Ba Football president Praneel Dayal has delivered an honest assessment of the district’s 2025 season, admitting it fell short of Ba’s proud standards, while outlining a major rebuild aimed at returning trophies to Govind Park.
Dayal said success at Ba has always been measured by championships, not near misses.
“If we are being honest and looking at the trophy cabinet, this season was not successful.
“In Ba, we don’t celebrate good tries or runner-up medals we celebrate championships. By those standards, we fell short,” Dayal said.
Dayal, who took office in June 2025, said the disappointing results have only strengthened his resolve to overhaul the association from the ground up. He revealed that since assuming the role, he has been in the office every day, focused on rebuilding Ba Football’s foundations.
“My administration isn’t here to just maintain the status quo, we are here to overhaul the entire association. We are going straight into the hard business of fixing our foundations. My goal is a complete top-to-bottom restructure, improving football from the grassroots clinics all the way up to the Premier team,” he said.
According to Dayal, the work being done now may not yet reflect in silverware, but it is necessary to ensure long-term success.
“We are laying the groundwork now so that the trophies start coming back to where they belong,” he added.
Despite the on-field struggles, Dayal believes one of the biggest achievements of the season has been restoring belief among the Ba faithful. He said when he first walked into the office, there was uncertainty among fans, officials and the wider football community.
“The biggest achievement is that the people of Ba now have belief in my administration.
“When I walked into this office in June, there was a lot of uncertainty, but I have felt the fans’ backing and belief grow every single day.”
Hosting the Inter-District Championship at Govind Park as part of Ba Football’s 90th anniversary celebrations was a major highlight for the district. While the coveted trophy did not remain in Ba, Dayal said the event was a powerful moment for the community.
“Having the IDC at Govind Park for our 90th Anniversary was a massive emotional win for the community, even if the trophy didn’t stay here,” he said.
Looking ahead, Dayal said his next challenge is to turn that renewed belief into tangible results.
“I have the fans’ support; now it’s my turn to work with the officials and deliver the results and trophies they deserve.”
A key part of Ba’s rebuild is the move towards a modern, professional football structure. Dayal confirmed the appointment of Roderick Singh as Director of Football, a role designed to oversee the game across the entire Ba district.
“He isn’t just focused on the Premier team; his job is to go out and support our grassroots programs just as much as the senior squad.
“The coaching panel’s job is to get the boys prepared and deliver the kind of performance the people of Ba can be proud of.”
While acknowledging that results have yet to follow, Dayal said the district is confident it is on the right path.
“We are not there yet as the trophy cabinet shows but we are confident, we are on the right track,” he said, adding that Ba is the first district to move towards a full-time, professional technical structure.
Another major focus has been reconnecting Ba’s rich history with its present. Dayal stressed that former players and legends are being actively involved in the current setup.
“This is the people’s team, and our legends are a vital part of the setup,” he said.
“We aren’t just talking about history; we are putting that experience to work on the field.”
Former Ba and national team players have been brought in to strengthen key areas, including goalkeeping, defence and attack, with Dayal confirming that the doors remain open for all Ba legends to contribute.
Whether through technical coaching or mentoring, Dayal said passing on the famous “Men in Black” DNA is crucial for the next generation.
In closing, Dayal called on fans to continue standing behind the team and believe in the club’s slogan, #StrongerTogether.
“I haven’t taken a single day off since coming into office in June.
“I am in the office every day because I will continue to strive for Ba Football and nothing else. Please understand that I also hurt when Ba loses, I feel that pain just as much as you do.”
“My main aim is to get the trophies back in Ba, and I won’t rest until the cabinet is full again.”
