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Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
AIFF seeks extension after project delay gets showcause notice from Bengal govt
Kolkata: The West Bengal government has asked All India Football Federation (AIFF) why the allotment of a 15-acre plot to build a national centre of excellence near Kolkata should not be cancelled. After seven years, the centre that was supposed to be fully commissioned in three years is far from completion, a state government agency has told AIFF. India's Sunil Chhetri trains at AIFF's national centre of excellence near Kolkata. (AIFF) '… Non-utilisation of government allotted land within the prescribed period constitutes a violation of the terms and conditions of allotment as mentioned in the Deed of Lease and attracts action including cancellation of allotment…,' a show cause notice on May 13 from West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (HIDCO) said. A government of West Bengal undertaking, HIDCO gave AIFF seven days to reply in its letter signed by Subhas Sinha, general manager (commercial). AIFF wrote back acknowledging the delay but has sought 'a reasonable extension' after stating that several key components were operational and that over ₹33 crore has been spent on the project. This includes ₹16.66 crore from FIFA, ₹6.56 crore from Asian Football Confederation and over ₹10 crore by AIFF, the reply dated May 21 said. The AIFF letter also pointed out that two pitches, one grass and the other artificial, have been used for training sessions by different India and Bengal teams, clubs in I-League and Indian Super League and the East Bengal team that won the Indian Women's League. AIFF attributed the delay due to the disruption caused by Covid-19 and other events before September 2022 when Kalyan Chaubey took charge as federation president. FIFA suspending India from August 16 to August 27, 2022, the Supreme Court appointing a committee of administrators (CoA) in May to run the federation and mismanagement of the previous administration have been listed as causes for delay in AIFF's reply signed by deputy secretary-general M Satyanarayan. HT has seen both letters. CoA's appointment in May 2022 to run AIFF 'disrupted normal governance and delayed project-related decision-making processes,' the federation has said. Since AIFF's previous administration under president Praful Patel was removed by the Supreme Court on 'grounds of mismanagement and failure to implement governance measures,' the current administration 'inherited the same' and had to conduct a 'comprehensive internal review' and implement corrective measures, AIFF's letter said. The only reason cited for which none of the above was responsible was heavy rain between June to September every year. That left the plot 'unfit for bearing installations that are crucial for foundation work,' according to the letter. Football's popularity in Kolkata and attendance figures in under-17 men's World Cup led to the decision by the West Bengal government to allot the land parcel to AIFF. With over 12 lakh people at matches, the edition in 2017 became the most watched under-17 World Cup. Over 56,000 watched the final and Kolkata, which hosted 10 matches, had an average attendance of 54,212. FIFA president Gianni Infantino had come for the final and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said he would be treated as a state guest. Two days after the final on October 28, the state cabinet approved the decision to allot 15 acres. HIDCO's letter to AIFF said that possession was handed over on June 21, 2018. The land parcel was given on 'leasehold basis for 99 years at a token lease premium of Re 1 and a token annual lease rent of Re 1 for setting up a National Centre of Excellence in Football with a Football Stadium and Football Academy.' As per the lease agreement, AIFF had six months to start construction and three years from the date to finish the project, according to HIDCO's letter. '… It has been found in a recent inspection that no Football stadium has been constructed and it appears that the project is far from completion even after nearly seven years of delivery of possession,' the letter from HIDCO stated. Most of the major issues have been resolved, AIFF has replied adding that it has awarded a contract to build another grass pitch specifically for youth and women's teams. AIFF's letter also mentions a 36-bed accommodation block which will help the federation plan 'year-round residential training camps.' Around $700,000 has been sanctioned for the accommodation block by AFC and work will start soon, Satyanarayan said over the phone from New Delhi on Tuesday. The block and the pitch are expected to be completed by December, 2025, said Satyanarayan who is also in charge of the centre. 'We take our obligations seriously and reiterate our full commitment to honour the conditions of the lease deed and the Allotment Letter by way of which the Allotted Plot was assigned to us,' AIFF has said. Its letter requests that no 'coercive action' is taken that may hinder AIFF's continued use of the land for football activities. Sinha acknowledged receiving AIFF's reply and said it has been sent to higher-ups in the government. 'We have not been told of any action from the government as yet,' he said on Tuesday.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Aditi Chauhan on retirement plans, time at West Ham United, and Indian women's football
