AIFF names squad for Football academy in Kolkata

Kolkata: In crisis-control mode after clubs refused to release loaned players for one more year, the AIFF named the squad for its developmental I-League club, Pailan Indian Arrows and also announced that the upcoming national football academy will be based here in the city.

The Pailan Group, which signed a deal with the AIFF outfit a few days ago, had reportedly expressed their unhappiness as several key players decided to move to different clubs. The All India Football Federation general secretary Kushal Das after a meeting with Pailan chief Apurba Saha said the company will be providing the infrastructure for the academy which will come up on the outskirts of the city. The academy, initially planned in Goa and later in Gurgaon, would have a foreign director at its helm but AIFF said they were yet to finalise its inauguration date. In another move to revive the side, AIFF also decided to appoint a technical director to work alongside Englishman Desmond Bulpin in the outfit.The name of former India coach Sukhwinder who is jobless after JCT shut shop is doing the rounds, even though a formal announcement is yet to be made. PTI