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Online accommodation hosting platform <keyword id="19900375" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airbnb" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Airbnb" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Airbnb">Airbnb</keyword> on Friday said it has witnessed a 30% rise in bookings from Indian guests for the <keyword id="22385954" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Olympic-Games-Paris-2024" source="keywords">Olympic Games Paris 2024</keyword>. Beyond <keyword id="19916613" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Paris" source="keywords">Paris</keyword>, Indian travellers are also exploring other locations in <keyword id="19899242" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="France" source="keywords">France</keyword> such as Nice, Aubervilliers, Colombes, and Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, Airbnb said in a statement, citing data for bookings made by Indian guests between January 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, for stays in and around the host cities during the period of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. These areas, including key Olympic venues like Colombes (field hockey) and Chateauroux (shooting events), along with cities hosting <keyword id="64" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="football" source="Orion">football</keyword> matches like Saint-Etienne, Lyon, Nantes, Nice, and <keyword id="65651" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bordeaux" source="Orion">Bordeaux</keyword>, are experiencing significant interest, it added. Airbnb said travellers from over 160 countries and regions have already booked their stays on its platform during the sporting event. The <keyword id="4833237" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Paris-Olympics" source="Orion">Paris Olympics</keyword> will be held from July 26 to August 11, 2024. As of March 31, 2024, nights booked during the dates of the Olympics are over five times higher than they were in the Paris region the same time a year ago, it added. Paris remains the top-searched city on the platform, with a nearly 40% increase in active listings in the region, ensuring ample availability for guests. In terms of growth in bookings, Asian countries are on the leaderboard, Airbnb said, adding that it has witnessed the highest increase in travellers coming from India, Mainland China, <keyword id="24349" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hong-Kong" source="Orion">Hong Kong</keyword> (SAR) and Japan. India alone witnessed an approximately 30% increase in booking of stays in and around Paris during the games, Airbnb said. "The surge in bookings for Paris reflects an exciting trend among Indian travellers, who are increasingly planning trips around iconic sporting events like the Olympics, showcasing their growing appetite for unique, global experiences," Airbnb General Manager for India, <keyword id="19952305" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="southeast-asia" source="keywords">Southeast Asia</keyword>, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, Amanpreet Bajaj said. He further said, "Interestingly, while Paris remains a top destination, these travellers are also venturing beyond traditional tourist spots to explore cities like Saint-Denis and Bordeaux to catch their favourite sports."

