MANOHAR BANGERA – COO

Mr. Manohar Bangera has completed his BA in Economics from the University of Mumbai in 1980. Later he pursued an LLB from the University of Mumbai and then pursued an M.B.A - Marketing from the University of Mumbai. Mr. Bangera has held various positions at Kitchen Appliances India Ltd. ( A Videocon Group Co.) Vice President – Mktg. & Sales: July’07 – Aug’ 08. General Manager – Mktg. & Sales: June’04 – July’07. Dy. General Manager – Mktg. & Sales: Oct’ 2000 – May’04. Territory of Operations: All India.

Mr. Bangera is the Secretary of the Mumbai Judo Association, a Member of Maharashtra Judo Association, Coach of the Maharashtra & Mumbai Police, and Coach of the National Academy of Customs, Excise & Narcotics. He is also the Chairman of the Technical Council of Judo Federation of India. M.r Bangera has 30 years of experience in this field as a player, coach & administrator holding a 7th Degree Black Belt of the Judo Federation of India and the International Judo Federation. He has been named National Champion three times and twice awarded the Most Scientific Judo Player award in a National Championship. He has numerous State & National championships.

VIRAAF POCHA - EXECUTIVE VP PRODUCTIONS

Viraaf Pocha is the Director of Landmark Events.  A division of  Landmark Productions (P) Ltd.

Landmark Productions is an Event Services firm specialising in managing Live events staged for Television.   The Firm understands the unique characteristics of both mediums - Live Events & Ground Television Events. Viraaf’s career in the Events Business was launched in the 1980’s during the Festivals of Russia and France in the city of Mumbai. A Theatre professional, Viraaf was handpicked by the Joint Government teams to manage various events that were staged around the city.

From then on Viraaf has gone on to manage a range of events over the next 25 years, in various capacities.

Some Highlights.

- Femina Miss India & Film Fare awards for a ten year period
- TV Game Show – Kricket with a K.
- Technical productions for numerous American Rock Tours incl. Bon Jovi, Europe etc.
- Ground Production – Screen Awards.
- Technical Director – TV’s Pop Time.
- Consulted on a series of Game Shows on TV.

Viraaf considers himself lucky to have formalised his practical skills with Technical Education in various TV studios in Washington DC, New York, London and Singapore and has had an opportunity to work in a number of countries and all the larger cities in India.

CAWAS BILLIMORIA - TECHNICAL ASSISTANT

"Mr Cawas Billimoria has completed his Bachelors of Commerce. Presently Director of Physical Education at the Dhirubhai Ambani International School since May 2003. Mr Cawas Billimoria has worked as, Manager Accounts with Tata Iron & Steel Company Limited from December 1986 to April 2003. Mr Cawas Billimoria is Winner of the prestigious Arjuna Award for being an out-standing Sportsperson for the years 1991 - 1993. Winner of the Shiv Chatrapati Award in the year 1987. Tata’s Best Sportsman of the Year in 1988. Sydenham College - Best Sportsman of the year in 1983.Mr Billimoria is on the Selection Committee for the Rajeev Gandhi Khel Award, Arjuna Awards and the Dhronacharya Awards for outstanding Sports persons for the year 2003. Government Observer for Judo since 2000. 3 times Gold Medalist in the Open Category at the South Asian Judo Tournament in March, 1987, September, 1989 and December 1993 Silver Medalist in the Commonwealth Judo Tournament at Cardiff, Wales in April, 1992. Participated in the Olympic Games at Barcelona, Spain in August 1992. Mr Cawas Billimoria is also qualified as a National Referee at New Delhi, in 1985, Continental `A’ Grade Referee at New Delhi, 1992 and International Referee at Taipie, in 2005."

VIRENDRA P. BHANDARKAR - DIRECTOR

Virendra P. Bhandarkar is the assistant director of the Sports Authority of India for the State of Maharashtra and is the top Personality in the government sports in the state of Maharashtra which constitutes of over 120,000 athletes. The State of Maharashtra is the third most populous state in India with a population which is 1/3 the size of the entire United States of America. The Sports Authority of India is a body set up by the Government of India. It was created in 1984 to help promote sport throughout the country. Presently, it has seven regional centers at Bangalore, Gandhinagar, Kolkata, Sonepat, Delhi, Mumbai and Imphal and two sub-centers at Guwahati and Aurangabad.

