ISL & I-League players unite to play honouring young footballer's death

Guwahati: At least 13 Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League players have come forward to play charity matches to raise fund in the name of a young footballer who died in 2018 in a tragic road accident. The two matches will be played between All Assam Football Players Association (AAFPA) and Karbi Anglog XI in Diphu. The funds that will be raised from the two matches are going to be handed over to Apurba Phukan’s family. AAFPA general secretary and former North East United FC forward Durga Boro said that they are glad to be a part of this noble initiative. “This is a great initiative which we have never done here. We are glad that we will be playing for something good. We play competitive football round the year but this type of initiatives is very welcome for someone from our fraternity,” Boro said. Apurba Phukan, in his late 20s, who represented Assam in Santosh Trophy and at the U-23 level died in a road mishap in October in 2018 at Naharkotia. Phukan also played for ASEB Sports Club, Maharana Athletic Club, Jewel Star Club and FC Green Valley. The first match will be played at the KASA Stadium at Diphu while the second match on July 22 will be played at Dongkamukam in Karbi Anglong district. Some of the players to play in the charity matches are Vinit Rai from Delhi Dynamos who is currently in team India camp, Halicharan Narzary from Chennaiyin FC (on loan), Alen Deory and Pranjal Bhumij from Mumbai City FC, Subham Chhetri from Minerva Punjab FC, Pragyan Gogoi from Kerala Blasters FC and Rakesh Pradhan from Shillong Lajong FC among others. Pranjal who scored a spectacular goal against Kerala Blasters FC in the stoppage time last year said that it’s a great opportunity as well for the players of the state to get together for a cause. “Normally, we don’t get to see each other often and play as well. But here it will be a great opportunity for us to be together for a great cause. We all are looking forward to it,” said Pranjal.