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India Gazette
11-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
A dream come true to score in front of family: Local boy Omang Dodum
Yupia (Arunachal Pradesh)[India], May 11 (ANI): Thirty minutes before India versus Sri Lanka kicked off in the SAFF U19 Championship in Yupia, the stadium announcer began reading out the team line-ups. The loudest cheers were reserved for the Indian number 9, the homeboy, Omang Dodum. This was a momentous occasion in the history of Arunachal sports. A first-ever international football tournament in the state, an Indian national team in action, and above all, a local lad leading the forward line. Dodum scored India's fifth of the night and his first ever official goal for the country. Although the 17-year-old had scored for India in Europe in a friendly against German club Reutlingen in 2023, this was undoubtedly the most sensational moment of his young career. As per AIFF media release, 'It was a dream to score in my home ground in front of my family. Many of my relatives and friends came from all over Arunachal just for this game,' said Dodum, who hails from Jollang village. The main stand was a sea of blue. Most of them were Dodum's near and dear ones who had thronged the stadium hours before kick-off. 'When I learned that the SAFF U19 Championship would be held in Arunachal Pradesh, my first thought was that my family would watch me play for the national team. I'll play in front of the home crowd. I never expected this. This is everyone's dream.' Dodum's moment arrived in the 49th minute. He intercepted a pass just outside the box and squeezed the ball through the keeper's legs before swaying towards the main stand and pointing towards his family. 'The ball just came to me, and I set myself up and placed it in. I just had to get that goal. Scoring in such a superb atmosphere felt amazing. There were goosebumps. I felt like 'finally', this is the moment I had been waiting for as a number nine. I just wanted to hug my family. 'Although it came a bit late, as I was unable to score in the first half, I was still confident. Playing in front of all my loved ones, I always feel that I have to do something. I have to score. I don't think you can call this pressure. I relish this,' he said. Dodum, Arunachal, and all of India have to thank his father, Kage Dodum, for introducing his son to football. Sport runs in the blood. Dodum's father, a former football player and the Secretary of the Arunachal Athletics Association, sent him to the Kolkata Football Academy when he was 11 years old, and he hasn't looked back since. 'My father asked me if I was interested in playing football professionally, and I said yes, of course. I went to the Kolkata Football Academy. I haven't lived at home since I was 11.' 'After a couple of years, I participated in trials at the Chandigarh Football Academy and got selected. I also spent a few months at Sudeva Delhi FC. After that, I was picked by Punjab FC for their U15 team after successful trials. It's been a fantastic few years at Punjab FC, winning the RFDL, playing the Next Gen Cup and getting promoted to the first team,' he shared. Dodum scored in the final of the 2024 Reliance Foundation Development League to help Punjab FC win the title. Representing not just his club but also India in the Next Gen Cup in Birmingham, England, he made a mark with a goal against Aston Villa. As far as the blue of India is concerned, Dodum first joined the national camp in 2023 for the tour of Germany and Spain before the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Thailand, where he made two appearances against Vietnam and Uzbekistan. Graduating into the U19 squad now, he awaits his first silverware for the country. What better place for that than the Land of the Dawn-lit Mountains? 'I would like to thank the entire Arunachal for the support. It was amazing to see so much crowd. Not just for me, but for my teammates as well. They feel so much at home here. I'm happier about that. Keep supporting us like this throughout the tournament. All of you are happy, so we're also happy. We'll try to score every chance we get,' Dodum concluded. (ANI)
Hans India
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
SAFF U-19 C'ship: It was my dream to score in front of my family on my home ground, says local hero Omang Dodum
Homeboy Omang Dodum was the center of a momentous occasion in the history of Arunachal sports. A first-ever international football tournament in the state, an Indian national team in action, and above all, a local lad leading the forward line. Dodum scored India's fifth of the night and his first ever official goal for the country. Although the 17-year-old had scored for India in Europe in a friendly against German club Reutlingen in 2023, this was undoubtedly the most sensational moment of his young career. "It was a dream to score in my home ground in front of my family. Many of my relatives and friends came from all over Arunachal just for this game," Dodum told AIFF Media team. Dodum's near and dear ones had thronged the stadium hours before kick-off and came in huge numbers to see their local lad represent the nation. "When I learned that the SAFF U19 Championship would be held in Arunachal Pradesh, my first thought was that my family would watch me play for the national team. I'll play in front of the home crowd. I never expected this. This is everyone's dream," said Dodum, who hails from Jollang village. Dodum's moment arrived in the 49th minute. He intercepted