Airbnb says 30% rise in bookings from Indian guests for Olympic Games Paris 2024

From the time Sir Dorabji <keyword id="19904884" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tata" source="keywords">Tata</keyword> sponsored a handful of Indian athletes to the 1920 Antwerp Olympics, Tata group has been a constant in India's sporting landscape and the conglomerate's involvement only grew under <keyword id="19981455" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="ratan-tata" source="keywords">Ratan Tata</keyword>, who considered sport a "way of life". The chairman emeritus of Tata Sons died here at the age of 86 on Wednesday after being admitted to a hospital on Monday for "age and related medical conditions". His death triggered an avalanche of tributes from eminent personalities from all walks of life and sports was no different. From being the title sponsor of the glitzy Indian Premier League of cricket to supporting lesser-followed sports like archery to owning a football team in the Indian Super League to sponsoring a high-profile chess tournament, the Tata group has been deeply involved with the country's sporting ecosystem. Most of this involvement grew during Ratan Tata's tenure. "He always believed in 'sports is the way of life' and we are happy to carry forward the legacy. We have been the torchbearer of sports with 19 sporting verticals from football, hockey, archery to horse riding, boxing, karate, racket sports. You name it, we have it," an official involved with the JRD Tata Sports Academy, which was inaugurated in 1991 in Jamshedpur, told PTI. The growth in Tata Group's sporting involvement under Ratan Tata was the continuation of a legacy. After all, Sir Dorabji Tata, who played cricket, tennis and football, was the first President of the Indian Olympic Association (1924). This was after he had financed the Olympic appearance of four track-and-field athletes and two wrestlers at the Antwerp Games, helping organise their trials in Pune as well. Tata Steel Chess, which is also called the 'Wimbledon of chess', is a marquee event on global chess calendar, held at <keyword id="20385206" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wijk-aan-zee" source="keywords">Wijk Aan Zee</keyword>, the Netherlands. It wasn't always known that. It was Corus Chess Tournament for the longest time before Tata Steel took over the title sponsor company, thereby claiming the rights of this event from 2007 onwards. Five-time world champion and Indian chess legend <keyword id="20221790" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="viswanathan-anand" source="keywords">Viswanathan Anand</keyword> was among the first sports icons to pay tributes to the late industrialist, saying that he "touched all our lives". "It is with profound sadness that we bid farewell to a giant of industry and philanthropy. We received our Padma Vibhushan together, and I was truly touched by his humility and genteel nature," Anand wrote on X. "The chess fraternity owes much to the traditions that are so closely associated with the Tata Group. @tatasteelchess in Holland is an event that made us chess players particularly proud, especially when the Tatas took over Corus, and later starting a new tradition with @tschessindia," he added. "The chess world and I offer our deepest condolences to @RNTata2000, a human being who touched all our lives and always stood for the good of society. Rest in peace," Anand continued. Tata Foootball Academy started back in 1987 under <keyword id="23494114" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="russi-mody" source="keywords">Russi Mody</keyword>, the then chairman of Tata Steel, who had the backing of Ratan Tata for the project. The academy has been supplying national level footballers since early '90s with its some of its noted alumni being current All India Football Federation head and former goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey, Rennedy Singh, Dipendu Biswas and Kiran Khongsai. "TFA has played a pioneering role in Indian football by focusing on nurturing young talent and contributing significantly to the development of football in the country," the official associated with JRD sports complex said. "He (Ratan Tata) was there at the launch of Jamshedpur FC in the ISL in 2017. he interacted with the players and coaches, took photos with them. They also presented him with a signed jersey. He was very happy to see the team coming up and playing in the top tier ISL," he recalled. The enigmatic businessman was there to launch the hockey academy in Jamshedpur in 2019. "...perhaps for the last time he was here," the official said. Hockey India said Ratan Tata will be remembered as a "shining gem". "Your vision and endless contribution to our nation will never be forgotten. Your legacy will forever live with us till eternity. Hockey India pays tribute to one of Modern India's Pioneers - Ratan Naval Tata," it added. The legendary <keyword id="19919207" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sachin-tendulkar" source="keywords">Sachin Tendulkar</keyword> said Ratan Tata's legacy will continue through his foundations. "In his life, and demise, Mr Ratan Tata has moved the nation. I was fortunate to spend time with him, but millions, who have never met him, feel the same grief that I feel today. Such is his impact," <keyword id="20012835" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tendulkar" source="keywords">Tendulkar</keyword> wrote. The Tata Archery Academy in Jamshedpur has been the training ground for ace Indian archers Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das for several years. Given Tata Group's involvement in India's Olympic movement, it was hardly a surprise to see an outpouring of tributes from some of country's top athletes. "I'm very sorry to hear about the passing of Shri Ratan Tata ji. He was a visionary, and I'll never forget the conversation I had with him. He inspired this entire nation. I pray that his loved ones find strength. Om Shanti," posted India's track-and-field Olympic gold-winner, Neeraj Chopra. India's first-ever Olympics medal winner in badminton, <keyword id="20204318" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="saina-nehwal" source="keywords">Saina Nehwal</keyword> described him as a great man. "Ratan Tata sir aapki legacy hamesha humare saath rahegi. RIP (sic). (A great man and true visionary. Tata sir your legacy will always remain with us," she said. One of India's greatest spin bowlers and former captain Anil Kumble said, "Mr. Ratan Tata's contribution extends far beyond business. His legacy of giving back to society will continue to inspire future generations. Rest in peace." "An institution who embodied Excellence, Vision and Humility. A Philanthropist par excellence. A massive loss to society. Condolences to the entire Tata family. God bless his soul #RatanTata," wrote former India player and coach <keyword id="19958622" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ravi-shastri" source="keywords">Ravi Shastri</keyword>.

