is taking charge of the team when it's in a very difficult situation. For Kalyan, he is the right guys because Indian coaches do not demand much. There are coaches … they are being paid by the other people, I don't know where all the money's gone, and there are scam after scam,' said a heated Bhutia. Jamil will face the unenviable task of trying to pull Indian football back up after a disappointing couple of years, which will begin with his selection process ahead of the September internationals. During this, India have a set of group matches in the CAFA Nations Cup scheduled against Tajikistan, Iran, and Afghanistan.
India Today
13-08-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Feel sorry for Khalid Jamil: Bhaichung Bhutia launches scathing attack on Indian football body
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia launched a scathing attack on the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Speaking to news agency PTI, Bhutia blamed the AIFF for ruining Indian football and said that he felt sorry for the incoming coach Khalid was announced as the head coach of the national team after the departure of Manolo Marquez, who left within a year of taking on the job. Bhaichung alleged that the Jamshedpur FC manager was made the head coach because he was likely to make the least number of demands to the became the first Indian in 13 years to be appointed as head coach of the senior national team. Before he was appointed, the AIFF went through a period of instability, with Igor Stimac quitting under controversial circumstances, and Marquez juggling between the Indian Super League (FC Goa) and the national team. "We have got two world-class coaches leaving. We have got Igor Stimac who coached the Croatian team, and then Manolo Marquez who is one of the great coaches with great history," Bhutia told PTI Videos after the Fidel Castro Centenary Football Cup's exhibition match."If these two coaches couldn't work with the federation, then you bring people who will listen and will do what the federation says and will not come up with his own ideas and demands from the federation."I think Jamil being a domestic coach fits into that as he is fairly new to the team. (I) feel sorry for him as well, as he is taking charge of the team when it's in a very difficult situation," he Indian media widely reported that Jamil was chosen ahead of Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic. Constantine has worked with the Indian team before and has a tremendous understanding of the Asian football aim at AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, Bhutia said that under the current president's rule, the board did not even have the money to pay top coaches."There are coaches who are national team coaches, and they are being paid by other people, so I don't know where all the money's gone, and there are scam after scam."Chaubey had recently admitted that club football is "going through crisis" due to the uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League, while attributing the situation to "some self-claimed reformers with vested interests."Bhutia responded: "He (Chaubey) said exactly the right things, but who is the head of the federation, and who is controlling football right now? That person should be responsible for the same."He is saying that it's in a crisis but not saying that I am (Chaubey) the head of the federation that created those crises. He does not understand what position he is in, and the football in this country is in crisis. It is the responsibility of the federation and the president to solve those crises, and if he cannot do that, he should let somebody come in who can solve those crises," the former India captain concluded.- EndsMust Watch
The Hindu
13-08-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Bhaichung Bhutia: Feel sorry for Khalid Jamil taking charge of India team in tough times
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia feels 'sorry' for Khalid Jamil, who has taken charge of the national football team at a time when the sport is going through a difficult phase in the country and said the All India Football Federation (AIFF) preferred him because he is unlikely to make too many demands. Jamil, who replaced Spaniard Manolo Marquez, became the first Indian in 13 years to be appointed as head coach of the senior national team. He signed a two-year contract, with an option to extend for another year. AIFF confirms the appointment of Khalid Jamil as head coach of the Indian senior men's national football team on a two-year contract, with an option to extend for another year. Jamil will work exclusively with the national team on a full-time basis. Details:… — Sportstar (@sportstarweb) August 13, 2025 'We have got two world-class coaches (Igor Stimac and Manolo Marquez) leaving … If these two coaches couldn't work with the federation, then you bring people who will listen and will do what the Federation says…,' Bhutia told PTI Videos after the Fidel Castro Centenary Football Cup's exhibition match. 