NDFA bars clubs from ‘importing’ footballers

By Paritosh Pramanik

March 29, 2026

TO ARREST the dwindling participation of local footballers in city leagues, Nagpur District Football Association (NDFA) has decided to restrict participation of outstation players in Elite Division from the coming season.

Till now, clubs used to ‘import’ players from outside the city and state to make their teams strong. This hampered participation of local footballers which the clubs assumed they were feeble.

NDFA President Haresh Vora, while informing life members and club representatives during its Annual General Meeting on Saturday, said that from the coming season, clubs will have to register maximum local players in their squad.

“The clubs need to understand that they are playing Nagpur district league. It has been noticed that clubs are ‘importing’ players from other states and ignoring local talents, especially in Elite Division. NDFA conducts tournaments to promote local talents so that they represent State and national teams. But by selecting ‘outsiders’, clubs are doing injustice to city footballers,” Vora noted.

“We have decided to allow only three ‘imported’ players that too only from Maharashtra, to play in NDFA Elite Division League from this season. Teams will have to register maximum number of Nagpur players,” Vora added.

Last season, Rabbani Club Kamptee won the JSW Elite Division title with footballers from Kamptee and Nagpur.

In contrast, runners-up Young Muslim Football Club had only a few local players while the team was heavily built on ‘outsiders’ which included a few from Jammu and Kashmir. “This three outstation players in a team will not be applicable for department teams,” Vora clarified.

The NDFA President also informed that in Super Division, only three players of above 21 years of age will be allowed to participate.

“There has to be a proper structure and balance. Hence we have decided to restrict the age limit in Super Division. Let the young ones fight out with their opponents of same age. The reason for permitting three players of above 21 years is to guide the young teenagers. These three senior players can be mentors for the budding footballers,” explained Vora.

Surprisingly, there was no discussion held on grassroot football. The AGM failed to discuss on organising Under-13, U-15 or U-17 leagues. Such leagues can be the feeder line as it has been seen in other sports.

Another major miss was discussion on women’s football. Not a single word was discussed about promoting and developing eves football in the city.

The members congratulated Christopher Peter who became the first FIFA Qualified Assistant Referee from Nagpur.

Dubey wants to give his best in all 3 departments

By Paritosh Pramanik

March 28, 2026

He came out with flying colours in the limited opportunities he got in the last IPL and left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey wants to delivery another superlative performance for Sunrisers Hyderabad this season starting Saturday.

Sunrisers Hyderabad will meet defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opening encounter at M Chinnaswamy Stadium 

in Bengaluru in the evening tussle.

Last year, Vidarbha’s premier spinner Dubey was picked as replacement player by SRH and he made an immediate impact with his slow bowling.

He decorated his short resume with prized wickets of Virat Kohli and Andre Russell.

If included in the playing XI, Dubey wants to continue from where he left.

“It would be special,” he said when asked whether he would love to once again take the scalp of Kolhi.

Retained by SRH for the season, Dubey wants to give his 100 per cent in all three departments of the game —batting, bowling and fielding. 

“This time I have worked hard on all three departments of the game. If I wish to play for India (in future) I will have to be best in all three departments,” stated Dubey while speaking with ‘The Hitavada’ from Bengaluru.

Dubey said he will have to show more responsibility this season. The 23-year-old tweaker said whenever he gets a chance to play, he will keep things simple.

“They (SRH) showed belief in me. They felt that I can handle that pressure in a certain situation. It’s a new opportunity for me and I will have to stay a step ahead from my opponents because they will come prepared this time. My plan will be to keep it simple. I don’t want to make things complicated because at times it happens that when we try to experiment much, we fail to get favourable results,” explained Dubey who recently won the BCCI’s best bowler and best all-rounder awards for 2024-2025 Ranji season.

Dubey said that the long break after end of domestic season gave him time to prepare well for IPL.

“Preparations were solid this time. I joined the team from Day One. We got a long break of a month (after domestic season) so we all trained hard for this season. I am focussing on a couple of aspects this time. My main focus is on my diet. Similarly, I am improving my fitness level. Doing strength exercises and working on core to be in proper shape for the big day. I am also working hard on my batting. I will be batting at lower down the order and I want to contribute with the bat as well. If I want to play for the country I will have to give 100 per cent in all three departments (batting, bowling and fielding). Only then will I be able to impress selectors,” said Dubey.

The left-arm spinner said that he wants to live up to team’s expectations this time. 

“The team expects that I deliver the same way I did last year. They have given me some tasks which I will have to perform on the given day.” he signed off.

To outpunch rivals in Asian Games, Alfiya training on footwork, endurance

 

By Paritosh Pramanik

March 8, 2026

WITH eight international, 14 national and several state level medals including gold, silver and bronze, city’s Alfiya Tarannum Khan Pathan is not a novice to boxing.

The southpaw pugilist, who is Elite Asian boxing champion (2022, Jordan) and youth world boxing champion (Elorda Cup, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan), is leaving no stone unturned for the forthcoming Asian Boxing Championship scheduled to be held in Mongolia from March 28 to April 11.

Alfiya has been named in the 20-member Indian squad which also has Nikhat Zarin and Lovlina Borgohain by the Indian Boxing Federation.

Alfiya will be participating in the 80+ weight category and the 23-year-old is training hard in the India camp at Patiala.

On the eve of Women’s Day Alfiya talked with ‘The Hitavada’ about her preparations for the Asian meet.

“The training camp is intense and focused, and we are working hard every day on fitness, technique, and sparring. The goal is to be in the best possible shape before the championship,” Alfiya said on Saturday.

The Indian team will leave for Mongolia in next few days to get acclimatise with the 

conditions.

“First of all I would like to wish everybody on International Women’s Day.

“To all women, I would like to say ‘Believe in yourself and never limit your dreams. With hard work and determination, women can achieve success in every field, including sports,’” was the message from Alfiya, the Astana (Kazakhstan) Youth silver medallist.

Alfiya said there is scope of improvement every time and it is a continuous process.

But for this Asian meet she is concentrating hard on speed and endurance.

“This time the focus has been on speed, endurance, and tactical improvement. We worked a lot on footwork, defence, and ring strategy so that we can perform confidently against strong opponents,” she said confidently.

The expectations were high from Alfiya after she graduated to the senior team from the junior circuit where she made her mark with medal winning performances.

“The Asian Boxing Championships (in Mongolia) is extremely important for me. Asia has some of the best boxing nations, so performing well here means proving yourself at a very high level. It is also a great opportunity to gain experience and bring pride to the country,” Alfiya mentioned.

“I am expecting very tough competition. Asian boxers are technically strong and very disciplined, so every bout will be challenging and will require full focus,” she added.

With a tough field in her weight category, Alfiya is not taking any opponent lightly and is concentrating on her own game.

“At this level, every opponent is strong, so I am not focusing on a particular rival. I am concentrating on my own preparation and strategy for each bout,” said the Central Railways Nagpur TTE.

In the pious month of Ramadan, Alfiya is also observing fast whenever possible.

“During Ramadan, I am trying to observe fast as much as possible. “It is a spiritual month for us, and balancing faith with sports discipline is important. Fasting does make training more challenging, but with proper planning, hydration after Iftar, and guidance from coaches, I am managing it well. It also builds mental strength and discipline,” she explained.

Apart from regular training/sparring, the current Khelo India gold medallist for Maharashtra Alfiya is focusing on strength conditioning and breathing to maintain mental strength. 

“I am focusing on strength conditioning, stretching and sometimes meditation and breathing exercises to maintain mental focus and recovery,” she signed off.