AIFF's 2012 AGM: The Decisions

The All India Football Federation held its Annual General Body meeting at Football House in Dwarka, New Delhi today. AIFF president Praful Patel chaired the meeting in the presence of AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das plus the Vice-Presidents Subrata Dutta, Ankur Datta, A.R. Khaleel and Venod Sharma.

The Executive Committee members of the AIFF and members from all the Member State Associations (except Arunachal Pradesh) and other stakeholders were also present as was Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran, FIFA Regional Developmental Officer for South and Central Asia; representatives from AIFF's Marketing partners and invitees from sponsors.

In his address, Praful Patel stressed on laying a solid foundation which would take Indian football to the next level. "We need to have a comprehensive Youth Development Programme which would guide us in the right direction," the AIFF president said.

"The Regional and the Elite Academies are going as per schedule," he added. "Coach Education stays an integral part of the Curriculum."

"2011 was an eventful year for Indian football. Besides India winning the SAFF Championship, the U-16 boys made it to the final phase of the AFC U-16 in Tashkent, which is commendable indeed. I also congratulate the U-13 girls for winning the AFC U-13 Football Tournament in Colombo recently," Mr. Patel added.

AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das announced that a new U-19/20 National Level tournament would be held every season from now on.

Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran made a presentation titled 'Performance' which stressed on Professional Football Management.

A minute's silence was observed prior to the start of the meeting in memory of former Indian internationals and administrators - Sailendra Nath Manna, K.V. Varadraj, A.S. Firoze, M.A. Sattar, Bobby Hamilton, Arjun Bikram Shah and Ejaz Hussain, all of whom passed away.