The Tata effect on Indian sports: Ratan Tata's demise mourned by India stalwarts

From walking on Glacier 3000, the highest peak of the Alps to cycling through breathtakingly beautiful <keyword id="22617418" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rougemont" source="keywords">Rougemont</keyword>, Swiss 'life coach' <keyword id="22508953" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mike-Horn" source="keywords">Mike Horn</keyword> forced the Indian men's hockey team to move out of their comfort zones with an aim to create bonhomie and overcome fears of failure. Horn, an adventurer, and explorer has worked with the 2011 World Cup-winning <keyword id="19994380" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-cricket-team" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian cricket team" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian cricket team">Indian cricket team</keyword>, the 2014 IPL-winning KKR side, and the 2014 World Cup football champions German outfit in his illustrious career. So when <keyword id="20349470" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="harmanpreet-singh" source="keywords">Harmanpreet Singh</keyword> and company touched base at his base in <keyword id="19916576" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Switzerland" source="keywords">Switzerland</keyword> for a three-day boot-camp, one expected him top push the envelope in his bid to bring in the requisite mental toughness ahead of <keyword id="20006192" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Paris-Olympics" source="keywords">Paris Olympics</keyword>. As India prepare for their quarter-final match, it seems that Horn's boot-camp has had its desired effect. "Initially, there were some worried glances, but as we progressed, their confidence and camaraderie blossomed. The experience was as much a learning journey for me as it was for them," 58-year-old Horn told PTI while recollecting the reaction of the hockey players when they were asked to walk on the glacier. "They embraced the challenges and supported each other, building a strong bond that would be crucial for their upcoming competitions," he said. The elements of the boot-camp was specially customised to challenge the players both physically and mentally. The multi-faceted adventures included spending the first night in Saanen, a picturesque village in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. The second day involved a combination of cycling to Rougemont, a cable car ride, and tackling a via ferrata-a protected climbing route. This mix of activities was aimed at testing the team's endurance and teamwork. The day concluded with a cycle to Rossiniere, where the team enjoyed traditional raclette, a traditional Swiss dish on cheese base while spending the night in a rustic farm setting, sleeping in hay at his friend's farm. On the final day, the group remained in the area and engaged in rappelling down waterfalls, a thrilling activity that capped off the boot-camp. These activities were not only physical challenges but also served as exercises in "mental resilience, teamwork, and trust." "Throughout the boot-camp, the team showed remarkable growth. Their determination and adaptability were inspiring, and it was gratifying to see how the camp helped them develop, both individually and as a cohesive unit. This mutual exchange of learning and growth is what makes these boot-camps so special." The most successful team in India' Olympic hockey history, the current men's team have 12 medals, including eight gold but they had to wait for 41 years for their last medal, a bronze which came at Tokyo three years ago. "Given the high expectations for the team, especially as bronze medal winners at the Tokyo Games, my advice to them was to focus on their strengths and stay mentally resilient," Horn said. "Overall, my advice centered on mental toughness, team cohesion, and embracing the moment, which are crucial for navigating the challenges of a high-stakes tournament like the Olympics," he added. He recalled his experiences of working with Gautam Gambhir-led KKR. "During the Kolkata Knight Riders' title win, these principles were crucial. Conquering big moments required mental strength and composure under pressure. We broke down challenges into manageable parts, maintained a positive environment, and reinforced the belief that each player's role was vital." Citing examples from his own life, Horn told players that for them, failure means losing a medal but for him, failure could lead to potential loss of life. "Drawing from my life as an explorer, I often tell the players that failure for me means not just losing a game, but potentially losing my life. This perspective instills a heightened sense of urgency and focus. "Sometimes, adopting a mindset where failure is not an option can be a powerful motivator, driving the team to give their absolute best as if everything depends on it. This intensity and commitment are often what it takes to achieve victory," he signed off.

