Guwahati, March 3: The much-awaited debut of Oil India Limited in the National “B” Division Football League in Shillong on Thursday has been overshadowed by talks about the availability of its first-choice coach Bidhan Das.
A NIS coach employed by the directorate of sports and youth welfare, Assam, Das was on lien with OIL from May 2002 to February 8 this year. However, he has not been released by his employers despite repeated requests by the OIL management.
A 20-member OIL team left Duliajan with coach-cum-manager Ramesh Phukan this evening for Shillong where they will meet Langsning SC in their opening game on March 6. OIL is still hopeful of getting the services of Das, who helped the team win the coveted Assam Club Championship, propelling the side to its maiden national league appearance.
Senior OIL executive D.D. Khound said, “As of today the directorate of sports has not released him (Das), but I hope they will do the needful in the greater interest of football in Assam.”
Das’ unavailability has affected OIL’s run-up to the meet. “His presence would have helped fine-tune our preparations since he had been with the boys for a year now,” another senior official said.
OIL has requisitioned the services of defenders Sushanta Majumdar and Kushal Rajkonwar of the NF Railways to boost their prospects. “Under AIFF rules, every team can avail the services of two players on lien from other teams,” Khound said.
The faith on Das, who has the Asian Football Confederation’s “C” certificate in coaching, stems from the sterling performances of the side under him.
Das, a former India schools coach, guided the team to impressive wins over East Bengal, Mohammedan Sporting, Nepal XI and Bangladesh XI (in an invitational meet held in Bhutan).
The OIL team: Jitu Chetri, Manju Saikia, Rubul Gogoi, Ratul Sonowal Manoj Gogoi, Jadumoni Tamuly, Jatin Das, M.S. Ali, E.L. Nathan Chullai, Birjab Mushahary, Bitu Gogoi, Duleswar Gogoi, Prafulla Hazarika, Tridip Khound, Mrinal Bora, Bhimkanta Sonowal, Bhupen Gogoi, Rubul Rajkhowa, Sushanta Mazumdar and Kushal Rajkonwar.
