NEW DELHI: All India Football Federation is all set to welcome a new corporate team to infuse more professionalism and raise the competitiveness in Hero I-League, the premier football league in India. DSK Shivajians, one of the eminent clubs based in Pune, qualified through direct bidding, to take part in Hero I-League 2015-16 season onwards to make the contest more aggressive and vigorous.
Although Shivajians Football Club was a familiar name in Pune football circuit, it failed to hit the national stage primarily. DSK Group, an avid supporter of football, acquired the club in 2010 and subsequently it was baptised as DSK Shivajians Football Club. Since then, it has been a glorious anecdote for the Pune club, especially in grassroots and youth development.
DSK Shivajians FC is the first Indian club to have a tie up with an EPL powerhouse in terms of grassroots and youth development. Liverpool Football Club(LFC) International Football Academy- DSK Shivajians is one of the major footballer breeding factories in India and they have proven their worth in the national stage. Lallianzuala and Mawihmingthanga, the crème-de-la-crème of the academy, have donned the national jersey already and the youngsters have thwarted many an opponent in the ongoing U-18 I-League so far. The hardcore grassroots and youth development paved the path for the senior team to take up the biggest challenge, to show the courage to confront the omnipotent football clubs of Hero I-League. Ardeshir Jeejeebhoy, CEO, DSK Shivajians FC, rightly stated, “For us the grassroot programme is very important in identifying the youngsters first and letting them play the game at a participation level. From there, if we can identify certain talent which comes through, we can nurture them over the years and it would be a natural progression for those talent into our senior team which is something we hope to built”.
DSK Shivajians have made their debut in national stage in Second Division League, 2013. Albeit they have outsmarted five opponents out of eight in the group, a loss to Rangdajied United, eventual champions, hurt their maiden national outing. Come 2015, they are geared up for the biggest stage and it’s time to rub shoulders with who’s who of Indian football in the likes of reigning Hero I-League champions Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru FC and many more. Shirish Kulkarni, President, DSK Shivajians FC, sounded delighted but composed at the crucial juncture, “We are really excited to be a part of the Hero I-League and we look forward to competing with all the big clubs of Indian Football. We know its going to be a big challenge for us but we have full confidence in our own abilities”.
Unlike most of the other Indian football powerhouses, DSK Shivajians haven’t turned their back to the infrastructure issue and they have unfurled a newer dimension in terms of infrastructure. Even the senior Indian national team, coached by British gaffer Stephen Constantine, lauded their facilities during their camp at DSK arena ahead of the World Cup qualifier against IR Iran. Players in the likes of Sunil Chettri, Robin Singh and manager himself fell short of words while adulating the world class facilities present at DSK Shivajians Football Club.
Kushal Das, General Secretary, AIFF, wished the Pune based club ahead of their inaugural Hero I-League endeavour, “We are glad that DSK Shivajians have come up with a bid to join the Hero I-League. They have made a very good presentation about their work on grassroots, youth development and the DSK Shivajians – Liverpool Academy. Although some minor formalities are remaining, their entry in the Hero I-League will ensure a representation from Pune
