NEW DELHI: All India Football Federation president Praful Patel has confirmed that India will be officially bidding to host the AFC Asian Cup in 2027. India had earlier expressed their interest to host the tournament earlier this year.
This was among the matters raised at an executive committee meeting chaired by Patel and held via video conferencing on Thursday.
Additionally, the AIFF League Committee is considering organising an Under-20 League next season.
One factor that has come into play for this decision is that the AIFF has concluded that it will not be possible to host the Hero Youth Leagues this season due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The boys who would have played U-18 league this year will then get the opportunity to showcase their performance in the U-20 League.
Briefing the committee, CEO, Leagues, Sunando Dhar, stated: “There were quite a few lessons for us during the Hero I-League Qualifiers which will help us immensely when we go on to conduct the Hero I-League 2020-21 later in the season. I need to thank the IFA, Mr Joydeep Mukherjee (secretary, IFA), Mr Subrata Dutta and the government of West Bengal for their stupendous support.”
The committee also approved the distribution of the COVID Solidarity Fund to the state FAs to support their activities.
Meanwhile, the AIFF will hold its virtual AGM on December 21.
