Santosh Trophy cloud over league

Members of Jamshedpur Sporting Association at a meeting at the VIP lounge of JRD Tata Sports Complex. Picture by Srinivas

Jamshedpur, Apri 23: The shadow of the forthcoming Santosh Trophy seems to be looming large over Jamshedpur Sporting Association (JSA) football league this time.

With the first match of Jharkhand was scheduled to take place on May 26, when the coveted cup begins, there is a fear among JSA officials that the league may be affected as most of the players would be selected in the Jharkhand team to play the trophy.

The JSA football committee, which met today at the VIP lounge of the JRD Tata Sports Complex however finalised the dates of the leagues which starts in May. Though the number of clubs which would participate have not been decided, officials maintained that it would be done after the referee's committee meets tommorrow.

JSA secretary Harbhajan Singh said: “The official date for the commencement of the league has been kept on May 12. The number of teams have not been decided as yet but the format would be the same as had been played last year.”

He went on to add that most of the prominent play- ers in the clubs would be selected for the state team for Santosh trophy and that would be decrease the number of players.

“In a way, it would affect the league but we would continue with what has been decided and the league would commence shortly,” said Singh.

The league is played under three divisions namely the premier, super and “A” divisions.

The top clubs, including Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Football Academy, the champion of the premier division played in the same division, while other clubs coming in the second run play for the super division.

Sources said last year, the total number of clubs were 35 and there is a chance that the number of clubs would be increased if they comply by the technicalities. “We do want to increase the number of clubs, which would be for the betterment of the game and deliberations are on for the same,” said Singh.

Officials said if the clubs comply by the technical aspects like filling the registration forms and complying with the prescribed norms, the number of clubs might increase.

A final conclusion to this affect would be reach tomorrow during the refere- es’ committee meeting, officials added.