All sporting events in India had come to a standstill due to the novel coronavirus outbreak. Even though cricket matches for the IPL kicked off recently in Dubai, there was a huge doubt regarding the commencement of football events. After the seven months break, the I-League qualifiers will begin from October 8 in Kolkata. This will be the first sporting event to be held in India post-COVID period. It will also mark the return of competitive sport in the country.
The qualifier will consist of five teams: Mohammedan Sporting club, FC Bengaluru United, ARA FC, Garhwal FC and Bhawanipore FC; 10 games will be held between October 8 and October 19, across 2 stadiums in a round-robin format (each team will play every other team one time) and the team that finishes at the top of the group will gain promotion to the 2020-21season of I-League. In the opening game, Bhawanipore FC (currently coached by former Mohun Bagan coach Sankarlal Chakraborty) will face FC Bengaluru United at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. This match will be the first match after ISL (Indian Super League) final in Goa which was held on March 14.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Indian Football Association (IFA) has played a pivotal part in organising the tournament. AIFF will also pay a travel subsidy of 2 Lakhs for the entire tournament to the outstation teams. They have come up with strategies and security protocols to ensure the safety of the officials and the players. They will get everyone tested at least four times during the tournament. They will even monitor every member by conducting regular checks such as oxygen level, body temperature etc. Transport and training grounds will be sanitised at regular intervals. Matches would be held behind the closed doors and restricted media personnel will be allowed.
Covid-19 Protocols:
Bio-bubble has been set up in Hyatt Regency, Kolkata for team members, AIFF officials and match officials. Each team will be provided with 15 double occupancy rooms (extra rooms can be demanded). Separate lifts, dining halls, exit and entry points will be assigned to the contingents. Gym sessions will be conducted using the hotel facilities.
Before arriving Kolkata for the tournament, the entire squad including the staffs and officials must get tested for Covid-19 twice. The first test should be conducted between 15th -18th September and another between 22nd-23rd September. Both the test results should be submitted by 24th September. Only those who have tested negative will be allowed to enter the hotel.
Once the teams touch down in Kolkata, they will enter the Bio-bubble where they will quarantine themselves for five days. They won’t be allowed to train during this period.
Nobody will be allowed to go out of the bio-bubble during the entire duration of their stay except for the scheduled matches and training.
RT-PCR tests would be conducted every 5 days for everybody including the hotel staffs, bus drivers and the volunteers.
Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
TEAM ANALYSIS
In picture: Garhwal FC players
“After a long break, going into the competition is a big challenge. But we have coped well with this. We started training in a bio bubble in Delhi and then trained in Kolkata. The team is in good shape,” said Vikas Rawat, Garhwal FC coach
This team mainly consists of local players from the Garhwal community in Delhi. Even though they lack experienced senior players, they have to potential to surprise the other four teams.
In picture: Mohammedan Sporting club players
"Coming into the bubble, the first four days were difficult. Sitting inside the room by ourselves. So we had virtual sessions. We had no one to learn from. Now others are learning from us," said Yan Law, Mohammedan Sporting club head coach.
This team has been blessed with a new financial investor which have helped them in bringing in top-flight experience players like Eze Kingsley, SK Faiaz and Samuel Shadap. The expectation bar has been set really high for this team.
In picture: FC Bengaluru United players
They have some great Indian players like Rana Gharami and Azharuddin Mallick who can help propel them into the I-League. They have the perfect combination of experience and youth. Definitely, a team to watch out for!
Bhowanipore FC and ARA FC are regarded as the dark horses in the qualifiers. However, each team will have to play 4 games in a span of 10 days. So the team with maximum fitness, agility and gameplay would definitely win the qualifier rounds.
Moreover, the games would be streamed live on 1Sports’ Facebook page and broadcasted on 1Sports television channel.
Picture Courtesy: Twitter
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