Throughout her career, Aditi Chauhan's motto was to keep competing for the number one spot, which most goalkeepers vie for. On Wednesday, the 32-year-old thought it to be the perfect time to hang up her gloves and announce retirement from professional football. 'There have been multiple factors that have influenced the decision. It's been challenging to play while trying to secure my future without the right infrastructure and ecosystem around me. At some point, you ask yourself, 'How long can I be doing this?' and 'Should I be doing this?'. For an answer to that, lately [it] was, 'maybe not anymore',' she told Sportstar, a day after calling time on her 17-year career. Having earned 57 caps with the Indian national team, Aditi's final appearance with the Blue Tigresses came in a friendly against Nepal in February 2023, soon after which she was sidelined by her second ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injury. She suffered her first ACL injury in 2017 during her time spent with English side West Ham Ladies (now West Ham United women's team). In the 2024-25 Indian Women's League season—her final one—Aditi helped newly-promoted Sribhumi FC end the campaign with a creditable third-place finish while keeping three clean sheets. It was during the season that the seasoned custodian realised it was time for the young guns to take it from here. In the 2024-25 Indian Women's League season – her final one – Aditi (second from right) helped newly-promoted Sribhumi FC end the campaign with a creditable third-place finish. | Photo Credit: Aditi Chauhan@Instagram Lessons from England During her Honours days at Delhi University (DU), Aditi was part of the DU girls' football team, which was taken to New Zealand for an exposure trip. That's when she discovered the world of sports that's beyond the pitch. 'I wanted to stay involved in sports, even after I stopped playing football,' she recalled. It didn't take long for her to leave the world of commerce behind to pursue a post-graduate degree in sports management at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom. 'The whole experience of living abroad alone, trying to figure out different things, studying, then ending up at West Ham; that was all through my effort, curiosity, and passion,' Aditi added. In 2015, she became the first Indian woman to play league football in England after she joined West Ham, a third-division side then. In 2015, Aditi (extreme right) became the first Indian woman to play league football in England after she joined West Ham, a third-division side then. | Photo Credit: Aditi Chauhan@Instagram The couple of years spent in London, juggling football and a part-time job to keep visa issues at bay, gave her a unique perspective of what a professional system looked like and the kind of ecosystem a player needed around them to excel. Future of Indian women's football Aditi also acknowledged how opportunities to play abroad have become more accessible. 'The talent was always there. There's more attention being given to women's football now. They realise the talent that can play in Europe and professional clubs. It's great to see these players step out of their comfort zone and test themselves.' Some of these players, like Manisha Kalyan and Somya Guguloth, to name a few, were part of the Indian team which qualified for next year's AFC Women's Asian Cup. Aditi, who was part of the 2022 Asian Cup squad which had to withdraw from the tournament due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the team, stressed the importance of having senior players in the group. ALSO READ: Indoor warmups: Brazil players slam CONMEBOL over Women's Copa America conditions 'Young players are important, but you can't discount what seniors bring. There were six or seven players in that team which beat Thailand, who were with us during the 2022 Asian Cup. This is the result of the effort that was put in back then. Yes, we want to encourage and support the youngsters, but when the time came, it was the likes of Sangita [Basfore], Manisha, Soumya, Sanju, Panthoi [Chanu] who performed. They became the core of the team. Youngsters should be able to compete and earn their spot; it shouldn't be handed out to them.' Aditi also hoped that the plan laid out by the All India Football Federation would be executed perfectly to aid the national team and prepare for competition that is 'definitely going to be tougher' in Australia. Retirement plans Much of Aditi's time post-retirement will be dedicated to running the She Kicks Football Academy, an initiative she founded in 2018 to strengthen women's football in the country from the grassroots level. 'We want to put a system in place, have the right ecosystem, and get people together to support the player. We also want to emphasise and bring in technology and science. I think these are important things that will play a huge role in our bigger objective,' she explained. Broadcasting also remains an avenue she would like to dabble in, but coaching seems to be something that's not on her cards just yet. 'I have done my coaching licenses – AFC C Diploma and Goalkeeping Level One. I'm keeping that option open as well. But let's see if it might be too soon to get back on the field again. That might take some time,' Aditi concluded.