Walking on Ice, sleeping on grass: How Horn prepped Indian hockey team

Emotional tributes poured in from all quarters in memory of legendary <keyword id="96776" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="pele" source="Orion">Pele</keyword> with Indian football icon Bhaichun Bhutia remembering the 'black pearl' as the "true king" of the game while for legendary cricketer Sachin <keyword id="6391" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tendulkar" source="Orion">Tendulkar</keyword> there won't be another like him. One of the greatest of all time and the only footballer to have won three World Cups, Pele died at the age of 82 after a prolonged battle with colon cancer. Bhutia had the opportunity to interview Pele during his last visit to India in 2018. "I had an opportunity to interview him for a summit talk in Delhi. He was such a wonderful, down-to-earth person, spoke to me close to 40 minutes," Bhutia recalled in an interaction with PTI. "The conversation was more on football, his life and a bit on Indian football. He had a great sense of humour. I asked him about his India trip, but he could not remember where and which city he played and what the outcome was. Because of the age, alright." "He was a true king and God for us. He was such a humble, soft person. Definitely, it's a big, big loss for football and the fraternity. "He is one of the greatest players cum administrators we had. He was such a great role model on and off the field. He inspired millions and millions." That was his last visit to India, which happened three years after he was felicitated in Kolkata and then attended the Subroto Cup Inter-School final in the capital. "First time he was fit, but on the second time he came in a wheelchair," Bhutia added. Tendulkar also remembered the legacy of Pele. "A great loss to not just football but to the whole world of sports. There will never be another! Your legacy will live on forever. Rest in Peace Pele!," Tendulkar wrote on his Twitter handle. The football-mad city of Kolkata watched Pele in action in 1977 when he played against Mohun Bagan in an exhibition match which happened to be his penultimate outing. Football fever had reached a crescendo as Pele was given a hero's welcome at the airport and about 90,000 crowd-packed Eden Gardens to watch his magical flair. Former India forward <keyword id="786963" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="shyam-thapa" source="Orion">Shyam Thapa</keyword>, who scored the opening goal in that match, was left devastated at the news. "I'm completely devastated. I am so lucky to have played with him, I cannot forget that evening at Eden Gardens. He had a charisma about him," Thapa said. Before that eventful match on September 24, 1977, Thapa an East Bengal loyalist grabbed the headlines to become the highest-paid footballer after he was signed by arch-rivals Mohun Bagan for a record fee. And his only reason for joining Mohun Bagan was Pele. "Pele was the only reason why I left my favourite club East Bengal teary-eyed," Thapa said. "Dhiren-da (Mohun Bagan general secretary Dhiren Dey) gave me a record offer then -- Rs 50,000 -- to join Mohun Bagan, saying that he's bringing Pele's New York Cosmos to play an exhibition match here. "I repaid the faith by scoring the first goal. And, at the felicitation ceremony in the evening, while my name was called Pele refused to shake hands with me. 'You're my enemy, you scored the goal against us,' Pele told me in a lighter vein. He distinctly remembered my jersey number 22." Later, he pulled me and hugged me and said you 'played well, keep it up'." His former teammate Pradip Chowdhury also recalled that match and said: "It was raining for three days and it left Eden Gardens slushy." "But with 90,000 fans packed the stadium to the hilt, the match began. Football passion had reached a never before high." The Mohun Bagan players were left nervous and the legendary PK Banerjee, who was the coach of the team, gave them a mantra, he recalled. "We all were very nervous, PK da told us: 'don't panic, play for pride, you are here representing the country. This match will remain etched in history and everyone will keep talking about this match. "His first sight left all of us awe-struck. Everyone has to go one day. I will pray for his eternal peace," Chowdhury said. "A lot has been said about the match, but I would say the reception he got at the airport was unprecedented. No head of state or any dignitary was bestowed with such a reception. Passion had reached a zenith," Gautam Sarkar, former India footballer said. Another former national player Dipendu Biswas said: "He is the biggest star in sports, a true Mahasamrat (king) of football. There is no footballer who is not influenced by him. Recently we saw giant posters of him, wishing him 'get well soon' in the galleries of the Qatar World Cup. It's the end of an era." India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu said: "He's an icon - not just of our sport, but of our world - has gone. Rest easy, King Pele, and thank you for all that you've done for our game." India defender Sandesh Jhingan also mourned the loss and tweeted: "A legend has left, an era has ended. But his legacy will forever remain. I will always be grateful for having the chance to be connected in a very small way with the Pele Foundation. May his soul rest well." Tributes also poured in from cricket World Cup-winning star India all-rounder <keyword id="351" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="yuvraj-singh" source="Orion">Yuvraj Singh</keyword>, former coach Ravi Shastri among others. "Thank you for everything #Legend. You will be missed forever. A three-time world-cup-winning footballer and a timeless beauty on the field. You were the reason millions started playing the game. Rest in peace the #GOAT #Pele," <keyword id="1225" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="yuvraj" source="Orion">Yuvraj</keyword> tweeted. "Irreplaceable loss to the sporting world. The heartbeat of football. A magician who mesmerised and inspired generations," Shastri wrote. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/when-pele-was-left-mesmerised-in-football-capital-of-india/articleshow/96611265.cms">When Pele was left mesmerised in 'football capital' of India</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/news/cricketer-rishabh-pant-hospitalised-with-serious-injuries-after-car-accident-near-haridwar/articleshow/96612664.cms">Cricketer Rishabh Pant hospitalised with serious injuries after car accident near Haridwar</a>

