Mr. Praful Patel chairs AIFF Executive Committee meeting via video conferencing

by Rounak Majumdar October 23, 2020

Mr. Praful Patel, President, All India Football Federation chaired AIFF’s Executive Committee Meeting held via video conferencing today (Thursday, October 22, 2020).

Besides Senior Vice President Mr. Subrata Dutta, AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das, Vice Presidents Mr. Manvendra Singh, Mr. Larsing Ming, Mr. KMI Mather and all other Executive Committee members attended the meeting. Leave of absence was granted to Vice-President Mr. Subash Chopra and AIFF Treasurer Mr. Z A Thakur

Mr. Chirag Tanna, General Manager, FSDL attended the meeting as an invitee. AIFF Technical Director Mr. Isac Doru was also present.

The Committee condoled the demise of Mohammad Shamsuddin, Mr. Carlton Chapman, Mr. Laishram Manitombi Singh, Mr. SS Waseem, and Shri M Mohanraj (Governing Board Member of the Karnataka State Football Association), observed a minute’s silence bowing their heads as a mark of respect for the departed souls.

The President congratulated the AIFF administration for “having done some wonderful work during these difficult and extraordinary times — keeping football and all other activities in top gear.”

“Congratulations for the completion of the Hero I-League Qualifiers. The Hero ISL is slated to kick-off on November 20. The Hero I-League will be hosted in Kolkata, while the Hero ISL will be held in Goa. Both the cities have been chosen as they have multiple match and practice venues,” Mr. Patel averred.

The Committee also congratulated Mohammedan Sporting for winning the Hero I-League Qualifiers 2020 and earning a ticket to the Hero I-League 2020-21.

The Committee also felt that under current circumstances hosting the Hero Youth Leagues this season won’t be possible, and the Hero Youth Leagues and the Academy Accreditation procedure would kick-off once again from next season onwards.

AIFF League Committee shall consider organising an U-20 League next season so that the boys who would have played U-18 league this year get the opportunity to showcase their performance in the U-20 League.

Briefing the Committee, CEO, Leagues Mr. Sunando Dhar stated: “There were quite a few lessons for us during the Hero I-League Qualifiers which will help us immensely when we go on to conduct the Hero I-League 2020-21 later in the season. I need to thank the IFA, Mr. Joydeep Mukherjee (Secretary, IFA), Mr. Subrata Dutta and the Government of West Bengal for their stupendous support.”

The President also apprised the Committee that India will be officially bidding to host the AFC Asian Cup in 2027. India had earlier expressed their interest to host the tournament earlier this year.

The Committee also approved the distribution of the COVID Solidarity Fund to the State FAs to support their activities.

Meanwhile, with the Government of India having merged the Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli into a single union territory, the provisional membership of Dadra and Nagar Haveli FA has not been renewed as they need to merge with Daman and Diu (a permanent member). The Daman and Diu FA needs to now apply to AIFF for the change of its name to Daman Diu Dadra Nagar Haveli FA.

In addition, Lakshadweep FA has been granted a full membership.

Meanwhile, the AIFF will hold its virtual AGM on December 21, 2020.

Also Read: CONFIRMED: ISL 7 to start from November 2020

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