by NR INDRAN / INT

Pune: Elite Football League of India, India’s first professional American-style football league, is training its coaches and players with highly experienced football experts from the United States. Pune recently welcomedDoug Plank, a former top player from the National Football League’s Chicago Bears, and six other American coaches to educate the coaches and players from eight EFLI teams.

After his 5-week training session at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune, Doug Plank described his experience as being enlightening and “very rewarding”.

Commenting on the talent of the players, Doug Plank said, “Since there are very few Indian athletes playing football in America, I was pleasantly surprised at the size and stature the Indian players currently on EFLI team rosters. There is an interesting mix of players from urban and rural areas, and their physique suits the very nature of American Football. Our priorities now are to secure the biggest and strongest players and to continue to improve their strength and agility through training and nutrition. They are quick learners and I’ve seen an impressive development during my stay.”

Expressing his thoughts on why this league will be a success in India, Doug Plank added: “If the Indian populace can understand rugby and soccer, they can definitely understand(American) football. If I were an Indian, I’d love to watch a foreign game that is coached by Indians and played by Indians. I am certain that Indian sports lovers will enjoy such a fast-moving game like other popular sports here.”

Doug Plank is famous in the Unites States for his celebrated collegiate and professional football career. His rugged playing style revolutionized modern NFL defenses, and is nowreferred to as a “46-Defense”, named after his player number. Doug Plank easily transitioned from being a player to a highly successful head coach for the Arena Football League, as well as an accomplished NCAA football radio and television broadcaster and business owner.

Adding his thoughts on the format of the game, he said, “We plan to organize exhibition matches before west art the official season so that Indian people become more familiar with the format of the game.”

Speaking about this development, Mr. Richard Whelan, CEO, EFLI said, “I’m thankful to receive support from some of the biggest names from the NFL like Doug Plank and BrandonChillar. Their invaluable contribution will help EFLI give India’s sports fans a chance to witness some amazing games. This only solidifies our dream to make the coaches and players strong enough to compete at the international arena of NFL one day.”

The Elite Football League of India is India’s first professional American football league, as recognized by the Government of India and the Sports Authority of India. Featuring teams from India and Sri Lanka, the EFLI is played and staffed with Indian players and coaches, and the inaugural season will begin in November2012. More information about the EFLI and its teams is available at www.efli.com.

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