JOIN USAmidst a clutch of former State and National football players, the Karnataka Football Players Association (KFPA) was launched here on Monday.
KFPA, affiliated to the Football Players Association of India (FPAI), aims to improve the standards of the game in the State and provide opportunities to emerging talents.
“We want to keep contributing to Karnataka football. It is disappointing that our State has only one team in the I-League. We will start our efforts from the grassroot level and recognise gifted players and give them best facilities,” said Carlton Chapman, former India captain and vice-president of KFPA.
Cine star Puneeth Rajkumar, named the Brand Ambassador of KFPA, was the chief guest at the event.
The association is headed by R Ratan Singh while current India assistant coach and former national player S Venkatesh is the vice-president. Veterans Peter Pushparaj, Chitra Gangadharan, Gambetta Da Costa and Jagadish Kumar are the other members of the Executive Committe.
Chinta Chandrashekar Rao (Sporting Club de Goa) and NS Manju (Bengaluru FC) are two of the current players who are part of KFPA.
Cyrus Confectioner, General Manager (FPAI), also present at the event, stressed on the need to spread awareness about such organisations for the benefit of the players. “Nine years since its inception, the FPAI is working constantly towards helping players get their due, be it in terms of financial requirements or playing opportunities. Many players from across the country complain of not getting their promised remuneration. In such scenarios, the Players Association will help the players get their due and encourage them to keep contributing to the game.”
KFPA members said the body has got the backing of the Karnataka State Football Association. “We do not wish to run a parallel organisation. The efforts of KSFA or Bangalore District Football Association is to promote the game while KFPA will work towards encouraging and identifying players,” said Pradeep Kumar, Treasurer, KFPA.
Former internationals Arumainayagam and Ilyas Pasha were felicitated on the occasion.