Decision of the AIFF Executive Committee

Besides appointing Dutchman Wim Koevermans as the new national coach of India, the All India Football Federation's Executive Committee at its meeting yesterday in New Delhi took following decisions.

The 2012 Nehru Cup will be played from August 23 to September 2. The Executive Committee decided the tournament will consist of five-teams including India and would be played on a round-robin basis. The four to be invited nations have not been decided on. The top two teams would qualify for the final and the prize money of the 2012 Nehru Cup has been doubled to USD 200,000 from 100,000 earlier.

It was also decided in the ExCo meeting that the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the AIFF will kick-start on June 23 with a flag-hoisting ceremony at the AIFF Football House in Dwarka. The Platinum Jubilee flag will be unfurled by legendary Indian footballer Ahmed Khan on the day. Khan was an integral member of the 1951 Asian Games Gold-medal winning squad.

Meanwhile, Ranti Martins Soleye was named as the best forward and Player-of-the-Tournament of the I-League 2011/12. He was adjudged after votes from all I-League Team Captains and Coaches. Besides, Dempo's Armando Colaco was named as the Best Coach; Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar SC), the Best Goalkeeper; Mahesh Gawli (Dempo SC), the Best Defender and Climax Lawrence (Dempo SC), the Best Midfielder.