NEW DELHI: The Central government’s justification in cutting funding to the All India Football Federation by almost 85% over the past four years has been called out by AIFF general secretary Kushal Das.
AIFF has seen a continuous decline in its monetary allocations under the Annual Calendar of Training and Competitions (ACTC). AIFF’s financing has declined from Rs 30 crore for the financial year 2019-20 (for an 18-month period up to September 2020) to Rs 10 crore in 2020-21. This year, AIFF stands to get only Rs 5 crore from the Central government. According to the Indian Express, the Central government’s justification for its “step-motherly treatment” are the recent results of the Indian football team. Recent results going back four years? From ths perch, it appears more about publicly putting forth a rationale for a pre-decided action.
Das, meanwhile, has responded to the public shading the AIFF has received from the Union Sports Ministry in comments made to News9.
“I think it is unfair especially in a year where India is preparing for qualification to the Asian Cup and preparing for U-17 Women’s World Cup. The Sports Ministry’s analysis of bad performance is incorrect. If you compare the average year-end FIFA rankings from 2010 to 2015 with 2016 to 2021 you will get the answer,” Das told News9.
Das further said: “The average ranking from 2010-15 was 160 with a worst of 171 and the average ranking from 2016 to 2021 is 108. A clear jump of 50 ranks in six years. Indian clubs are now playing in the highest club competition in Asia, the AFC Champions League and in its latest edition Mumbai City FC came second in their group (with seven points from six games). If that is not progress, I don’t know what is.
“It is completely illogical to compare a highly competitive sport played by 209 countries with other sports. The popularity of football across the world cannot be compared with any other sport. Instead of giving more support to make India a more powerful footballing country, it is strange the government is reducing support.”
With limited money to spend, the AIFF has reportedly asked for assistance from the Jharkhand and Odisha state governments to host camps in Jamshedpur and Bhubaneshwar respectively for the junior colts – rather than hold camps abroad.
The AIFF is also understood to be taking private assistance to help in the preparations for the men’s senior team, with the Blue Tigers currently undergoing a preparatory camp at Bellary, which is a major change from the 10-day camp they held in the UAE prior to India’s two friendlies against Oman on March 25, 2021, and the UAE on March 29, 2021, 90min reports.
Despite the recent cuts in their funding, Das has reiterated that it will not affect their ongoing plans of hosting two big upcoming events.
“Yes, after June (the AIFF plans on approaching the government seeking a review of the amount). Fortunately, the AIFF is in a position to carry on with the preparations of the Asian Cup qualifiers and the U-17 World Cup. The government has also assured that they will review the situation in a few months. If India qualifies for the Asian Cup in June, the thinking will change,” Das concluded.
