La Liga club Girona FC to play 2 matches in Kochi
Kochi, June 26: La Liga club Girona FC will embark on a two-game trip to India in July, becoming only the second team from Europes top five football leagues to bring a team to the country, it was announced on Tuesday.
Girona's matches, as part of the Toyota Yaris La Liga World tournament, will take place against A-League side Melbourne City on July 27 and Indian Super League (ISL) side Kerala Blasters on July 28 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kerala, according to a release.
These two matches will also be part of Girona's build-up for the 2018-19 La Liga season.
Girona FC have had two seasons to remember, promotion from La Liga second division in 2016-17, the first in their near 88-year history, followed by a 10th place finish in the La Liga.
It was the league's governing body that helped to bring one of its top ten sides to India, a watershed moment for top European teams visiting the country.
Girona FC, nicknamed ‘Gironis' won the hearts of the neutrals last season with spirited displays against some of the giants of the division.
The La Liga side was boosted by the goals from top scorer Cristhian Stuani who found the net 21 times last season. The Uruguay international who is representing his country at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finished fifth in the La Liga top scorers chart.
The tournament's first match will be held between Kerala and Melbourne City, who had a third place finish in the A-League.
La Liga India manager Jose Cachaza said in a statement: "We promised La Liga fans in India that one day we'd bring a top side to the country, and we've delivered on that. This is a special moment for a sports mad country, and we are delighted that Girona FC have decided to make this historic trip.
"In the last 12 months, we have had 20,000 fans attend an el Clasico public viewing in Delhi; we have been able to bring to India La Liga ambassadors such as Gaizka Mendieta and Gianlucca Zambrotta. We have so much more to announce for our fans in India in the coming weeks. This is just the start."
Girona club President Delfí Geli said: "It is an honour for our club to participate in this tournament in India. For Girona FC it will be a special experience as it will be the first time our team has played away from Europe since its foundation 88 years ago.
"We are looking forward to starting the tournament and showing the football that we have displayed in La Liga to the Indian football fans and the world."
La Liga Ambassador Fernando Morientes, who was present on the occasion, said: "It's a real privilege for me to be in India again. I was here in September 2016 when La Liga first started their operations, and today is a special day when we can bring one of our teams to India for the fans to enjoy in person.
"It will be a special moment when Girona FC run out at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. I look forward to seeing the fans showing their support in numbers, and the announcement goes to show the interest in La Liga across India."
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Headmaster in J'khand's Garhwa suspended for dancing with students on 'vulgar' song
Garhwa (PTI): A school headmaster in Jharkhand's Garhwa district was suspended and departmental proceedings initiated against two assistant teachers for allegedly dancing with students on a "vulgar" song, an official said on Saturday.
The action came after a purported dance video went viral on social media, in which the headmaster and two assistant teachers are seen dancing with students, including girls of class 8, during a farewell function.
The incident happened at an upgraded middle school, Sohbaria, in Meral block of the district on March 1.
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Garhwa district administration took cognisance of the video and initiated a probe, the official said.
District Education Officer Kaiser Raza said, "Prima facie, the allegations were found serious. Based on it, the school's headmaster in charge, Kundan Kumar Ranjan, has been suspended with immediate effect under the Jharkhand government service rules 2016."
During the suspension period, his headquarters has been designated as the regional education office, Garhwa, and he is required to register his biometric attendance at the headquarters, according to a press release issued by the Garhwa education department.
In this case, the conduct of assistant teachers Purushottam Pandit and Subeshwar Ram has also been deemed inappropriate.
The District Education Officer has directed for departmental action against them under the Jharkhand Assistant Teacher Service Conditions Rules, 2021, the release added.
Raza said maintaining discipline, morality, and the dignity of the educational environment in schools is a top priority, and such incidents will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