Pele was true King, God for us says Indian football icon Bhaichung Bhutia

Simply Put: Why has FIFA banned All India Football Federation

<ul><li><keyword id="6377547" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="adidas" source="Orion">adidas</keyword> has roped in <keyword id="1407499" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sandesh-jhingan" source="Orion">Sandesh Jhingan</keyword>, Indian Men’s Football Vice captain who will work closely with the brand in engaging and inspiring the youth to take the game to the next level.</li><li>In India, Sandesh joins the likes of <keyword id="13937" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rohit-sharma" source="Orion">Rohit Sharma</keyword>, Mirabai Chanu, <keyword id="4624311" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lovlina-borgohain" source="Orion">Lovlina Borgohain</keyword>, Manpreet Singh, <keyword id="1406187" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="simranjit-kaur" source="Orion">Simranjit Kaur</keyword>, Nikhat Zareen, Jeremy Lalrinnunga.</li></ul>Sportswear brand adidas has roped in Sandesh Jhingan, Indian Men’s Football Vice captain who will work closely with the brand in engaging and inspiring the youth to take the game to the next level. A recipient of AIFF’s ‘Emerging Player of the Year’ in 2014, Sandesh was named ‘Men’s Player of the Year’ in 2020-2021. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Awards in 2020 for his outstanding achievement in football. An ardent fan of Manchester United, Sandesh will now join the brand’s elite pool of athletes which includes the likes of <keyword id="704" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lionel-messi" source="Orion">Lionel Messi</keyword>, <keyword id="4722585" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mo-salah" source="Orion">Mo Salah</keyword>, <keyword id="849887" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="paul-pogba" source="Orion">Paul Pogba</keyword>, <keyword id="2819664" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="paulo-dybala" source="Orion">Paulo Dybala</keyword> to name a few. adidas also partners with some of the leading football clubs in the world including Manchester United, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Bayern Munich, which define the brand’s commitment to football. In India, Sandesh joins the likes of Rohit Sharma, Mirabai Chanu, Lovlina Borgohain, Manpreet Singh, Simranjit Kaur, Nikhat Zareen, Jeremy Lalrinnunga who wear and sport the 3-Stripes with pride at The Arena, adidas head office in Gurgaon. This signing further strengthens adidas’ year long association with football while also diversifying its rich athlete roaster. Speaking about the partnership, <keyword id="168719" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sunil-gupta" source="Orion">Sunil Gupta</keyword>, Senior Director, Brand adidas, India, said, "Sandesh is a role model for many young footballers and a perfect combination of passion and talent. With this partnership we aim to inspire the youth and work towards a common goal of building football from the grassroot level in India. We are thrilled to have Sandesh join the adidas family.” Excited about his relationship with adidas, Sandesh Jhingan said, “My journey with football has been very enriching, and I aspire to make it a far bigger sport in India than it is today. I am thrilled to be a part of the adidas family, and I feel this association will take me closer to my dream of seeing India develop greater passion for football and gain a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. I feel adidas gets my passion and love for football like no other, given its long-standing relationship with the sport.”