Virendra was also an international handball player from 1976-1990. He was honored with the Shiv Chhtrapati Award in the year 1984 by the Maharashtra government for the highest excellence in sports. He represented the Indian Handball team in various international Tournaments including Asian Games - 1982 and the Asian Championships. He also was captain of the Indian Handball Team from 1986 to 1992. Virendra represented Maharashtra, Steel Plant Sports Board and Madhya Pradesh in various National level tournaments while being the only Indian player to be awarded as a best player in the International tournament held at Russia in the year 1989.

PRESENT ASSIGNMENTS

- Assistant Director, Sports Authority of India, STC Kandivali, Mumbai
- Assistant Director, Sports Authority of India, WTC Aurangabad
- Assistant Director (Coordinator) Sports Authority of India, STC, Kandivali Extn. Centre Balewadi Sports
  Complex, Pune.

PRATEEK KHANNA - DIRECTOR

Mr. Prateek Khanna currently holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from Pune University and is actively pursuing his MBA from the before mentioned Pune University. 

 

Mr. Khanna has previously worked as the President of India Operations for Moveable Cubicle and also has held the designation of Chief Operating Officer - India & Chief Processing Office - India at Moveable Cubicle.

YATISH BANGERA - DIRECTOR

Mr. Yatish Bangera has received a Bachelors of Commerce from the University of Mumbai and later pursued a Masters of Commerce from the University of Mumbai and completed his Diploma in Business Management from the British Institute. Mr Bangera is a Technical Commission member with the Sports Committee of the Judo Federation of India, Treasurer of the Mumbai Judo Association. Yatish holds a 7th Degree Black Belt from the Judo Federation of India and the International Judo Federation. He has a National Champion three times, and a State Champion numerous times. He is currently a coach to the Maharashtra Police & Mumbai Police, coach to the National Academy of Customs , Excise & Narcotics. Yatish is also an international referee. He has also been to the World Judo Championship, 2001, in Korea; World Sumo Championship, 2004, in Tokyo Japan; Asian Judo Championship, 2000, in Hong Kong.

ADIL KHAN - BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Mr Adil Khan, science graduate from University of Pune, has worked in BPO industry for 5 years. Prior to joining EFLI, was working with Moveable Cubicle, Inc as sales representative and then appointed as head of customer service and also looked after accounts receivables.

SHAILESH DEVRUKHKAR - MANAGING COACH

Mr Shailesh Devrukhkar has completed his Higher Secondary from Maharashtra board. Mr Devrukhar has passed level 1 Coaching & Referring and Pass Coach Educator from International Rugby Board. He is an international Rugby player, National Level Judo & Volleyball player. Mr Devrukhar is Asst. Coach of the Indian National Rugby Team. He is the head coach of M.S.P Police Team. He also coaches Judo and volleyball for last 15 years.

SANJIV SARAN MEHRA - EXECUTIVE VP CORPORATE ALLIANCES

Sanjiv Saran Mehra studied in some of India's leading schools, Cathedral and John Connon High School, Mumbai and The Lawrence School Sanawar, Simla Hills.  He graduated in B.Com honors from the Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai(India's oldest Commerce College) in 1983 and completed his Masters in Management Studies (MMS) in 1985 specializing in Marketing.  Mr. Saran Mehra worked for the Investment Bank, Lazards India for a period of 5 1/2 years and subsequently started Saran Presents Private Limited, a Sports Marketing and Management Company under the brand name Saran Sports.  Saran Sports are pioneers in India Corporate Sports and specialize in Hunts and development of Sports at the grassroots level.

Sanjiv Saran Mehra is registered in the Limca Book of Records for running the longest and largest corporate sports leagues.

SANDEEP CHAUDHRI - PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Mr Chaudhari has done his bachelors in Physiotherapy from University of Mumbai and has completed his M.I.A.P from University of Mumbai. He represents State Medical University team for cricket, zonal level kho - kho. Associated with Common Wealth & Asian Games National Rugby team as physiotherapist. Mr Chaudhari is associated with all sports as their physiotherapist.

ERUCH PATEL - EXECUTIVE VP MERCHANDISE RETAIL AND DISTRIBUTION

Eruch Patel has a MBA (Finance) from NMIMS and has more than a decade and half of enriching professional experience heading various service functions within Novartis a leading Global Pharma Company. Since a decade managing the family sports business. A brief profile of the sports store is attached.
Also a Director in a Logistics company that provides distribution and 3PL services.