The Print
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Print
India's trailblazing goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan announces retirement from football
'Thank you, football — for shaping me, testing me, and carrying me through. After 17 unforgettable years, I'm retiring from professional football with deep gratitude and pride,' Aditi wrote in a social media post on Thursday. The former India women's team goalkeeper, 32, now wants to work off the pitch and build a 'stronger pathway and ecosystem' for the next generation. New Delhi, Jul 17 (PTI) Exactly a decade after becoming the first Indian woman to play professional football in Europe, the trailblazing Aditi Chauhan has decided to announce her retirement from the game after a career spanning 17 years. 'This game gave me more than just a career; it gave me an identity. From chasing a dream in Delhi to carving out my own path all the way to the UK, where I pursued my Master's in Sports Management and played for West Ham United – I walked a road with no clear map. 'I never had to choose between education and passion. I fought hard to do both, and that balance has defined me,' she added. During a successful international career, Aditi, who caught everyone's attention after being signed up by West Ham United for the Women's Super League in England, donned the India jersey 57 times and, among others, was part of the senior teams that won the SAFF Women's Championship in 2012, 2016 and 2019. 'I gave everything to the game — my focus, my fire, my body — all in pursuit of that No. 1 jersey for India. But behind the highlights were the quiet battles: the fear of the unknown, the pressure to justify that my path was valid, and the persistent question from society – 'How would you possibly make a living playing football?' 'And then, the injuries. Coming back not once, but twice from ACL injuries, I believe I set an example for other players that one could overcome anything with mental courage. The pain, the doubt, the silence – it was a battle I had to win from within.' She spent two seasons with West Ham before returning to India in early 2018, before joining Gokulam Kerala FC for the 2019-20 Indian Women's League. At the domestic level, Aditi won the Indian Women's League (IWL) title with Gokulam Kerala FC in 2019-20 and 2021-22 besides reaching the semi-finals of the AFC Women's Club Championship and securing a third-place finish. 'What I'm most proud of as a professional athlete is the consistency. Across 17 years, I kept coming back — through setbacks, through injuries, through every doubt — and earned the No. 1 spot time and again.' 'My parents stood by me, picked me up when I needed, pushed me when I slacked a bit. Everything that I am, the things I've been able to achieve have been possible because of my mom, who's quietly just ridden this crazy ride with me and I can't thank god enough for giving her as my mom.' In her final season, she played a key role for the newly-promoted Sribhumi FC, helping the Kolkata-based side to a third-place finish in the IWL. As she steps away from the pitch, Aditi said she still has 'plenty left in the tank to give to the sport' that made her the person that she is today. 'As I now step into life beyond the pitch, I carry that belief with me – not as a player anymore, but as someone committed to building a stronger pathway and ecosystem for the next generation. 'My second half is about giving back to the game that gave me everything,' Aditi wrote. 'The formula remains the same: dream big, believe in yourself, and put in the work,' she signed off. PTI AH AM AH AM AM This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Aditi Chauhan, first Indian woman to play professional football in Europe, retires at 32
Aditi Chauhan (AIFF Photo) Aditi Chauhan, the first Indian woman to play professional football in Europe, has announced her retirement after a 17-year career at age 32. The former Indian national team goalkeeper aims to focus on developing better opportunities for future generations in football. "Thank you, football -- for shaping me, testing me, and carrying me through. After 17 unforgettable years, I'm retiring from professional football with deep gratitude and pride," Aditi wrote in a social media post on Thursday. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "This game gave me more than just a career; it gave me an identity. From chasing a dream in Delhi to carving out my own path all the way to the UK, where I pursued my Master's in Sports Management and played for West Ham United – I walked a road with no clear map. "I never had to choose between education and passion. I fought hard to do both, and that balance has defined me." Aditi represented India 57 times and was part of three SAFF Women's Championship winning teams in 2012, 2016, and 2019. "I gave everything to the game — my focus, my fire, my body — all in pursuit of that No. 1 jersey for India. But behind the highlights were the quiet battles: the fear of the unknown, the pressure to justify that my path was valid, and the persistent question from society - 'How would you possibly make a living playing football?'" She further wrote. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 11 Foods That Help In Healing Knee Pain Naturally Undo "And then, the injuries. Coming back not once, but twice from ACL injuries, I believe I set an example for other players that one could overcome anything with mental courage. The pain, the doubt, the silence - it was a battle I had to win from within." Her European journey included two seasons with West Ham before she returned to India in 2018. She later joined Gokulam Kerala FC, winning two Indian Women's League titles in 2019-20 and 2021-22. "What I'm most proud of as a professional athlete is the consistency. Across 17 years, I kept coming back, through setbacks, through injuries, through every doubt, and earned the No. 1 spot time and again." "My parents stood by me, picked me up when I needed, pushed me when I slacked a bit. Everything that I am, the things I've been able to achieve have been possible because of my mom, who's quietly just ridden this crazy ride with me and I can't thank god enough for giving her as my mom." In her final season, she played for Sribhumi FC, helping the Kolkata team secure third place in the IWL. "As I now step into life beyond the pitch, I carry that belief with me – not as a player anymore, but as someone committed to building a stronger pathway and ecosystem for the next generation. "My second half is about giving back to the game that gave me everything. "The formula remains the same: dream big, believe in yourself, and put in the work." Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
NDTV
5 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
India's Trailblazing Goalkeeper Aditi Chauhan Announces Retirement From Football
Exactly a decade after becoming the first Indian woman to play professional football in Europe, the trailblazing Aditi Chauhan has decided to announce her retirement from the game after a career spanning 17 years. The former India women's team goalkeeper, 32, now wants to work off the pitch and build a "stronger pathway and ecosystem" for the next generation. "Thank you, football -- for shaping me, testing me, and carrying me through. After 17 unforgettable years, I'm retiring from professional football with deep gratitude and pride," Aditi wrote in a social media post on Thursday. "This game gave me more than just a career; it gave me an identity. From chasing a dream in Delhi to carving out my own path all the way to the UK, where I pursued my Master's in Sports Management and played for West Ham United – I walked a road with no clear map. "I never had to choose between education and passion. I fought hard to do both, and that balance has defined me," she added. During a successful international career, Aditi, who caught everyone's attention after being signed up by West Ham United for the Women's Super League in England, donned the India jersey 57 times and, among others, was part of the senior teams that won the SAFF Women's Championship in 2012, 2016 and 2019. "I gave everything to the game — my focus, my fire, my body — all in pursuit of that No. 1 jersey for India. But behind the highlights were the quiet battles: the fear of the unknown, the pressure to justify that my path was valid, and the persistent question from society - 'How would you possibly make a living playing football?' "And then, the injuries. Coming back not once, but twice from ACL injuries, I believe I set an example for other players that one could overcome anything with mental courage. The pain, the doubt, the silence - it was a battle I had to win from within." She spent two seasons with West Ham before returning to India in early 2018, before joining Gokulam Kerala FC for the 2019-20 Indian Women's League. At the domestic level, Aditi won the Indian Women's League (IWL) title with Gokulam Kerala FC in 2019-20 and 2021-22 besides reaching the semi-finals of the AFC Women's Club Championship and securing a third-place finish. "What I'm most proud of as a professional athlete is the consistency. Across 17 years, I kept coming back — through setbacks, through injuries, through every doubt — and earned the No. 1 spot time and again." "My parents stood by me, picked me up when I needed, pushed me when I slacked a bit. Everything that I am, the things I've been able to achieve have been possible because of my mom, who's quietly just ridden this crazy ride with me and I can't thank god enough for giving her as my mom." In her final season, she played a key role for the newly-promoted Sribhumi FC, helping the Kolkata-based side to a third-place finish in the IWL. As she steps away from the pitch, Aditi said she still has "plenty left in the tank to give to the sport" that made her the person that she is today. "As I now step into life beyond the pitch, I carry that belief with me – not as a player anymore, but as someone committed to building a stronger pathway and ecosystem for the next generation. "My second half is about giving back to the game that gave me everything," Aditi wrote. "The formula remains the same: dream big, believe in yourself, and put in the work," she signed off.
