16/06/2024
Feedback for 2023-2024 FD A Division League by Shimla Youngs FC.. www.shimlayoungsfc.com
We congratulate FD, Organising Committee, Volunteers, Refree, participating teams and Managers/Coaches, for completing the first phase of the league successfully.
This is our views, and should be taken in mind to improve the league for the next season.
Registration :
The AIFF has a nice portal to register a player, and it has standardised things. There were many changes to the eligiblity of the player from the City, NCR and other states, and finally some conclusion came.
It is my opinion to allow players from all states, as they are citizens of the country, and they should be allowed. Anyway, a lot of teams which are doing well, have players who have been staying in Delhi for less than a year. If the same rule is applied to our players, in other states - I mean, the rules should be consise
Moreover, we are ranked 110 in FIFA rankings, so we should permit 2 foriegners to play in each team. From an early age, we should allow our young players to face tougher opponents. Also, if an Indian boy is studying in Europe, and is not allowed to play there, in the amateur league, it shall go against the principles of fair play and would be discriminatory. Therefore, a foreigner studying in Delhi, should be allowed to play.
I advise the following :
1. Select 7-11 y, and test thier ages by https://bonexpert.com/
2. Take them for https://gothiacup.se/
PDCA cycle of Deming. Plan - Do - Check -Act
Plan your training
Do your training
Check at Gothia, where you stand in the World
Act on the above
Repeat, till the kid reaches 17y..
Timing of the league :
For the past 4 years, the league is happening in peak summer, and normally during Ramadan and 12th Standard exams. This year, it avoided the Ramzan month and the 12th Boards, however coincided with the College Exams.
As we know from Asterix in Britain, the clever Julius Caesar knew that the Brits never do anything on Sundays and at evenings have tea, so he attacked at the same time! Similarly, FD, by conducting the league during college exams, ensured the below par performance of amateur teams like ours.
Athletic performance is best happening in Winters, and the leagues should happen then. We should play the game at less than 20Deg, and not at 40Deg !
We had 2 subsitutions due to heat stroke, and we had planned rehydration for 6-8 times in a 3 hour period for 20 players.
Grounds :
On the gate 13 grounds of Nehru Stadium, per day 4 matches were happening. Our team played 5 matches at 1430 hrs. At least 4 matches had watered pitch 10 min before kick off. The Sand and the uneven grass, resulted in slush in top of Penalty Box, and strikers would get slowed down. Also, the GK would get not get a grip on the group to jump/dive, and our GK Atul pulled his back, which is requiring at least 3 weeks rest.
Delhi is the Capital of the World Economy ranked 5th in the world. A safe football pitch is not a luxury, but a necessity for the Youth of Delhi.
Plastic Bottles:
India has 28 trees per person. Plastic is bad for trees/environment.
4 matches * 2 teams * 4 bottles * 20 players : So, we contributed 640 plastic bottles per day !
At Shimla Youngs FC, we bought 750ml bottles, 20 of them and reused them for at least 5 water/juices refills. However, we were guilty of using Gatorade bottles, which contributed to plastic.
Refreeing :
Of course, we lost most of the games, so we would be sour about the decisions. At least AIFF has a nice portal, and allows us to asses the referees after each game. We did that, except for one game. We hope the AIFF/FD takes our feedback in consideration, and see the video replays and advises the referees to improve.
So much heat, would put pressure on the referee to run more, and maybe due to lack of fitness, make incorrect decisions.
If our Managers,players were unsporting in thier behaviour, we would like to apologise for that.
Fitness Standards :
The league was very competitive , and the teams had very high level of fitness. My team was lacking in that, we shall be better prepared for next season.
Incident of GK/Striker colliding :
I read in WA ,however did not see the video, so cannot comment on who was at fault, and was the injury caused by cynical play. However, these are my observations from past observations etc.
1. I saw a player from Air India, I think his name was Ansari, in the Durand FC in 1990s. When he would go up in the air, he would do so with both legs stretched and both arms spread to scare away the strikers from heading the ball. I was new to Football, and reacted that it is obvious foul, however, was told by more experienced footballers, that - It is GK’s area and he can do what he wants etc. Well the same player hit someone badly in a I-League match and possibly Bikramjit as Ref gave him Red Card or something. That player was suspended for 1/2 years, and then AIFF reversed the decision stating his livelihood is at stake etc. He was made No2 GK in a India game against Thailand I think, and it was being shown in Star TV. In the first 15 min, the opponents made multiple attacks, and No1 GK hurt his ribs while diving..We were 0-2 down, and this Air India GK was asked to go in. Our central defenders were slow (over age , I would say), and the opponents CF broke free and was coming towards the Penalty box.. Our GK, went to meet him , outside the box, with both legs aimed at his knee.. It was Red Card..So, we were down to 10 men, and Baichung wore GK shirt and we lost 7 or 9 - 0.
2. Our No1 GK from India, an EB/Mohun Bagan player, in a tackle with a Brazilian player, killed the striker. He was suspended for 2 years, and then that suspension was reduced on grounds - that it is his livelihood etc. The Same player in a WC qualifier, in UAE I think, after holding the ball , lifted his knee towards the opponent’s striker. The resulting Red Card was protested by our players, bench, coaching staff and press.
3. At a meaningless friendly game at Vinay Marg, an Sunday assorted XI was playing against FCI NZ. The speedy striker of the Assorted XI broke free from center, and saw the GK coming out, and was ready to turn him and place the ball in the net. However, the GK, I think his name was Rajat, went for the Striker’s knees, with both legs, and outside the box. We rushed in to help the poor striker, and sadly the comment by Mr Surender Kumar got my blood boiling. I respect Surender Sir a lot, as he coached me in Ashoka FC, however, he was justifying the GK by comments like : GK has no option, but to hurt the player in such a situation !
So, my moral here, is poor sportsmanship and poor coaching will expose the teams/players at the higher levels, and also lead to unnecessary injuries.
After, a few months, we shall be ready for a friendly game at Vinay Marg Sports Complex, on Friday Afternoons..
Best wishes to the teams in the Super Six/Eight..!
Focus on age verified players and give them world class training, along with world class exposure by friendly games in India and Europe (based on funds availability). Our Selection(s) ahall be based purely on performance only.