a pass just outside the box and squeezed the ball through the keeper's legs before swaying towards the main stand and pointing towards his family. "The ball just came to me, and I set myself up and placed it in. I just had to get that goal. Scoring in such a superb atmosphere felt amazing. There were goosebumps. I felt like 'finally', this is the moment I had been waiting for as a number nine. I just wanted to hug my family. "Although it came a bit late, as I was unable to score in the first half, I was still confident. Playing in front of all my loved ones, I always feel that I have to do something. I have to score. I don't think you can call this pressure. I relish this," he said. Dodum's father, a former football player and the Secretary of the Arunachal Athletics Association, sent him to the Kolkata Football Academy when he was 11 years old, and he hasn't looked back since. "My father asked me if I was interested in playing football professionally, and I said yes, of course. I went to the Kolkata Football Academy. I haven't lived at home since I was 11. "After a couple of years, I participated in trials at the Chandigarh Football Academy and got selected. I also spent a few months at Sudeva Delhi FC. After that, I was picked by Punjab FC for their U15 team after successful trials. It's been a fantastic few years at Punjab FC, winning the RFDL, playing the Next Gen Cup and getting promoted to the first team," he shared. Dodum scored in the final of the 2024 Reliance Foundation Development League to help Punjab FC win the title. Representing not just his club but also India in the Next Gen Cup in Birmingham in England, he made a mark with a goal against Aston Villa. As far as the blue of India is concerned, Dodum first joined the national camp in 2023 for the tour of Germany and Spain before the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Thailand, where he made two appearances against Vietnam and Uzbekistan. Graduating into the U19 squad now, he awaits his first silverware for the country and what better place for that than the Land of the Dawn-lit Mountains. "I would like to say thank you to the entire Arunachal for the support. It was amazing to see so much crowd. Not just for me, but for my teammates as well. They feel so much at home here. I'm happier about that. Keep supporting us like this throughout the tournament. All of you are happy, so we're also happy. We'll try to score every chance we get," Dodum concluded.
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Premier League bosses forced to postpone tournament one week before first match
Premier League bosses have been forced to postpone a major youth tournament in Mumbai. The Next Gen Cup has been scrapped because of rising military tensions between India and Pakistan with growing security and safety fears. Prem officials have followed the example of other sports with the Pakistan Cricket Board already announcing they are moving the remaining eight matches of the Pakistan Super League to the United Arab Emirates. Several top flight teams were due to take part in the youth football tournament to be held in Mumbai next weekend. They have held extensive talks and discussions about the event after closely monitoring the situation and have taken the decision with the safety of the players at the forefront of their minds. It was due to be the sixth edition of the under-19s tournament with teams from the Premier League, Indian Super League and South Africa taking part. The Next Gen Cup has been in conjunction with the Indian Super League and Reliance Foundation charity with different English teams invited each year. This year would have been held just weeks after the Premier League announced it was opening an office in India. The Premier League announced: 'Based in Mumbai, the new office will build on the Premier League's long standing work to engage local fans and partners and promote football in India, while supporting the continued growth of the League and its clubs.' But the Next Gen has now been put on hold for this year amid the escalating tensions. Meanwhile, the Premier League is running a mental health campaign entitled Inside Matters around this weekend's fixtures. It will be a visible campaign with logos, videos and messaging to encourage fans to make a call or to check in on friends and family. It includes West Ham boss Graham Potter, who speaks with his brother, and Brentford's Thomas Frank, who checks in with his mother-in-law. Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: ' Football has a unique ability to bring people together and spark conversations. We want to harness this power to encourage fans to check in on those they care about.' Newcastle United defender Dan Burn is another player supporting 'Inside Matters'. He recently met Toon legend Alan Shearer to discuss the importance of talking about mental wellbeing in a BBC showthat will air this weekend. Burn said: 'Mental health does not discriminate, it affects everybody. You might think you're the only person going through difficulties, but when you speak about it and open up to people you realise that everyone has something going on. 'When I have struggled, I was very lucky that I had a good network around me to help me through difficult times. I would always encourage people to take the time to check in on others.' Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read ourPrivacy Notice.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Premier League opens Mumbai office, reinforces long-term commitment to Indian football