adidas signs an endorsement contract with  Indian footballer Sandesh Jhingan to inspire young football players

New Delhi [India], June 29 (ANI): Indian senior men's football team has climbed to the 100th spot in the latest <keyword id="17853258" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="FIFA-Men" source="Orion">FIFA Men</keyword>'s Football Rankings. The Twitter handle of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) shared this news with the fans. "India move up to in the latest FIFA Men's World Ranking Steadily we rise #IndianFootball," tweeted AIFF's official Twitter. In the latest FIFA Rankings issued on June 29, India is at number 100 with 1204.90 points. India recently won their second Intercontinental Cup title, defeating Lebanon by 2-0 in the title clash on June 18 in Bhubaneswar. India will square off against Lebanon in the semifinal of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship on July 1 in Bengaluru. India has previously won this competition eight times in the years 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015 and 2021. It is the most successful team in the history of this competition. Notably, FIFA World Cup 2022 winners Argentina are the top-ranked team with 1843.73 points followed by France and Brazil. England rose by one place to reach the fourth place while Belgium slipped down by one place to reach the fifth spot. The 2023 UEFA Nations League runners-up Croatia rose by one place to reach the sixth spot while the Netherlands slipped to seventh. Italy (eighth spot), Portugal (ninth spot) and 2023 UEFA Nations League winners Spain (10th spot) have retained their respective positions. (ANI)

India climbs to 100th spot in latest FIFA Men's Football rankings

Much before Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' moment stirred the football passion in the region, it was the Brazilian maestro <keyword id="96776" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="pele" source="Orion">Pele</keyword> who began Bengal's tryst with the 'beautiful game'. Playing against <keyword id="6355782" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="mohun-bagan" source="Orion">Mohun Bagan</keyword> on a slushy and jam-packed Eden Gardens on September 24, 1977 in the twilight of his career, the three-time World Cup winner was overwhelmed by the depth of talent a "little known" Indian club possessed. Desperately seeking a revival after the dominance of arch-rivals East Bengal, the PK Banerjee-coached Mariners not only stopped the 'King of Football' from scoring a goal, but almost won 2-1 before a controversial penalty made it a 2-2 draw against the star-studded New York Cosmos. PK had given mid-fielder Gautam Sarkar the big task of man-marking Pele and playing in the dream match of his life, he had given it all, something that was later acknowledged by the legend himself. In the evening, Mohun Bagan had organised a felicitation ceremony for Pele where he was to be handed a diamond ring but the 'Black Pearl' was more interested in meeting the players first. Goalkeeper Shibaji Banerjee was the first one in the list. When the name of the sixth player was announced, Pele, surrounded by a galaxy of people, came out of the barricade and hugged the player. "Sporting a wry smile he told me, 'So, you are that number 14 who did not allow me to move...' I was left awe-struck," Sarkar remembered that evening vividly, even after 45 years. "Chunida (Chuni Goswami) was there standing beside me on the dias and heard all this. He soon told me: 'Gautam you now give up football -- what's there to achieve after hearing this compliment'. Indeed, this was the biggest achievement of my football career." "I don't want to boast about myself, but according to a newspaper report my photo is still hanging in the New York Cosmos club. He was so overwhelmed by our play that he wanted to meet the players first. Never thought a club team from a country like India would play like this." The exhibition match could see the light of the day because of the initiative of Dhiren Dey, a revered football administrator in Kolkata Maidan, then at the helm of Mohun Bagan as the general secretary. "It seemed unreal when Dhirenda told us that Pele would play against us. We all told him to 'stop lying, it's unbelievable'. But as days passed and we got to know about it, we all had sleepless nights," Sarkar told PTI. Preparation began three weeks in advance and Mohun Bagan had to prove a point. "The prospect of playing against Pele was one of the reasons why I moved from East Bengal to Mohun Bagan. As it happened, it all changed our club's fortune," <keyword id="786963" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="shyam-thapa" source="Orion">Shyam Thapa</keyword> who famously gave Mohun Bagan the lead said. Four days later, Mohun Bagan were to play against East Bengal in the coveted IFA Shield final and as it turned out, the Mariners won 1-0, ending their arch-rivals' title- winning streak. "It was a platform for us to revive our fortunes. The result gave us much-needed confidence to face East Bengal. We found our mojo back," well-known Mohun Bagan defender <keyword id="58350" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="subrata-bhattacharya" source="Orion">Subrata Bhattacharya</keyword> remembered. They continued their revival as they went on to win the Rovers Cup and Durand Cup. "We wanted to give everything in the field. The match helped us grow as a team," said then Mohun Bagan midfielder Prasun Banerjee, now a TMC member of Parliament. The best chance for Pele to score came off a free-kick from the top of the box. The ball rose and spun in towards the left upright before being saved by a diving Shibaji Banerjee. Pele revisited the city seven years back during the festive season of Durga Puja, this time with a walking stick but his aura had left everyone mesmerised, including the city's cricket icon Sourav Ganguly, a self-proclaimed Brazil fan. "I've played three World Cups. There's a big difference between being a winner and a runner-up. To hold that World Cup and a few Golden Boots must be phenomenal," Ganguly said in awe of the great man in the felicitation ceremony at the Netaji Indoor Stadium. Pele also reunited with the Mohun Bagan batch of 1977 including the legendary PK, <keyword id="536980" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="subhash-bhowmick" source="Orion">Subhash Bhowmick</keyword> and Shibaji Banerjee who are no more. "I accepted to come here in India because I love the people here," Pele said. The King of Football also had his sense of humour intact and gave a cheeky reply when someone in the dias asked him if there could be another Pele. "Listen, I'm sorry. My father and my mother closed the machine. There will be no other Pele." His last words before signing off were: "If I can help someway, I'll be here again."

