BDFA’s new season kicks off today
November 9, 2017
Reference: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/bdfas-new-season-kicks-off-today/article20007152.ece
The 2017-18 season of the BDFA Super Division and ‘A’ Division football leagues commences at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Friday. The Super Division league features a new entrant in FC Deccan.
A total of 11 sides will compete in the Super Division, with MEG & Centre entering as the defending champion.
“We have a young team, with an average age of 22,” said Archana Agrahara Ramaiah, President of FC Deccan. “We have given our players all facilities; we’re not compromising on anything. We have engaged a special instructor for fitness training; we’re paying a lot of attention to nutrition as well. We conducted trials last month to select our team. The goal is obviously to finish on top of the table.”
Meanwhile, Motor World FC, a second applicant for the Super Division, was denied entry owing to certain irregularities.
The lower ‘A’ division is contested by nine sides. SAI, a fixture in the State league for several years now, has pulled out.
The SAI management has decided to focus purely on developing young talent.
Former India international and SAI coach Aslam Khan explained, “We have decided to build at the grassroot-level. We will recruit young talent only up to the age of 14. If the foundation of our structure is sound, only then can we bear the load. Competing in the senior ranks is not a sustainable exercise.”
Aslam stated that SAI Bengaluru has around 25 youngsters in its ranks, who will continue to train at its football academy. “Usual benefits like free boarding, education and food will continue. Many of our boys play for Karnataka junior teams. We want to further increase this number,” he said.
On the opening day of the new season, Bengaluru FC takes on CIL (Super Division).
Parikrma FC faces Bangalore Eagles in the ‘A’ Division.
