Former Indian footballer and coach T K Chathunni dies
Kochi (PTI): T K Chathunni, a former Indian football player and coach, died on Wednesday morning at a private hospital here, members of Kerala football fraternity said here.
Chathunni, 79, was undergoing treatment for cancer.
As a defender, he played for Kerala and Goa in the prestigious Santhosh Trophy.
After his playing career, Chathunni transitioned to coaching.
One of the finest coaches in Indian football, Chathunni had a significant impact on the game for over 40 years.
He coached several well-known teams, including Mohun Bagan, Dempo Goa and FC Cochin.
In 1979, he became the coach of Kerala's Santhosh Trophy team.
Chathunni also authored an autobiography titled "Football My Soul," reflecting on his life and career in football.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly V D Satheesan condoled his demise.
In his message, the Chief Minister recalled that Chathunni was active as a player and coach for four decades.
Condoling his demise, Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan said, "When the history of Indian football is told, Chathunni will be at the forefront."
Chathunni was on the field for more than four decades as a player and coach. He had unmatched achievements as a coach, he said.
"Coach Chathunni played a major role in bringing the generation of I M Vijayan and C V Pappachan to the heights of excellence. Chathunni's demise is a great loss to the sports world," Satheesan added.
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Lebanon appoints new representative for talks with Israel, rejects linkage to Iran
Beirut: Lebanon’s has moved to underline its independent position in ongoing regional developments, amid attempts to link the country to the broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
President Joseph Aoun, while announcing the appointment of former US ambassador Simon Karam as Lebanon’s representative in talks with Israel, made it clear that Karam would be the sole representative for Lebanon and that there would be no substitute.
The move comes in response to what the Lebanese officials see as efforts by Iran to tie Lebanon’s situation to the wider regional conflict. Iran had indicated that there would be no ceasefire involving the US, Israel and Iran unless it also included a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Some groups, including Hezbollah and its supporters, had expressed support for linking the situations, citing concerns that the Lebanese government has limited leverage in negotiations with Israel. Lebanon is not formally a party to the conflict, and its army is considered weak.
However, others, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, have opposed this approach. They view Iran’s stance as an attempt to influence Lebanon’s internal affairs and see it as undermining the country’s sovereignty.
Officials backing the government’s position say the move is aimed at reaffirming Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensuring that decisions about peace and ceasefire within the country are not dictated externally.
They also see it as a safeguard, so that any breakdown in talks between the US, Israel and Iran does not automatically lead to renewed conflict in Lebanon.
