I-League Committee Meeting on August 23

The All India Football Federation has called for a meeting of the I-League Committee for the 2012/13 season at Football House in Dwarka, New Delhi on Thursday, August 23 at 11.00 IST.

The AIFF letter does not include an agenda and as stated in the invitation they would do so in due course, but surely on the agenda would be the plans about the IPL-style league/tournament that the AIFF's marketing partners IMG-Reliance are working on.

There has been a lot of irritation and confusion about IMG-Reliance's plans with little concrete information coming out and there being a lot of speculation in Indian football circles on what the sports marketing majors are working on.

The I-League Professional Football Clubs Association, the new body formed over the summer by the top Indian football clubs, has been critical of the IMG-Reliance plans which as they say weakens the I-League and thereby hurts the interests of their member clubs.

It will surely be an eagerly awaited meeting on August 23.

AIFF launches Platinum Jubilee (75th anniversary) celebrations

The All India Football Federation turned 75 today on Saturday, June 23. It was on this day in Shimla in 1937 that the All India Football Federation was founded. The Football Federation commemorated the occasion by launching the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations at the AIFF Headquarters, the Football House in Dwarka, New Delhi. The celebrations continue till June 22, 2013.

Former India Captain and legendary footballer Chuni Goswami unfurled the flag to mark the beginning of the celebrations besides also unveiling the AIFF's Platinum Jubilee logo. The AIFF Senior Vice-Presidents A.R. Khaleel and Subrata Dutta were also present as were Hardev Jadeja, Ankur Dutta, Tempo Bhutia and Sunil Bharadwaj besides General Secretary Kushal Das, but the AIFF president Praful Patel was not present on the occasion.

AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das looked back the path travelled so far. "It is a momentous day for all football lovers. The AIFF which was launched in 1937 is now 75 years old. We stay proud of our history," he said.

He also stressed on the future plans ahead. "AIFF has big plans for the development of football specially the launch of Youth Academies which will go a long way in improving and developing the game in India," he added.

AIFF President Praful Patel in his message said, "It is indeed a great occasion that we are 75 years old. I am sure that with the programme undertaken in the Platinum Jubilee year we will go a long way in creating the right impetus to take Indian football to the next level in due course."

Chuni Goswami also lauded the AIFF over the recent appointment of foreign coaches. "I need to mention that AIFF has brought in quality coaching staff in all age groups. It's up to the Indian Coaches who work with them to learn the finer points of the trade," he commented.

On the occasion a short documentary film 'Glory of Indian Football’ was screened at the Football House.

Besides, Chuni Goswami was presented a bouquet of flowers by A.R. Khaleel, Subrata Dutta, Ankur Datta and Hardev Jadeja. Kushal Das presented Chuni Goswami a memento and Subrata Dutta presented him with a shawl.

The Military Pipe Band of Rajputana Rifles performed on the occasion with 'Saare Jahan se Accha' played in honour of the guests. The AIFF staff were also present on the occasion besides the media.

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.

AFC Adhoc Committee meets at AIFF Football House

The Asian Football Confederation's Adhoc Committee for Indian Professional Football met at the All India Football Federation Headquarters - Football House today under the Chairmanship of AFC president Zhang Jilong in the presence of AIFF president Praful Patel, who is the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, but the I-League clubs were not present on the day.

The Committee lauded India's efforts and the AFC General Secretary Dato' Alex Soosay, who was a part of the evaluation team sent to India in 2004, mentioned about the huge progress made in India since 2004.

The Committee also praised the new initiatives taken by the AIFF in terms of having an Opening Ceremony for the I-League and hoped that the I-League will grow significantly in value and stature in the coming years.

Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran, FIFA Regional Developmental Officer for South and Central Asia gave a report on the status of ‘Win India Project’ and highlighted the fact that all necessary clearances from FIFA legal department has been taken into consideration to complete Mumbai's Cooperage ground in the next few months.

AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das presented a report of the current year's I-League and also the Calendar for the next season's edition. Mr. Das stressed the Calendar for next season for all AIFF events including the I-League have been chalked out well in advance.

He further mentioned that the Calendar ensures that not more than five rounds of I-League matches would be held in a month which will allow the players sufficient time for match recovery and the clubs to plan properly.

Mr. Patel, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee mentioned that from the next season most of the I-League matches would be played under the lights as almost all the venues would have floodlight facilities.

The meeting concluded with the Chairman expressing his desire to see Indian football rise to the next level but also cautioned that India should ensure doing the right things in a professional manner rather than trying to do it in a hurried manner.

He also said that although this is the last meeting of the Adhoc Committee, a Task Force comprising of members from FIFA Development Office, AFC Development and Competitions Committee and AIFF/I-League will be set up to continuously progress and monitor Indian football.