Live India, Love Football

A few months ago, my team and I met with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to discuss plans around the 2015 edition of the CII Soccerfest.   While this this initiative has been termed as a “fest” in past editions, I can be honest in sharing that it has really been more of an incredible corporate football tournament than an actual festival.   What has made it incredible in the past is the fact that the tournament takes place inside JNS in Delhi, a cavernous stadium upgraded for the 2010 Commonwealth Games which few “amateurs” ever get to experience as a participant. This year we collectively made the decision that the 2015 CII Soccerfest will actual be a festival, multiple days of football, music and fun. So after months of planning, the event finally took place and it was exactly what we had envisioned – hundreds of Delhiites enjoying the beautiful game while basking in the comforts of the warm winter sun. Beyond including youth and womens divisions in the t...

I had the opportunity to attend the 2015 AFC Annual Awards gala last night. Of all places in Asia, this special evening recognising Asia's best just happened to take place at Kingdom of Dreams, not only one of my favourite dinner spots in Gurgaon, but also a destination which is only 5 minutes drive from my apartment - which is unheard of in Delhi. Anyway, the event was quite impressive - definitely a fantastic showcase of Indian culture for the delegates from all over Asia. I felt lucky to have had the opportunity to experience the evening and spend time with some a number of friends in the industry. Here are few pictures from the event: Dance performance in between the presentation of awards With friends from Slum Soccer, One World Play and AIFF All of the AFC Award Winners on stage Kingdom of Dreams AIFF President Praful Patel with AFC President Sheik Salman An act from Kingdom of Dream's flagship show Zangoora peformed during the Awards ceremony...

I had the opportunity to speak on a panel at Sportzpower's Indian Football Forum at the St. Regis Hotel in Mumbai.  The panel was entitled "Corporate Social Opportunity" and it was focused on corporate support of grassroots football in India- a topic which is close to my heart. From a content and profile of speakers perspective, I felt that the conference was strong and it's actually extraordinary to see how much more there is to discuss thanks to the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Indian Super League and investors like Ronnie Screwvala who have committed millions of dollars to build the sport up from the grassroots level. I've attended every Indian Football Forum over the past 5 years, but the last time I spoke at one was in Delhi in March 2010 which was sort of my professional "coming out" party within the Indian football industry. Through a stroke of luck, Sportzpower's founder and CEO Thomas Abraham gave me the opportunity to deliver a keynote prese...

Another non-sports related post, but definitely worth it. Last year I met Avantika at a dance festival and immediately fell in love. Not long after our first few days together, I knew with 100% surety that this is the woman I’ll spend the rest of my life with, it just took a few months to have the courage to share this news with her.   Actually our heart knows everything, it’s only our head which confuses most situations. Anyway, I’m happy to announce that last Sunday, Avantika and I got engaged in front of our family and close friends.   It actually was a Roka Ceremony which is basically when both sets of families bless the couple and formally accept each other.   It was a beautiful evening full of songs, sentimental speeches and a whole lot of tears, hugs and cake. I really can’t wait to marry Avantika and spend the rest of my life loving, growing and celebrating with her.

Working within the Indian football industry is not always fun, easy or gratifying.   There are many challenging conversations, pointless meetings, egotistical people, corruption, bureaucracy and hordes and hordes of emails / phone calls which no one responds to (for no particular reason).   To be honest, there are many times when you ask yourself, “Is this really worth it? “ Then there are these “magical moments” when all the long hours, sleepless nights and heartburn seem to disappear and you can’t imagine doing anything else in your professional career. For me, one magical moment was when I stood on stage and officially announced the partnership between my client Conscient Football and FC Barcelona to establish FCBEscola India – a first of its kind partnership in India.   Another magical moment was when I stood on stage and announced the partnership between my client DSK Group and Liverpool FC to establish LIFA-DSK – another first of its kind in the country. ...

I’ve always heard the saying that “the only constant in life is change,” yet for some reason when it happens in my life, it takes awhile for me to accept.   A few weeks ago, my boss, friend and India mentor Sukhvinder Singh (“Sukkhi”) shared that he has been appointed as the new CEO of the Indian Super League franchise, FC Goa.   While I was happy for my long-time friend and boss given the profile of the position and incredible quality of life in Goa, I went through a number of emotions during the few weeks post his announcement. I guess I got so used to building Libero Sports and contributing to the Indian football industry alongside Sukkhi that I never thought about what it would be like if he was no longer around.   I have deep gratitude for Sukkhi. It was him who spent quality time with me during my second trip to India in 2008 sharing all that he knew about the Indian football industry. On that same trip, it was him who connected me with Indian football indus...

I’ve heard many great people say that every step taken in the direction of your heart, opens up a whole world beyond what our eyes can see.   For so many of us, there have been times when there is something our heart is screaming for however we just don’t move, we don’t take those steps.   It was back in 2006 that my heart was screaming for me to do something meaningful in India, but I didn’t even take a single step. Not until 2007 when I booked my first flight to the country with no intention, but just to explore. And now 8 years later, I’m living in India, serving as Director of the country’s leading football consultancy and part of an incredible community of people. It just takes that first step. Now I’ve embarked on another journey, by taking the first step.   For the past   year or so, my heart has been screaming that I should be more involved in the social responsibility side of football.   Not that I want to get away from what I’m doing at Libero Sp...

While I was in London, I stopped over to visit Tim Vine at the Premier League Office. I don’t know what it is but there is always something special every time I step into the corporate home of the biggest league in the world.   On the same day, I took a trip up North and visited The Hive, London’s largest football training infrastructure and home to League 2 club Barnet FC. Sukkhi and I spent the afternoon with our old friend from Panasonic India, Kunal Dua who is now based in London and serving as Business Development head for the complex and club.   I must say that I was really impressed with the infrastructure and overall feeling of the venue. 8 UEFA certified 4G pitches, a nice clubhouse and a total community vibe to the whole place.