KEVIN DIEBALL
Kevin Dieball has enjoyed his most recent 15 years successfully investing, financing and building several start-up and early stage companies to include: Studio One Media, Que Pasa.com, Summit Commercial Finance and Awaken Nutrition. He is a skilled expert at preparing and presenting such companies to the public marketplace.

Mr. Dieball is co-founder of Quepasa Corporation, a social media technology company focused that caters to Latin audiences worldwide. Quepasa trades on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol QPSA.

Mr.Dieball is both an investor and directs the advisory board of Summit Commercial Finance, a national leader in the equipment and leasing industry. In 2007, and 2008 Summit Commercial Finance was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the "5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies". 

Mr.Dieball was a key figure in the successful initial public offering of the Orlando Predators Entertainment (the first ever publicly traded arena football team) at which time was only the third professional sports team publicly traded.

Mr. Dieball brings 25 years of successful partnership and financial expertise to the EFLI financial network. He will orchestrate and operate the financial partners in exploration and enactment of all fundraising and syndicate management.

STEVE MANDELL - DIRECTOR/CORPORATE ATTORNEY

Steve Mandell is an Entertainment Attorney that specializes in representation, licensing and brand development.  Steve has worked with prominent individuals in the areas of Sports, Television, Radio and Publishing and other high profile personalities in brand development, marketing and business development.  Steve has been associated with major high profile brands and product development for retail distribution and develops branded programs with major corporate endorsement and sponsorships.  Steve will bring his expertise to the EFLI team for all areas of Talent, Branding and Marketing and to further pursue the growth of the licensing of the EFLI Brand.

TOM O’GRADY - DIRECTOR/VP MARKETING

Tom O'Grady is considered an industry expert in the field of global sports branded entertainment.  Tom founded Gameplan Creative in 2003 and for the past eight years has collaborated with numerous sports league and team properties helping to build their brands to drive existing and create new revenue streams. Before founding Gameplan, Tom served as NBA’s first Creative Director under the supervision of NBA Commissioner David J. Stern. Tom was responsible for creative direction for League marketing, advertising and branding during the NBA’s global explosion era beginning in 1990. Tom built the 25-person in-house NBA Creative Services group that spearheaded long-range branding and marketing direction and oversaw execution of all NBA Special Event initiatives. 

In addition to overseeing the business activities for Gameplan Creative Tom also consultants with the MLS Chicago Fire Soccer Club as a Executive Producer, Match Presentation. Previously Tom consulted with the NHL Chicago Blackhawks and was the Executive Producer during the teams' 2010 Stanley Cup Championship season

RON JAWORSKI - FOUNDER/OWNER

Ron Jaworski is a former American football quarterback and currently an NFL analyst on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. He is also CEO of Ron Jaworski Golf Management, Inc., based out of Blackwood, New Jersey, and manages golf courses in southern New Jersey, northeast Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. He also owns part interest in the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League.

PHILIP BROMILEY - DIRECTOR

Philip Bromiley (Ph.D., Carnegie-Mellon University) is a Dean’s Professor in Strategic Management at the Paul Merage School of Business at the University of California, Irvine. Previously he held the Curtis L. Carlson Chair in Strategic Management and chaired the Department of Strategic Management & Organization at the University of Minnesota. He has published two books and over 60 journal articles and book chapters. A leader in strategic thinking, he has published scholarly articles on topics that include capital investment, trust in organizations, financial misrepresentation, risk in commercial lending, the benefits from corporate growth, strategic change, and government budgeting, but is best known for his work on strategic risk taking.

He currently serves on the boards of Strategic Management Journal, Journal of Management Studies, and Journal of Strategy and Management. Previously, he served on the editorial boards of Academy Management Journal, Organization Science, Strategic Organization, and the Journal of Management and as associate editor for Management Science. His current research examines strategic decision making, managerial time horizons and the behavioral foundations of strategic management research.

RICHARD WHELAN - CEO/PRESIDENT

Prior to working as CEO of The Elite Football League of India Inc., Mr. Whelan founded and worked as CEO of Moveable Cubicle Inc. Mr. Whelan has been involved in many start-up or early stage private companies many of which went on to become publicly traded. Moveable Cubicle has been working with its primary business for the past 7 years from Pune, India. While in India, Mr. Whelan had the opportunity to develop business relationships in both Mumbai and Pune, India.