'I think Jamil being a domestic coach fits into that, as he is fairly new to the team. I (feel) sorry for him as well, as he is taking charge of the team when it's in a very difficult situation,' he added. Jamil was chosen ahead of Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic. Taking aim at AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, Bhutia said, 'For Kalyan, he (Jamil) is the right guy because Indian coaches do not demand much. RELATED: Khalid Jamil in charge of India men's football team till 2027, parts ways with Jamshedpur FC At the same time, he is saying that there are financial problems, and today the federation has gone into such a bad situation that we don't have money to pay the coaches as well. Chaubey had recently admitted that club football is 'going through a crisis' due to the uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League, while attributing the situation to 'some self-claimed reformers with vested interests'. Indian football in a mess Bhutia also raised concerns over the federation's handling of administrative matters. 'When the Supreme Court appointed the ad-hoc committee to run the Federation for the U-17 Women's World Cup, the Federation should have asked the SC whether we can run it, or we should have a new body. 'That delay of three years clashed with the MRA rights getting over. That timing could have been tackled much more before coming to this stage. They should have gone to the SC and asked. I have been saying this to find out whether this body can continue, which they did not do purposely,' Bhutia added. Bhutia also raised concerns over the federation's handling of administrative matters at a time when India's top-flight in men's football remains suspended. | Photo Credit: PTI India will take part in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, starting on August 29 in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. 'It's a great tournament and good for the Indian team as well, but as I said that (Indian) football is in a mess. You should have sat with the ISL, FSDL (Football Sports Development Limited) and the new coach and then taken the call,' Bhutia said. 'And when you start playing this tournament, and suddenly you are trying to play the Super Cup and ISL. Then how does that work? I think it's going to be a total mess. 'If tomorrow, ISL comes in and says we're gonna start playing, then you will not have some of the best players playing for the club,' he added.
News18
13-08-2025
- Business
- News18
Bhaichung Bhutia 'Feels Sorry' For Khalid Jamil As Indian Takes Over National Team During Tumultuous Time
Legedary Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia expressed his new Indian head coach Khalid Jamil has his task cut out for him at the helm of the Blue Tigers as the Indian took up the mantle of the Indian national football team following the departure of Manolo Marques. Jamil assumes the role of the gaffer of the Indian national side during a tumultuous time for the side on and off the field and Bhutia opined that the AIFF preferred him for the role as the 48-year-old is unlikely to make too may demands. 'We have got two world class coaches leaving, we have got Igor Štimac who coached the Croatian team, and then Manolo Marquez who is one of the great coaches with great history," Bhutia told PTI. 'If these two coaches couldn't work with the federation, then you bring people who will listen and will do what Federations says and will not come up with his own ideas and demands from the federation," he added. 'I think Jamil being a domestic coach fits into that as he is fairly new to the team. Feel sorry for him as well as he is taking charge of the team when it's in a very difficult situation," he added. 'For Kalyan, he is the right guys because Indian coaches do not demand much. At the same time he is saying that there are financial problems and today the federation has gone into such a bad situation that we don't have money to pay to the coaches as well." 'There are coaches who are national team coaches, and they are being paid by the other people, so, I don't know where all the money's gone and there are scam after scam," Bhutia added. Bhutia criticized AIFF chief Kalyan Chaubey, who had recently acknowledged that club football is in crisis due to the uncertainty surrounding the ISL. Chaubey attributed the situation to certain self-proclaimed reformers with vested interests. 'Chaubey said exactly the right things but who is the head of the federation, and who is controlling football right now and that person should be responsible for the same," the former striker added. 'He is saying that it's in a crisis but not saying that I am Chaubey the head of the federation that created those crises. He does not understand what position he is in and the football in this country is in crisis and it is the responsibility of the federation and the president to solve those crises and if he cannot do that he should let somebody come in who can solve those crises," the Sikkimese Sniper said. Bhutia and Chaubey have shared a history of verbal spats, with the former frequently questioning Chaubey's leadership, even calling the AIFF a circus. The AIFF president has denied the accusations, calling instead for constructive contributions. The National Sports Governance Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, a day after it cleared the Lok Sabha. Bhutia also touched upon the National Sports Bill and called for more transparency and better judgement instead of power being concentrated in a few hands. 