Footballers, scribes to protest against DD

Past and present footballers, coaches, sports journalists and soccer lovers will gather in front of Doordarshan's office in Kolkata on Monday to protest against the state-owned broadcaster's 'indifference' to the game.

The football fraternity is angry that Doordarshan did not telecast India's pre-World Cup match against Singapore earlier this week in Goa. The hosts won the game 1-0.

Doordarshan does not have plans to telecast, live or recorded, India's next World Cup qualifier against Oman either.

Footballers, coaches and football writers have taken umbrage at Doordarshan's no-show and will demonstrate their frustration at the way soccer is treated by the electronic media.

"We have planned this protest in the interests of football," East Bengal coach Subash Bhowmick, a prime mover of the idea, said. "We will gather in front of the DD office here in silent protest on Monday."

Bhowmick has the support of past footballers like Sailen Manna and Surajit Sengupta. Even the likes of star striker Bhaichung Bhutia are expected to join the demonstration.

The protestors will carry placards and poster urging the media and the authorities to be a bit more 'caring towards football'.

Sengupta said Doordarshan did not show the match against Singapore either because of administrative failure or becausae of disinterest in the game. "Both are dangerous for football," he said. "More so because DD has a dedicated sports channel."

Bhowmick and Sengupta have urged all football lovers to join the protest. "The protest is against the treatment meted out to football. So, being a football lover, I will go there," said Arnab Pal, a collegian and East Bengal supporter.