THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

India camp to commence on Wednesday

Indian national team players celebrating

The Indian national team will kick-off its preparations for the 2012 Nehru Cup at the Jaypee Greens Atlantis, Greater Noida on Wednesday (August 1).

The 37 India probables will sweat it our for the first under the supervision of new coach Wim Koevermans and the expectations are high ahead of the camp in Greater Noida.

Talking about the Jaypee Greens Atlantis, AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das told: “The All India Football Federation has never compromised when it comes to providing facilities to its footballers.”

National coach Wim Koevermans had inspected the facilities himself and as the campus provides excellent facilities which are conducive for good football, we felt it best to organise our camp in India’s finest international standards sporting arena at Jaypee Greens Greater Noida,” Das continued.

“We are also looking at a long term association with them for future national team camps,” he added.

India coach Wim Koevermans was also satisfied with the selection of the venue. “The facilities at Jaypee Greens are very good,” the Dutchman stated. Koevermans will welcome the India probables on the Jaypee Greens on Wednesday at 17.00 IST (13.30 CET / 12.30 GMT) for the first training session.

The five-nation 2012 Nehru Cup is scheduled to take place in New Delhi from August 22 to September 2. African giants Cameroon have confirmed their participation yesterday [+ read more], while Kenya, Syria and the Maldives are expected to complete the line-up.

But there are some contradictions about Kenya’s participation, as the Jamaican Football Federation officially announced a friendly match against the African nation in East Rutherford (NJ), USA on August 25. So Indian football fans could see a Kenyan B or junior national team at the Nehru Cup instead of the senior national team.

What are your expectations ahead of the 2012 Nehru Cup? Discuss with me and other football fans on the Indian team, new coach Wim Koevermans and the other participating nations at www.facebook.com/cpd81!