'I welcome the Sports Bill. I only hope that the BCCI was included in that. But, overall, it's a welcome move. We have been struggling in terms of football and Olympics and I hope this bill brings transparency and right people at the job." 'Let's see how it goes first, it's important that transparency and honesty has to come in. I hope that the judgement is passed for the spirit and betterment of sports. I hope whatever the committee said has transparency and fair judgement for the betterment of sports," he said. The AIFF has also decided to conduct the Super Cup before the ISL. Bhutia raised concerns over the federation's handling of administrative matters as he said, 'When the Supreme Court appointed the ad hoc committee to run the federation for the U-17 Women's World Cup, the federation should have asked the SC whether we can run it or we should have a new body." 'That delay of 3 years clashed with the MRA rights getting over. That timing could have been tackled much more before coming to this stage. They should have gone to the SC and asked. I have been saying this to find out whether this body can continue which they did not do purposely," he added. Jamil's first assignment as the head coach of the Blue Tigers will be India's bid at the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, slated to begin on the 29th of August in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. 'It's a great tournament and good for the Indian team as well but as I said that the football is in a mess. You should have sat with the ISL, FSDL and the new coach and then taken the call," Bhutia said. 'And when you start playing this tournament and suddenly you are trying to play the Super Cup and ISL. Then how does that work? I think it's going to be a total mess," he continued. 'If tomorrow ISL comes in and says we're gonna start playing then you will not have some of the best players playing for the club," Bhutia concluded. (With Inputs From PTI)
United News of India
09-08-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
BJP leader warns against any move to dilute Article 371F in Sikkim
Gangtok, Aug 9 Former Minister and Chief Advisor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sikkim unit, Tseten Tashi Bhutia, has issued a strong statement warning that Sikkim without Article 371F would be 'a big zero.' He stressed that the special constitutional provision is not a privilege, but the very foundation of Sikkim's merger with India in 1975. Article 371F, included in the Indian Constitution at the time of Sikkim's statehood, protects the ownership rights of Sikkimese people through the Revenue Order of 1917, safeguards the Sikkim Subject Certificates and their descendants, ensures reserved seats in the Legislative Assembly, and preserves pre-merger laws and customs. Bhutia expressed deep concern that in recent years there have been attempts to weaken these protections through legislation, administrative decisions, or court rulings. He said that instead of celebrating Sikkim's 50 years of statehood in 2025 with pride, many people now live with fear and insecurity. He pointed to demographic changes since 1975, claiming that migration from neighbouring countries has shifted political priorities and led to non-locals controlling much of Sikkim's economy. He also warned that permanent settlement of outsiders in sensitive border areas could threaten national security. According to him, some local politicians have encouraged this trend for vote-bank politics, offering freebies and ignoring long-term risks. Bhutia criticised both the state and central governments for failing to act decisively. He noted that Sikkim has only one representative each in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, giving the state limited influence in Delhi. He accused certain IAS and IPS officers of working for personal gain rather than public welfare, in collusion with political leaders. Calling for urgent action, Bhutia appealed to the judiciary, lawmakers, and constitutional authorities to uphold the original spirit of the 1975 Merger Agreement. He said court judgments in the past have sometimes gone against the interests of the Sikkimese people due to misleading information from state authorities. If this continues, he warned, it could erode public trust, harm ethnic harmony, and compromise national security given Sikkim's borders with China, Bhutan, and Nepal. Bhutia urged all Sikkimese citizens to stay united and vigilant in defending Article 371F. He also reminded policymakers that weakening it would not just harm Sikkim's identity, but also threaten India's federal structure and national interest. 'Any weakening of Article 371F is not just an attack on Sikkim's identity, it is a threat to India's federal integrity and national interest,' Bhutia said. UNI SUJ AAB
