NFL moving backwards

The former international and renowned coach talked about a quot;grazing groundquot; used for some of this season8217;s matches in Calcutta, administrative and management problems and along with poor response from spectators and media as the country finds the concept of the National League a little stiff to handle at the moment.

PK says: quot;The last National League was a clear two goals up. There were better facilities and fewer problems.quot;

quot;Transport, for one, was better organised. Then, players8217; kit was no worry last season. This year teams have to take care of the kit themselves,quot; PK added.

East Bengal are presently in the lower half of the National League which will impose relegation for next season.Among the vexations of the second edition of the League has been the now infamous ball controversy which may fetch PK8217;s side three points after Churchill Brothers8217; refusal to play in Calcutta on January 2.

The Goan side, guided by the now missing Amal Dutta, were forbidden to play East Bengal because of the choice of the ball. The topic of the spheroid and the ensuing fracas brings to PK8217;s mind a better organised inaugural League won by JCT.

quot;Better facilities included full kit for the squad as well as many as 16 balls for each side,quot; PK said.

quot;Any way you look at it, we8217;re moving backwards,quot; PK added.

PK also does not take kindly to the grave imperfections when it comes to ground conditions. He described the ground used for some of the matches 8212; the Rabindra Swarabar, scene of an India vs Iran match in 1984 8212; as a grazing ground, hazardous to play on because of its awkward bounce. He, however, lightens the gloom on the National League horizon with a shade of optimism. PK is glad that inaugural league flops 8212; the Calcutta sides 8212; have shown attempts to readdress their approach to the NFL in particular and soccer in general.

quot;Calcutta clubs East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting were sadly confined to the British amateur code of thinking,quot; PK explains.

quot;There is simply no room for that in the National League. After the disappointment of the first National League, both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have been in search for sponsors. There is a chance that East Bengal will be sponsored by United Breweries UB and the ensuing money will help their efforts build a stronger team for the National League,quot; PK informs.

PK, with a vision to build a formidable side in about five years time, has influenced East Bengal develop under-15 and under-19 sides which will form the nucleus of their National League challenges of the future.

quot;Gautam Sarkar, a star of the 8217;70s, is presently coaching the under-19 squad while under-15 players are being trained by Anita Dey, the first-ever Asian woman to obtain a coaching diploma in England,quot; PK said.

PK favourably views the continued presence of foreign players, notably Africans in the National League. He appreciates the near impossibility of drawing footballers from first class nations to the league because of financial limitations but enthuses on the benefits that Indian soccer can reap nonetheless.

quot;Playing with and against big-bodied African players will not only enhance competition but will go a long way in helping our players overcome fears en route to the international arena,quot; PK said.

The former National coach and technical director of Tata Football Academy hopes that habits, attitudes and styles of some of his foreign players rub of on his Indian hopefuls.

quot;I want Debashish Pal Choudary to be influenced by Kenyan stopper Samuel Omollo and Baichung Bhutia by Nigerean striker Zeba.quot;