AIFF ExCo: Decides on Future Course of Indian Football

The Executive Committee of the All India Football Federation met today with AIFF president Praful Patel presiding over the meeting held at Udyog Bhawan in New Delhi. A lot of pending issues were addressed, decisions taken and an outlook given to the future. Key decisions were in connection to youth development and funding of regional centres, India to bid for the 2017 Under-17 FIFA World Cup and a series of international friendlies to prepare Team India ahead of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup in March next year.


Here a list of all decisions taken by the AIFF ExCo

1. The Committee approved the overall Grassroot and Youth Development Programme which was created in conjunction with FIFA including setting up of the four Regional Academies in Kolkata, Bangalore (Goal Project), Delhi/NCR and Mumbai/Navi Mumbai.

2. The Committee also authorised AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das to start negotiations with Rob Baan for the position of Technical Director.

3. The President also mentioned that India may make a bid for hosting the 2017 Under-17 FIFA World Cup.

4. AIFF’s Marketing Partners IMG-Reliance (who were part of the meeting for a while) made their presentations on the Broadcasting Partners for the forthcoming I-League. A likely announcement on the Telecast Rights will be made by the end of the month. Around 70-75 matches are supposed to be broadcast live as compared to the earlier 50 odd matches.

5. The Committee authorised the Emergency Committee to take a decision on the National Team Coach within the next few days.

6. Meanwhile, the Committee approved the increase in Total Prize Money in I-League from Rs. 11 Million (1,1 crore) to Rs. 15 Million (1,5 crore). The Committee also ratified the Asian Football Confederation's recommendations to set-up an I-League Committee which will have a representative from each of the 14 Clubs playing the I-League.

7. Besides, the Executive Committee ratified the decision of the Emergency Committee of not relegating the AIFF's Developmental Team Pailan Arrows from the I-League.

8. The Committee also ratified that I-League Players (other than foreign players) cannot play more than 40 domestic club matches.

9. The AIFF also granted an annual sum of Rs. 5 Million (50 lakh) to be distributed between the State Football Associations to organise Football Developmental activities in their states. The decision for releasing such money would be taken by the newly formed Committee for evaluating funding criteria for the states in line with the Local League and Developmental activities being carried out.

10. The dates and breaks for future tournaments stay as such:

i. The Super Cup will be held at the Ambedkar Stadium, Delhi between East Bengal Club and Salgaocar SC on October 18, 2011.

ii. The I-League kicks-off at Kolkata's Saltlake Stadium on October 22, 2011.

iii. The SAFF Cup will be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi from December 2 to 12, 2011. The Preparatory Camp for the tournament will be held from November 21-30, 2011. The I-League won't be given a break for the SAFF Cup and Clubs will be playing three rounds without National Team Players.

iv. The Indian National Team would be travelling to Johannesburg to play an International Friendly against South Africa in the first week of January 2012.

v. The National Camp for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup which is the gateway to the 2015 AFC Asian Cup would be held from February 13-29, 2012. In that case, the I-League would be given a break from February 13 to 23, 2012. The AFC Challenge Cup is slated to be held from March 3 to 22, 2012 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

11. The Committee took the decision that in future all International Matches concerning National Teams or Clubs must be under the aegis of AIFF. The Committee also decided that it was important to honour the Contractual Obligations with IMG-Reliance whereby no third party agency would be allowed to host such International Matches without the explicit approval of AIFF and IMG-Reliance.

12. The Committee also approved the regulations framed for hosting International matches which comes into effect immediately and which will be circulated to all State Associations.

13. The Executive Committee also authorised the General Secretary to form a separate Committee for AIFF's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations scheduled next year.