AIFF cracks down on over-aged players, new rule puts Bengal in a spot

Kolkata, November 13: In a heartening change in policy and outlook, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) finally seems to have woken up to the perils and problems of overlooking cases of over-aged players taking part in junior national events.

The AIFF, in a recent circular to all the state associations in the country, has informed the AIFF that it has appointed a team of observers and doctors, who would be deployed at the venues for the Under-19 junior national championship this season. And in cases of complaints from protesting teams and players, and also at the behest of the AIFF-appointed observers and doctors, the players in question would have to compulsorily undergo MRI tests.

Interestingly, the team Bengal, who were runners-up in the BC Roy Trophy last time, are in a bit of a spot as a result of the new development. Bengal coaches Ranjan Chowdhury and Prasanta Chakrabarty have been compelled to reject some promising U-19 players who participated in the Kolkata Premier League (KPL) and represented as many as 10 senior club teams this season.

Meanwhile, apart from the over-age issue, a few boys of outstanding merit have joined the preparatory camp that commenced on November 10 at Bidhannagar Municipality Sports complex. Both the coaches are expecting the inclusion of a few quality junior players like Rajib Rao (defender), Munna Mullick, Kallol Pal (midfielder) and Sevak Hembram (strikers), who are expected to lake up for the unavailability of the juniors who are now being struck off the roster.

The BC Roy Trophy, originally scheduled to be start on November 25, has now been deferred by a month and will begin on December 24 at Villai, in Chattisgarh.

Bengal are expected to kick off from the pre-quarterfinal stage, alongside Chandigarh and Tamil Nadu. Only one from these three teams will qualify for the quarter-final stage.

As of now, there are 60 players in the ongoing preparatory camp. The coaches are likely to trim the list down to 35 players. The Indian Football Association (IFA) meanwhile has assured that it will provide proper accommodation at Villai for the players, apart from making their travel arrangements.

The coaches are also planning to request the IFA to provide daily allowances and tiffin for the 35 players during their training period. Ranjan Chowdhury said: “I hope the IFA will not disagree with my request. The players will be motivated if they are given small daily allowances along with required food after training.”

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