India head coach Stimac responds to astrologer controversy, says ‘time has come to put all cards on table’
The Hindu
India coach Igor Stimac hints at major revelations, reaffirms dream of transforming India into footballing nation. He was linked to controversy surrounding AIFF hiring astrologer for predictions on team selection. Stimac: "Target or honest fighter for betterment of Indian football? Time to put all cards on table & see who really cares about football in this country." Dream of making India a football nation still alive.
In the eye of the storm for his alleged correspondence with an astrologer during the Asian Cup Qualifiers, India coach Igor Stimac on Tuesday hinted at major revelations ahead and reaffirmed his dream of transforming the country into a footballing nation.
The controversy has once again cast a shadow over Indian football and this time the national men's team coach is being linked to it.
"Target or honest fighter for the betterment of Indian football? The time is coming to put all cards on the table and see how much and who really cares about football in this country," Stimac posted on X (formerly Twitter).
"Give it a thought before making up your judgment and thanks once again for your support. My dream of making India a football nation is still alive," he added.
That the AIFF had hired an astrologer for predictions on the Indian football team, for an estimated cost of ₹16 lakh, was reported by PTI earlier.
As per media reports, Stimac was directly in touch with the astrologer to seek his opinion on the team selection during the Asian Cup Qualifiers.
Asian Games champion Avinash Sable opened his season in the 3000m steeple chase with a silver in the Portland Track Festival, a World Athletics Continental Tour bronze event, in Oregon on Saturday. He clocked 8:21.85s. Asian champion Parul Chaudhary took the bronze in the women’s 3000m steeple chase in a season-best 9:31.38s. Former Asian bronze medallist Sanjivani Jadhav struck gold in the women’s 10,000m in 32:22.77s, a time which was a second off her personal best, while Seema was sixth in 32:55.91s.