When Pele was left mesmerised in 'football capital' of India

New Delhi, Mar 11 () Indian football team captain and star striker <keyword id="99507" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sunil-Chhetri">Sunil Chhetri</keyword> on Thursday said he has tested positive for COVID-19, a development that is set to rule him out of the international friendly against Oman on March 25 in Dubai. He is also likely to miss the March 29 friendly against United Arab Emirates at the same venue. The Bengaluru FC star forward took to social media to post the update and said that he is feeling fine. "In a not-so-happy update, I've tested positive for COVID-19. In better news, I feel fine as I continue my recovery from the virus and should be back on a football pitch soon," <keyword id="268788" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chhetri">Chhetri</keyword> wrote on his Twitter handle. "No better time to keep reminding everyone to continue taking all the safety precautions always." The 36-year-old was competing in the <keyword id="1910227" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Super-League">Indian Super League</keyword> (ISL) till last month in Goa in a bio-secure bubble. His campaign got over after Bengaluru FC failed to make the semifinals. The team's last game was on February 25, which Chhetri played and also scored a goal. Bengaluru FC were placed seventh on the table at the end of the league stage. The former champions logged 22 points after winning five matches, drawing seven and losing eight games. Chhetri, the second highest goal scorer in international football among active players, scored eight times in the 20 ISL games this season. As part of the preparation for the two matches against Oman and UAE, the national team is scheduled to assemble for a preparatory camp in Dubai from March 15. India last played an international match in November 2019, in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Afghanistan (in Tajikistan) and Oman (in Muscat). Already out of contention for the second round of World Cup qualifiers, India are scheduled to play two home matches against Asian Champions Qatar and Afghanistan, and an away game against Bangladesh. AH PM PM

Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri tests positive for COVID 19

