It’s not over till it’s over, says IFA Secretary Joydeep Mukherjee
Joydeep Mukherjee, Secretary, Indian Football Association, who has been leading the LOC (Local Organising Committee) in the ongoing Hero I-League Qualifiers 2020 – the first live sporting event in India post the COVID pandemic lockdown – feels “it’s not over till it’s over.”
In a freewheeling interview, Mukherjee speaks at length about what prompted him to accept the challenge of hosting the tournament, the unique challenges under the ‘new normal,’ the sanitising procedure, the learnings, and much more. EXCERPTS:
You have been closely associated with the operational activities. What have the learnings been so far?
Arranging everything for all the five participating teams in one hotel and catering to their requirements is in itself a big challenge on any day. And here, we are ensuring all of that under the COVID bubble.
But it’s not over till it’s over. We have completed two match-days, and three remain. Till all the teams have not departed the team hotel, we have to be on our toes. Of course, having worked with the League department and media department prior in other competitions, the bonding has been excellent.
The fact that the first-ever sporting event was organised in Kolkata and Kalyani post the COVID pandemic lockdown – no one will ever be able to take the credit away from us.
Under the current circumstances, how did you back yourself to conduct the Hero I-League Qualifiers simultaneously in Kolkata and Kalyani?
The number of tournaments which are organised and played all throughout the year is quite unique in our state. But football in Bengal has always been up to the challenge. Infrastructure-wise, we are very much developed – having hosted several tournaments of various magnitudes in the recent past. So when the opportunity came to organise the first-ever sporting competition in India post the lockdown, we immediately accepted it.
If we don’t have the capacity to enact the challenge as an organisation and if as the leader of my organisation I can’t lead it – there’s no reason for all of us to remain at the helm for the sake of just being there.
How unique is this a challenge for the IFA and Indian Football overall?
Under normal circumstances, it would have been different. But under the ‘new normal’ with all these stringent COVID restrictions in place – both within and outside the bubble, it’s an entirely unique concept of match operations.
Can you elaborate?
There are 16 staff, including seven with a sports management background working relentlessly at the two venues, i.e., in Kolkata and Kalyani. Everything is being sanitised – right from the goalposts to the dugouts to the dressing rooms, team buses, cars for officials, etc.
The dressing rooms, for example, are being sanitised two hours prior to the practice sessions, and six hours prior to the kick-off on match-day, and then they are sealed. For each team, we needed to have proper practice grounds, with well-sanitized dressing rooms – and all of them have been successfully arranged.
What about the team buses?
The team buses have been stationed at the team hotels, and the drivers and the helpers are staying in a nearby hotel. We didn’t want to take any risk by letting the drivers go back to their homes and park the vehicles in their garages.
Are the drivers also being tested?
Absolutely — there have been and will be further COVID tests for all of them.
Even at the ground, the ball boys are maintaining distance by standing way back, wearing gloves, face shields, sanitising the balls every time they are touching it, and then placing the balls on the cones stationed near the lines.
In our effort to make it foolproof, all the ball boys are over 18. So, that’s a distinct shift from our regular protocol of having our academy boys as ball boys, which is a norm all over the world.
This is a dress rehearsal for the Hero I-League to be held later on in the year. Will that be a bigger challenge?
The number of teams in the Hero I-League – all being housed in more number of hotels, more practice venues, and more match venues will obviously be a much bigger challenge. The learnings from the qualifiers will need to be put into sync to execute the best operational practices.
We need to sustain the success of the initial days of the Qualifiers all throughout the tournament and better it during the Hero I-League. We are confident that Bengal can host any tournament at any point of time and in any situation.
– Credits: I-League Media
Also Read: Young Rijal scores two on debut as Mohammedan cruise to a 4-1 victory
For articles on unknown talented footballers – Visit here
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football.
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / MFA Super League
Redefining Mumbai Football: The unique approach of India On Track FC
In a football landscape where clubs often prioritize short-term success over long-term sustainability, India On Track FC (IOT FC) stands out as a beacon of dedication, unity, and unwavering commitment…
Mohun Bagan Super Giant produce magnificent triumph to storm into second straight ISL final after 2-0 win against Odisha FC
Kolkata, April 28: Mohun Bagan Super Giant emerged triumphant against the Odisha FC by 2-0 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata tonight to win the second leg of their…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MYJ-GMSC Completes Unbeaten Season with Draw Against Millat FC
Kartik Strike in the first half seize’s MYJ-GMSC their unbeaten debut season in MFA Premier League In a high-octane Clash at the MFA Premier League, MYJ-GMSC faced off against Millat…
Mumbai City FC ease past FC Goa to set up blockbuster grand finale clash against ISL Champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Mumbai, April 29: Mumbai City FC set up a finals date with the Mohun Bagan Super Giant after defeating FC Goa by 2-0 in the second leg of their semi-final…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MH Oranje FC Seals Penultimate Game with Thrilling 2-1 Win Over Reliance FYC
Yogesh Kadam’s First-Half Brace Propels MH Oranje FC Toward a Strong Season Finish. MH Oranje FC clinched a significant 2-1 win over Reliance FYC in the penultimate game of the…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…