Minerva Club make the cut for 2nd Division I-League

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 1

The recently held core committee meeting of the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) has shortlisted Minerva Football Club, Chandigarh, for the Second Division I-League.

The I-League committee included AIFF general secretary Kushal Das, CEO Sunando Dhar and technical director Scott O’ Donell. They approved the induction of Minerva Football Club into top 11 clubs of the nation. A total of 11 teams, including LoneStar Kashmir FC, Guwahati FC, Mohammaden Sporting Club, DSK Shivajians FC, PIFA Sports, Kenkre Sports, Dempo SC, NEROCA FC, Fateh Hyderabad FC, Gangtok Himalayan SC and Minerva FAC will participate in the Second Division League 2015-16.

The participation is subjected to the fulfillment of the club licensing criteria. The approval will help the local players in showcasing their skill at the senior level. The league is the first step to hog the limelight. The local club, if finishes among top performers, would be eligible to play in the I- league.

Minerva Academy was founded in 2005 by Ranjit Bajaj, who is also the executive director of the club. He himself played in the Santosh Trophy and Durand Cup besides representing India in the U-19 Asian School Games held in Malaysia.

“The news is not only a shot in the arm for me but for the people of Chandigarh. Besides professional players, we have a licence-A coach, Surinder Singh, and other supporting staff. We want to secure a place among top teams in the tournament so that we could play in the I–League. Keeping in mind the importance of young legs, we are also planning to add more players from across the region,” said Bajaj. He further added, “We are honoured to represent Chandigarh in the Second Division I-league as we are the only club to do so.