It was in the early <a href="https://www.the-aiff.com/article/indian-football-down-the-years-looking-back-at-the-glorious-moments">1950s </a>that newly free India went up against Iran on the <keyword id="64" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="football" source="Orion">football</keyword> court in the inaugural Asian Games and bagged its first gold medal. Later, the country participated in the Olympics and other Asian Games, and also formed a team for women in 1980, grabbing many shiny medals along the way. <div type="image" title="India in action at the 1956 Olympics - AIFF" msid="93647037" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;India in action at the 1956 Olympics - AIFF &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> For the first time ever in football’s history, India has been suspended by the International Federation of Association Football (<keyword id="57149" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="fifa" source="Orion">FIFA</keyword>). <keyword id="57299" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="All-India-Football-Federation" source="Orion">All India Football Federation</keyword> (<keyword id="50985" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AIFF" source="Orion">AIFF</keyword>) has also been stripped of its right to host the 2022 junior Women's World Cup. The Under-17 Women’s World Cup was scheduled to be held across Odisha, Goa and Maharashtra in October this year. Many first-time participants, who have been training for years, are now feeling uncertain about their future. <div type="image" title="Under-17 Women’s World Cup team" msid="93647050" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Under-17 Women&amp;#8217;s World Cup team&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The ban could still be lifted if a few conditions are met but what led to AIFF’s suspension? Why has FIFA suspended AIFF? The governing body of world football announced the suspension citing the "undue influence from third parties, which constitutes a serious violation of the FIFA Statutes”. The suspension is effective from August 14, 2022 until further notice, according to a letter from Fatma Samoura, Secretary General, FIFA. This will affect India’s international participation. The troubles began when former AIFF president Praful Patel who was also a FIFA council member, refused to resign from his post as the head of football in the country after his tenure of three years ended in December 2020. Patel is also a member of the Nationalist Congress Party. <div type="image" title="Praful Patel&amp;#39;s tenure ended in December 2020" msid="93647079" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Praful Patel&amp;#39;s tenure ended in December 2020&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> FIFA’s rules state that its member federations must be free from legal and political interference. FIFA’s Article 19 also states that each member association shall manage its affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties. A member association’s bodies shall be either elected or appointed in that association. A member association’s statutes shall provide for a democratic procedure that guarantees the complete independence of the election or appointment. <div type="image" title="Timeline of what led to AIFF’s ban" msid="93647104" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt; Timeline of what led to AIFF&amp;#8217;s ban &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> After Patel’s resistance to resigning, AIFF did not hold fresh elections. The matter then went to the Supreme Court, which announced the immediate resignation of Patel and formed a three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) to run the AIFF and govern the sport. It appointed Justice (retired) Anil R Dave, former Chief Election Commissioner of India, Dr S.Y. Quraishi and former India captain Bhaskar Ganguly to the CoA. <div type="image" title="Supreme Court formed a three-member Committee of Administrators" msid="93647115" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Supreme Court formed a three-member Committee of Administrators&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> FIFA directed CoA to get new elections underway, finalise the constitution and present it to FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). India is not the only country India is not the first country to be suspended by FIFA. In 2021, Pakistan Football Federation was banned temporarily due to the same violations. The ban was lifted last month. Zimbabwe, Kenya, Chad, Benin, Kuwait, Nigeria and Iraq have also been at the receiving end of FIFA’s wrath. How will it affect India? Both male and female players won’t be able to participate in international tournaments till the ban is lifted, which includes the 2023 Asian Cup. In June, India’s football team captain Sunil Chhetri said a ban would be “catastrophic” for the country and him. “No matter what is happening on that front, I hope it is under control and the country does not get a ban. Because, that will be catastrophic, not just for the whole country but for me, because I’m 37. I’m playing my last games. You never know when there’s a last game for you,” said Chhetri. Indian professional football club based in Calicut, Gokulam Kerala, has already found itself stranded in Uzbekistan after the FIFA suspension. The team was scheduled to play at the AFC Women's Club Championship. On August 18, SC asked the centre to take a proactive role and ensure that India is able to host the U-17 Women’s World Cup in October. The men’s team is also scheduled to play Singapore and Vietnam in September and India’s participation in SAFF Women's Championship next month also looks uncertain. The suspension has not only dampened the morale of players who have been training for years, but it has also disappointed fans who were looking forward to watching the tournament live. The sport is watched by more than 23 million people, says a recent report by Ormax Media. Will the suspension be lifted? The suspension will be lifted once the AIFF administration regains full control of their daily affairs, which means no CoA. FIFA has also told India to form an independent electoral committee. Till then, as far as Indian footballers are concerned, it’s a wait-and-watch game. Here's a small video <div type="image" title="Why has FIFA banned All India Football Federation?" msid="93647172" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Why has FIFA banned All India Football Federation?&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>

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