Shifting Base

OIL to leave Duliajan for Guwahati:
Guwahati: Oil India Limited is all set to shift their camp from Duliajan to Guwahati and if everything goes according to plan then the team will be in the city in June.

A top official of Oil India Limited Ramesh Phukan, who was also the manager of the side during their National Second Division League campaign in Kolhapur, told The Sentinel that they are trying their best to shift the team to Guwahati as it will help them to prepare the team in the best possible way for the forthcoming season.

It may be mentioned here that a couple of years back, Oil India Limited tried to shift their camp to Guwahati. However, that time there wish was not fulfilled. But after getting a good exposure in the Second Division Soccer League the officials of the Duliajan outfit is seriously considering shifting the team to Guwahati.

Commenting on a query on their consideration to shift the team to Guwahati, Phukan said, “We need some good competition to prepare the team for a tournament like the National Second Division Soccer League and this was the main cause for shifting. We will set up our camp in Narengi.” He also added that they are trying to get a berth in the Super Division Soccer League in Guwahati.

He said that Oil India Limited might appoint a new coach for their team this season and they have short listed few names for the post. It has been learnt that the coach of Mohammedan Sporting Sabir Ali is on the top of the list.
Source: The Sentinel

Bodoland Martyrs’ Gold Cup

Sporting tips from top coach:

Kokrajhar, Dec. 21: Mohammedan Sporting Club coach Sabir Ali has asked Assam to “invest in youth” if it wants to improve the standard of football.

The piece of advice came after Ali’s team won the 8th Bodoland Martyrs’ Gold Cup in Kokrajhar on Tuesday.

“Although we have won the trophy, we need to keep improving. Teams from Assam have been playing well and can pose a challenge if they focus on youth at the grassroots. The OIL team is good; ASEB is good as well. The football grounds are great and Assam is the only state that is hosting so many tournaments,” he said.

On Mohammedan Sporting’s performance in the Gold Cup, he said: “We were 10 players in the second half of the final. That made it difficult for us but we prevailed.”

Ali praised the organisers and the people of Kokrajhar for their support.

“We enjoyed our stay here. The spectators were supportive, though I was surprised to see so few people on the ground. I am thankful to the crowd and the organising committee for their support.”

This is the second time that Mohammedan Sporting have won the Bodoland Martyrs’ Gold Cup. They won the fifth edition of the meet in 2004.

The champion team went home with Rs 50,000 and the gold cup, while the runners-up received Rs 25,000 and a trophy.

Posted On: The Telegraph