AIFF names squad for Indian Arrows

KOLKATA: In crisis-control mode after clubs refused to release loaned players for one more year, the AIFF on Tuesday 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 along side 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.
The AIFF secretary further said they were contemplating curtailing India's three-match series against Pakistan in England as the dates were clashing with the Federation Cup fixtures.
As per the contract, the Indian squad will play at least one match.
AIFF will also form a team to ensure that the upcoming high profile international friendly between Argentina and Venezuela at Salt Lake Stadium on September is conducted smoothly.
The world body, FIFA, has sent a directive detailing the new guidelines about organising international friendlies, Das said.
Squad:
Goalkeepers:Naveen Kumar, Ravi Kumar, Kamaljeet Singh
Defenders: Avinaba Bag, Deepak Devrani, Gurtej Singh, Prathamesh Maulingkar, Amarwant Singh, Lalrozama fenai, Souvik Ghosh, Rajib Ghosh, Narayan Das, Vishal Kumar
Midfielders: Bijendra Rai, Jibon Singh, Tirthankar Sarkar, Bikramjit Singh, Shilton D'Silva, Sehnaz Singh, Probir Das, Krishanu Banerjee, Lalnunka
Forwards: Ajay Singh, Malswamfela, C S Sabeeth, Lalnunpuia, Holicharan Narzary.