Live India, Love Football

This past Sunday was Father's Day. I woke up thinking that it would have been nice to be able to spend it with my Father in our California home. On most Father's Days, Mother's Days or any other holiday, our family usually wakes up, works out and then eats a hearty breakfast while we go through half of our gifts we have picked out or made for whoever we are celebrating that day.  Then we spend the rest of the day walking on the beach, going shopping or watching the myriad of sports which usually air on important holidays in the US. The night always involves pizza, beer, music and the distribution of the rest of the presents. It may always be the same routine, but I love it and wouldn't change a thing.  Given that I'm tens of thousands of miles away from my family, it was important that I engage myself in something fun in order to limit the homesick bug which tends to creep up on family centric days like this. Fortunately, my colleagues secured passes to the Pep

This morning I drove down to Ambedkar Stadium to play a friendly match.  On the way down, I realized that I was going to be playing in Indian football's national stadium, after the U-23 national team camp and the members of my team will be made up of national team staff.  I was excited for a few moments, but then I sadly acknowledged the fact that this would probably be the closest I get to actually playing on an Indian national team which had always been a dream of mine. All was not lost though. Even though it was 110 degrees, I loved every minute of the game. I remember being in NYC dreaming about moving to India and playing weekend matches with some of the key influencers in Indian football.  Our team was made up of senior staff of Libero Sports India, FIFA and AIFF.  So even though we lost the game, today was a draw for me. One dream dead, one dream realized....

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to visit a few of the top youth football Academies in India.  It’s always interesting to see first-hand some of the blood, sweat and tears football administrators are investing into the future of the sport in the country.  Not to mention, I love experiencing different cultures, norms and idiosyncrasies in each place I visit (there are many).  I won't get too deep into my personal adventures and challenges of traveling through West Bengal and Punjab in the insanely hot month of May.  I'll need to save those for another blog.   I've included the places I’ve visited with some pictures. Pailan World School (Kolkata) http://www.pailanworldschool.com/ Workers putting in artificial turf for the new FIFA Youth Academy Chandigarh Football Academy http://chandigarh.gov.in/dept_sports7.htm The hostel where the CFA players live YFC Rurka Kalan (Rurka Kalan, Punjab) http://yfcrurka

I'll take any opportunity to share the story about what kind of projects we worked on in MLS and how this learning can contribute to the growth of football in India.  Partly because I like to talk, but mainly because I truly believe that the strategic growth plan executed in the US can help India transform it's football landscape:  I've said it from day 1 when I moved to this country and I believe it even more now on day 943. One of my former colleagues at MLS, Sergio Delgado, started a blog called "Creating Soccer" where he interviews many of the people who worked at the League Office over the years. Sergio was a Creative Designer for the league and I must say that he was one of the most passionate people in the office.  The Metrostars (then Red Bulls) were tattooed on his heart and I always admired him for his loyalty to this New Jersey based club and the family of friends he created through his support. Anyway, here is a link to the interview:  http://www.s

I’m happy to share that Libero Sports India is now 2 years old. It’s quite incredible that the company which started in our Managing Director’s spare bedroom is now made up of a team of 6 operating out of a beautiful mansion we aptly call Libero House.  Working in an uncertain sport like football in an uncertain country like India, I feel proud to be a part of a team which has not only survived for the past 2 years, but has been a contribution to the growth of the sport in this country.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCkkN3KXiGo We celebrated in style with a football match on our front lawn followed by a small party with family and friends.Here are some pictures from the match:

A little over a year ago I was in Spain with 27 young Delhi NCR based Conscient Football participants experiencing Barcelona football, culture and history. http://liveindia-lovesoccer.blogspot.in/2011/06/barcelona.html    During those days, we were just happy to have the opportunity to be in the same city as the magical FCBarcelona and the only real relationship we had with the club was through their museum, gift shops and watching them play from the highest possible row in Camp Nou. At that time none of us had any idea how much this club would become a part of our lives over the next year. Soon after our exposure trip to Spain, the Director of Conscient Football, Anu Jain, communicated that she wants to bring FCBarcelona to India. It started with a few trips to Spain to discuss a possible partnership between Conscient Football and FCBarcelona. Then on October 19, 2011, we hosted a press conference in Delhi announcing the partnership and future plans to host FCBCamps throu