Premier League office in Mumbai (Pic credit: EPL India) In a major step to deepen its engagement with Indian fans and support the growth of football across the country, the English Premier League announced the opening of its new office in Mumbai on Wednesday. This marks the latest expansion of the League's global footprint and its enduring association with India's burgeoning football community. The Mumbai office aims to bolster the Premier League's efforts to grow the sport at both grassroots and elite levels, while also enhancing connections with fans and stakeholders in the region. The office will serve as a hub for collaboration with local authorities, the Indian Super League (ISL), and governing bodies, helping to further integrate the Premier League's programs and initiatives within India's footballing ecosystem. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters underscored the importance of this move. 'We and our clubs have a fantastic and knowledgeable fanbase in India, and we know football continues to grow in popularity. We are proud of our longstanding commitment to India, having worked to deliver community football programmes for 18 years and, more recently, our partnership with the Indian Super League,' he said. 'Opening this office marks a significant milestone for the Premier League. It will allow us to operate more effectively locally as we build on our existing work to establish more ways to strengthen our relationship with fans, JioStar and other partners.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Who's that IPL player? The Premier League's connection with India began in 2007 through the Premier Skills initiative, in partnership with the British Council. Over the past 18 years, the program has trained more than 7,300 coaches and referees across 18 Indian states, positively impacting over 124,000 young people. At the elite level, the League's alliance with the ISL since 2014 has resulted in meaningful collaboration in areas such as youth development, coaching standards, and referee training. Additionally, the Next Gen Cup — an elite youth tournament co-hosted with the ISL and Reliance Foundation — continues to foster top-level talent. The sixth edition of the event is set to take place in Mumbai in May 2025, featuring U19 teams from both Premier League clubs and ISL academies. This marks the fourth international office for the Premier League, after successful launches in Singapore (2019), New York (2023), and Beijing (2024), as the League continues to globalise its fan engagement and development initiatives.
Hans India
29-04-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Premier League Opens New Office in Mumbai to Boost Football Engagement
The Premier League on Tuesday inaugurated its first Indian office in Mumbai to extend its outreach among local supporters and football authorities and to bolster both community-level and elite-level programmes. The new base will reinforce partnerships, deepen fan engagement and drive the League's growth strategy in one of its fastest-growing markets. The Mumbai office will serve as a hub for the Premier League's long-running Premier Skills programme, launched in collaboration with the British Council in 2007. Over 18 years, the initiative has operated in more than 18 states, training upwards of 7,300 coaches, referees and educators and reaching some 124,000 young participants. By housing local staff and resources, the League aims to accelerate coach education and broaden access to grassroots football across India. Beyond community outreach, the League will strengthen ties with the Indian Super League (ISL) under a renewed cooperation agreement. First signed in 2014, the partnership has facilitated exchanges on governance, youth academies, coach training and referee development. The updated pact, sealed at the Next Gen Mumbai Cup event, will maintain knowledge-sharing and operational support between the two competitions. 'The Mumbai office will enable closer collaboration with fans, JioStar and other stakeholders,' Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said, noting that a local presence allows faster decision-making and more tailored programming. He added that the League and its clubs welcome India's large and engaged audience and see further opportunity to nurture talent and partnerships. In 2019, the league joined forces with the ISL and the Reliance Foundation to launch the Next Gen Cup, an under-19 international tournament designed to test Indian youth teams against academies from Premier League clubs. The sixth edition is scheduled for May 2025 in Mumbai, where ISL youth sides will face English counterparts in a showcase aimed at raising competitive standards and scouting emerging talent. The Mumbai office follows the Premier League's pattern of establishing overseas bases to protect content rights and bolster broadcast partnerships. Singapore was the first international outpost in 2019, primarily focused on anti-piracy efforts. A New York office opened in July 2023 to expand fan outreach in the United States, working with NBC Sports, and a Beijing office launched in October 2024 to support growth initiatives in China. Local stakeholders expect the new office to deepen collaboration with India's football authorities and governing bodies, creating pathways for player development and commercial opportunities. By integrating community projects with elite events and broadcast activities, the Premier League aims to build a unified strategy that serves fans, clubs and partners across India.
