NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation held a meeting with the representatives of the Hero I-League clubs at Football House here.
In the meeting, chaired by AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, there was a discussion with the club officials on the new mantra and philosophy of the I-League and Indian football in general. Chaubey said that the current management in the AIFF is aiming for a growth of 500 per cent in Indian Football, both from the qualitative and commercial aspects of the game.
There was also a discussion with the clubs on the AIFF-club partnership, key strategic areas of the game, players development pathway, the league pyramid, the possible areas for the revenue growth of Indian football, the way forward for the increase of commercial value and how Indian football could be converted into a talent hub of world football.
Present in the meeting were AIFF secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran, deputy secretary general Sunando Dhar and senior officials from Gokulam Kerala FC, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Sreenidi Deccan FC, Churchill Brothers FC Goa, RoundGlass Punjab FC, Rajasthan United FC, NEROCA FC, Aizawl FC and TRAU FC.
While addressing the I-League clubs, Chaubey said, “Our focus is the development of the clubs and the AIFF is with the clubs and will support them to the best possible extent.”
The representatives of the I-League clubs agreed to the suggestion that efforts should be made to include more number of Indian players in tournaments across the country.
Talking on the television coverage of the league, Chaubey said that roping in of Eurosport and Doordarshan Sports has ensured a reach of minimum 2.5 crore households on matchdays. “It is our duty to improve upon the overall conditions and facilities in the Hero I-League venues, including pitch and light settings. The quality should not be compromised and the clubs will have to be alert on this.”
Explaining the concept of Elite Youth Leagues and age-group development, Prabhakaran said that broad-based club development and elite players development plans are being formulated and it will have a top-down approach from Elite Youth Leagues to grassroots leagues in all age-groups from U-9 to U-21. “No doubt there are multiple challenges. If we grow properly, the challenges could be met successfully. To have smooth conduct of the game and to give the clubs the opportunity to plan their seasons well in advance, we will announce the annual competition calendar 2023-24 in December 2022 only.”
Chaubey said he had exhaustive deliberations with senior officials of FIFA and AFC on youth development projects in India and reputed coach and FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger could visit India to advise on the projects.
Prabhakaran informed the meeting that a task force consisting of representatives of I-League clubs will be formed. The task force will have regular interactions with the AIFF to finalise strategy and resolve problems whenever it is needed.