As an example of one of Mr. Whelan’s projects, Mr. Whelan was responsible for assembling investors to purchase a professional Arena Football Team, The Orlando Predators in 1997 which that same year completed an initial public stock offering.

JANICE FOREMAN - DIRECTOR/VP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Janice Foreman has worked as a stock broker and investment banker since 1989. She has held positions with companies such as First Chicago Bank and Gruntal Financial. Janice has directly worked on the business development side for a number private companies with their intention and focus to complete an initial public stock offering.

One of Janice’s successes includes, but is not limited to, The Orlando Predator’s Entertainment Inc. which was at the time (1997) only the third professional sport team (an Arena Football Team) to ever successfully complete an initial public stock offering in the United States.

KEITH FREDRIKSEN - EXECUTIVE VP

President of design firm which specializes in corporate identity development, business strategy and marketing materials for Micro-cap companies. Keith Fredriksen’s marketing materials have helped raise over $175 million for initial public offerings. The company produces: HD movies, original music, corporate identity marks, corporate and product brochures, 3-D packaging and annual reports.

RICHARD SCHEER - VP OF STRATEGIC ALLIANCES

For 20 years, Richard owned Scheer's Incorporated a Insurance brokerage based in Westmont, IL. His responsibilities were production based and helped grow revenues from 5 million in 2003 to 25 Million in 2008.  He sold the business to Hub International in Feburary 2008 and is still actively engaged as VP of sales.  Mr. Scheer has also been involved with the Arena Football League since 1998, when he became minority owner of the Orlando Predators.  He currently is co-majority owner/managing director of the Arena Football Leagues, Chicago Rush. With Mike Ditka as his partner, the Rush have become the premier team in all of Arena Football.

Richard graduated from Wentworth Military Academy in 1982 with an associates degree and when onto the University of Arkansas where he completed he's studies with a BA in finance and insurance.

SUNDAY WHELAN - CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Sunday Whelan has worked as a marketing consultant in branding and positioning startup enterprises to help attract capital and attention for the past 22 years. Ms. Whelan graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Counseling.

WILLIAM G. ZELLER - DIRECTOR

Mr. Zeller served a six year term in the U.S. Navy. In 1992 Mr. Zeller began his career as a Series 7 licensed broker after working for nearly 30 years in sales and sales managment for several International-Fortune 500 Companies such as W.R. Grace and Klockner-Bartelt.

Mr. Zeller became a Director of the investment banking firm Kensington Securities and later became a Director and owner of Joseph Carl Securities and SkyBanc Securities between the years 2000 and 2005.

BRANDON O'NEIL CHILLAR - DIRECTOR/OWNER

Brandon was born October 21, 1982 in Los Angeles, California and is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football for UCLA. He is the third player of Indian-American descent to play in the NFL, after Bobby Singh and Sanjay Beach. He also played for the Green Bay Packers.

In August 2011, officials from the Elite Football League of India announced that Chillar would be among the primary investors and advisers for the league. Other prominent American backers include former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka, former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski, and former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin.

ROBERT CLAWSON - DIRECTOR OF CAPITAL FORMATION

Mr. Clawson's background spans financial markets, capital markets and corporate structuring to entrepreneurial endeavors. During his tenure in the financial arena he was instrumental in helping growth companies raise and deploy capital through innovative structuring methods as well as adding value through business development. He also has been involved in fund management focusing in the real estate value chain and also bridge loans to growth companies. He currently resides in Southern California with his wife and 3 children.

MIKE DITKA – FOUNDER/OWNER

Mike Ditka (Coach) is a former American football NFL player, television commentator, and coach. Ditka coached the Chicago Bears for 11 years and New Orleans Saints for three years. Ditka and Tom Flores are the only two people to win Super Bowls as a player, an assistant coach, and a head coach. Ditka was the only individual to participate in both of the last two Chicago Bears' championships, as a player in 1963 and as head coach in 1985.

