BMFC will be able to play National Football League (NFL) only after two seasons if things work out their way as qualification requires going through second division NFL.

Jamshed Nassiri, the Iranian coach of BMFC, may not be able to field the best eleven. As the club's managing director Krishnendu Sen told The Indian Express, "Inter-state transfer of some Punjab players has still not been cleared by the All Indian Football Federation and also the international transfer of a Nigerian is in process. But we are accepting the inter-state transfers till tomorrow morning. If it comes, we field the best eleven."

The club has so far recruited 31 players. Sanjib Sheikh, the star striker from Tata Football Academy (TFA), is definite to make his debut in the Super Division. The otherplayers likely to play are: Arvind Kumar (former JCT custodian), James Singh (younger brother of former international Gunabir Singh), Abdul Khalique (speedy striker from Mohun Bagan), Gurinder Pal Singh (international mid-fielder from Churchill Brothers), Nigerian Emeka Achilefu and right back Manjinder Singh.

Mahindras prepare to leave behind the sorrows of the relegation from National Football League (NFL). The team that finished third last year have roped in some new players for this season and Hakkim, the new coach who replaced Dereyck de Sousa, is optimistic about his team's chances.

"We are going to play positive right from the inaugural match and I hope we perform well," said the coach from Hyderabad. Manjit Singh (East Bengal), PJ Jose (Air-India), Shamsi Raja (East Bengal) and Harish Sharma (Churchill) are the among the new players who will comprise the strike force. In the mid-field, only one new player has joined them, Mohammad Shakeel (Hyderabad). Naushad Musa (East Bengal) is still recoveringfrom injury.

Aliuddin (Hydrabad), AB Shahi (Dempo), Rajesh Pandey (Indian Bank) and Sayeed Hussain (Hydrabad) will add to its strength. Either Salim Ansari (Dempo) or Mark Mascarenas (ITI), the two new 'keepers, will play tomorrow.

MUMBAI'S FIRST PROFESSIONAL CLUB FORMALLY LAUNCHED

The BMFC was formally launched at the Cooperage last evening by sponsors Gulf Oil Ltd.

Thirty one players recruited by BMFC, including a host of NFL stars, introduced themselves at a media conference organised by promoters Procam Sports.

Vivek Singh of Procam informed newsmen that sponsorship cover of Rs 50 lakh for the first year will include a performance-based incentive scheme. Sponsorship extends over a period of five years, he added.

BMFC are coached by the legendary Iranian, Jamshed Nassiri, who thrilled fans all over the country in the Mohameddan Sporting and East Bengal colours. The club will make its debut against Mahindras on Monday while kicking off this season's Western India Football Association(WIFA) Super Division League.

Gulf Oil, in the meantime, continue sponsoring the WIFA Super, Senior and First Division leagues. It extends its patronage to Trade Indian Football Club, now promoted to the First Division. The club will now play as Gulf Lubricants Football Club.

The BMFC list of players: Arvind Kumar, Gumpe Rime, Amit Sinha Roy, Aloke Das, Musa Aliu, Manjinder Singh, Onyeka Okafor, Rehmatulla Khan, Sanjay Dayal, Harsharanjit Singh, Salim Pathan, Abhay Kumar, Suman Dayal, Jaspreet Singh, Kashif Jamal, Seriki Abdulateef, James Singh, Gurinder Pal Singh, Raju Datta, Suresh Singh, Joy Singh, Abdul Khalique, Emeka Achilefu, Sanjib Sheikh, Herbert Philip, Uday Konar, Tausif Jamal, Mohammed Nazir, Manas Thapa, Aftab Ashraf, Adil Ansari. Coach: Jamshed Nassiri.