Flashback - Bhatia and Saksena Both Play!

[QPR Report]

Times of India
Bhaichung Bhutia to play exhibition match
PTI 18 December 2009, 08:47pm ISTText Size:|

MUMBAI: Indian football skipper Bhaichung Bhutia will take part in an exhibition match that will kick-off the inaugural South Mumbai Junior Soccer

Bhutia, who is the guest of honour for the event, will be a part of the Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel's 5, that will face the Colaba Municipal Secondary School.

His team also includes MP Milind Deora, Amit Bhatia (Vice-Chairman Queens Park Rangers) and Ishan Saksena (CEO & MD, Queens Park Rangers) besides Patel, who is also the chief guest.

204 schools have registered for the two-day event to be held at the Cooperage Football Ground here on December 19 and 20. More than 60 Municipal Schools are also in the fray.

Ex-India player Santosh Kashyap will conduct a talent hunt programme to pick 24 players that will attend the camp to be conducted by the coaches of Queens Park Rangers towards the end of this year.

timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Bhaichung-Bhutia-to-play-exhibition-match/articleshow/5353063.cms

[QPR Report]

See previously - QPR Involved in Indian Football Project
qprreport.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=8396&page=1

[QPR Report]

Game over

Baichung Bhutia calls for hard work Maria Bilkis / DNA

Sunday, December 20, 2009 2:17
After having some barren years, Indian football got a shot in the arm when they won Nehru Cup (2007, 2009), SAFF Cup (2009) and qualified for the Asia Cup. But still someone like Sunil Chetri whose work permit was rejected by UK on the pretext of India's low ranking in the FIFA list, should not be upset as Indian skipper Baichung Bhutia came out with a remedy.

Bhutia, who had already turned out for English club Bury FC during 1999-2002, feels that raising the level of football here will eradicate these problems.

"India, in order to be recognised and respected in the international football circuit, needs the hard work and commitment of its players. Only when we play together and improve the level of our performance will we go up in the FIFA rankings. Performance will speak for itself and these issues will not be such big a hindrance then. So, it's important to focus on playing for the country," Bhutia told DNA during the inaugural South Mumbai Junior soccer challenge on Monday.

Talking about the AIFF's expansion plans, the footballer reinforced the need for structural changes and infrastructure.

Bhutia encouraged the crowd of nearly 1800 school children from the 204 participating schools. He along with MP Milind Deora, Queens Park Rangers vice-chairman Amit Bhatia and others took part in an exhibition match.

AIFF president Praful Patel, too, was present at the occasion

www.dnaindia.com/sport/report_baichung-bhutia-calls-for-hard-work_1325484

[Markqpr]

Apparently they both were really quiet. No one noticed them on the pitch leaving most to wonder exactly why they were there and what exactly they were supposed to be doing.

Amit also fired the manager at half time which didn't help either of their performances.
;D

[Lonegunmen]

Was Flavio chairman of the team and Gianni sporting director?

[QPR Report]

Would think the club would be highlighting their activities in India. (Of course does make one wonder who exactly at QPR decided we should be signing this India striker)

[Hogan]

Which India striker have we signed?

[londonranger]

About a year ago? Reports we had signed one then reports that we hadnt signed one. I think he thought he was signing for a cricket team.

[londonranger]

qprreport.blogspot.com/2009/08/qprs-supposed-indian-star-signing.html

Heres the real link.

[Lonegunmen]

Bites tongue for obvious smart remark that might not be politically correct.

[QPR Report]

Bump!