By IANS
Margao : The national camp for the first round qualifiers of the 2010 football World Cup in South Africa started here Thursday with the Dempo players being notable absentees.
Dempo midfielders Climax Lawrence, Clifford Miranda, defenders Mahesh Gawli and Sameer Naik, who form the core of the Indian team didn’t report for the camp at the Fatorda Stadium.
“We have been asked not to report for the camp until our coach gives us a letter,” a Dempo player told IANS on the condition of anonymity.
Dempo coach Armando Colaco, who is also the secretary of the club, had said earlier that he wouldn’t release the players for the national camp because the clubs suffer due to the absence of the players.
The Indian team under chief coach Bob Houghton will camp here till Monday and will leave for Dubai the next day for their overseas camp.
The Indian team will also play some practice matches in Dubai before their first round qualifier match against Lebanon Oct. 8 in Beirut. India will host the west Asian country in the return leg in Chennai Oct. 28.
Mahindra United players also didn’t report as they are leaving for Lebanon, Saturday to play the return leg of their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup quarterfinal against Al Nejmeh in Beirut Wednesday. Six Mahindra players will join the national team from Beirut.
East Bengal goalkeeper Subrata Paul also failed to report for the national camp due to a personal problem.