 

He is currently a commentator on ESPN's NFL Live, ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown, and CBS Radio-Westwood One's Monday Night Football pregame show. In the spring of 2007 Ditka worked alongside X Management and Geneva Hospitality to form Mike Ditka Resorts currently consisting of two resorts in the Orlando, Florida area. Ditka owns a chain of restaurants named, "Ditka's," which has two locations in Illinois and one in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

MIKE IRVIN – FOUNDER/OWNER

Michael Irvin is a former American football player for the Dallas Cowboys, and actor. He is also a former broadcaster for ESPN's NFL Countdown and currently an analyst for the NFL Network since 2009. He played college football at the University of Miami. In 2007, he was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Michael Irvin was a co-star in the 2005 remake of The Longest Yard, starring Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. Irvin will also be guest starring in Sandler's future film Jack and Jill which is set to be released on November 11, 2011. He also was one of the "Pros" on an episode of Pros vs. Joes, which puts former pro athletes against average people. He was the host of 4th and Long, a football-themed reality series which aired on Spike TV. The winner, Jesse Holley earned a spot at the Dallas Cowboys' training camp. He competed in season 9 of Dancing with the Stars. Irvin was the 9th contestant to be eliminated. Irvin also appeared in a 2009 episode of Burn Notice, titled "Hot Spot," playing a football coach for disadvantaged kids, who recruits the main characters to help one of his players out.

Irvin also hosts a radio show on Miami's WQAM with Kevin Kiley from Noon to 3pm. In August 2011, officials from the Elite Football League of India announced that Irvin would be among the primary investors and advisers for the league.

DOUG PLANK

Doug Plank is a former American-football safety and coach in the National Football League. Currently, he is the head coach of the Philadelphia Soul in the Arena Football League. He spent his entire eight-year NFL playing career with the Chicago Bears. Wearing the number 46, for the Bears, his hard hitting and aggressive style of play was immortalized when Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan created the “46 Defense” in his honor. To this day, the “46 defense” is still looked upon as the most innovative defense in the past 30 years.

 

In 2001, Plank began his coaching career as a defensive coordinator in the Arena Football League for 3 seasons under former Dallas QB Danny White. In those 3 seasons, the Arizona Rattlers played in 3 consecutive Arena Bowls. In 2004, Plank was hired by Arthur Blank to be head coach of the Georgia Force, an Arena Football team he owned in addition to the Atlanta Falcons. Plank was named the AFL's Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2007 as he led Georgia to the playoffs each year and Arena Bowl XIX in his first year at the helm in 2005. In Plank's first four years as an AFL head coach, he won more games in that period than any other coach in the history of the Arena League

 

In 2008, he was a seasonal assistant on the Atlanta Falcons staff. The Falcons played in the first round of the NFL playoffs. In 2009 he served as the assistant defensive backfield coach for the New York Jets under head coach Rex Ryan, the son of Plank's former defensive coordinator, Buddy Ryan. The 2009 Jets defense led the NFL in fewest total yards allowed, fewest points allowed, and fewest TD passes allowed. The Jets played in the AFC championship game versus the Colts. In 2010, Plank became a football program assistant at Ohio State. The Buckeyes earned a share of the Big 10 title with an 11-1 record and beat Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl.

 

After football, Plank became a franchisee of Burger King Corporation operating multiple restaurants in various states In 1995 Plank began working as a football analyst and has done work for Fox Sports, Arizona Cardinals, Arizona State Sun Devils, University of Arizona Wildcats, Arizona Rattlers, Sports USA Radio and Westwood One.

VENKATESH MOVVA M.D - MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Dr. Movva is fellowship trained and Board certified in Sports Medicine and Pain management and incorporates his unique training into a minimally invasive interventional surgical and non-surgical approach in his practice providing various cutting edge treatments. Dr. Movva was residency trained at Northwestern University, in Chicago, Illinois and Sports medicine fellowship trained with the University of Oklahoma.

Over the last 10 years in practice, (Pain and Sports Center, Tulsa) he has worked with various professional athletes. He is actively involved in the field of regenerative medicine involving the use of Stem-cells, PRP for musculoskeletal regeneration of various sports related and non-sports conditions. He has served as a team physician for Tulsa University, Drillers professional baseball team and for several pro athletes. He is also an owner of the semi-pro 'Oklahoma Thunder' football team and also serves their athletes.

Dr. Movva considers working with EFLI as a great opportunity to bring in the awareness and advancements in the field of Sports Medicine to India and its neighboring countries.