Internet Desk: A group of footballers from Ivory Coast are in big trouble and are unable to return home. The footballers from Stella club are now in Kalyani, West Bengal and find themselves in helpless situation. The footballers are accusing the sports management company that brought them to India, for such a situation. The sports management company though is denying the allegations against them.
A football team ( Stella Club) comprising of 17 footballers from Didier Drogba’s native arrived in Mumbai on March 07. According to their manager, they came to India on the assurance that the footballers can give trials to top football clubs in India. MAPS Future Sports, a sports management company based in Kolkata approached the footballers in Ivory Coast and gave them a proposal which would allow them to come to India to play three friendly matches in India. It was mutually agreed that they have to pay US $4000 to MAPS for staying in India for 6 days and take part in three friendlies. The money has to be paid by them before flying into India.
MAPS Future Sports in Kolkata organized three friendly matches for Stella Club. They played matches against Bhawanipur club, Rainbow club and United Sports club in a gap of six days.
The Ivory Coast footballers came to know that there was no trial organized for them in any top football clubs in India. They tried to contact the persons responsible at MAPS Future Sports for bringing them in this country. Among the 17 players two managed to travel back home. But the rest of the 15 players are left stranded as they do not have the money to fly back home. They were also forced out of the hotel they were staying in at Kalyani.
The footballers feel cheated and are fuming in anger. But they have no other option but to stay here for a few more days till the money is organized for their travel back home. According to Prothom Basu, who was part of the deal between MAPS Future Sports and the team from Ivory Coast , “As per the proposal letter that has been mailed by them, we were supposed to organize three friendly matches only. We were not responsible for any trials.”
Prothom further added, “We are still to receive the entire amount that was agreed upon. We were supposed to be paid US$ 4000 for organizing the friendly matches. Instead we were paid US$3500. We are trying to organize their return as early as possible although they have their visa to stay in this country till August 31”