AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey meets Hero I-League club officials
NEW DELHI:The All India Football Federation President Mr. Kalyan Chaubey on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, held a meeting with the representatives of the Hero I-League clubs in the Football House in New Delhi. In the meeting that lasted two hours, the President had an intensive discussion with the club officials on the new mantra and philosophy of the Hero I-League and Indian Football in general. Mr. Chaubey said that the current management in the AIFF is aiming for a growth of five hundred per cent in Indian Football, both from the qualitative and commercial aspects of the game.
The President also had a discussion with the clubs on the AIFF-Club partnership, key strategic areas of the game, players development pathway, the league pyramid, the possible areas for the revenue growth of Indian Football, the way forward for the increase of commercial value and how Indian Football could be converted into a talent hub of world football.
Present in the meeting were AIFF Secretary General Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran, Deputy Secretary General Mr. Sunando Dhar and senior officials from Gokulam Kerala FC, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Sreenidi Deccan FC, Churchill Brothers FC Goa, RoundGlass Punjab FC, Rajasthan United FC, NEROCA FC, Aizawl FC and TRAU FC.
While addressing the Hero I-League clubs, Mr. Chaubey said, “All the clubs as well as the federation are pursuing a dream that they want to be realised in near future. As the fifth largest economy in the world and the largest democracy on earth, India has all the potential to take the game ahead and the clubs have been trying to achieve it for a long time. However, it has not been recognised the way it should have been. Our focus is the development of the clubs and the AIFF is with the clubs and will support them to the best possible extent.”
To support and create a smooth path for betterment of club football, Mr. Chaubey stressed on the fact of having more homegrown players in as many tournaments across the country. “Without homegrown players, we cannot build a large pool of local talent,” he said. After hearing the President, the representatives of the Hero I-League clubs agreed to the suggestion that efforts should be made to include more number of Indian players in tournaments across the country.
Mr. Chaubey pointed out that a whole lot of measures have been taken to improve the conduct of the Hero I-League in the ongoing season. Talking on the television coverage of the league, he said that roping in of Eurosport and Doordarshan Sports has ensured a reach of minimum 2.5 crore households on matchdays. “It is our duty to improve upon the overall conditions and facilities in the Hero I-League venues, including pitch and light settings. The quality should not be compromised and the clubs will have to be alert on this.”
Explaining the concept of Elite Youth Leagues and age-group development, the Secretary General Dr. Prabhakaran said that broad-based club development and elite players development plans are being formulated and it will have a top-down approach from Elite Youth Leagues to grassroots leagues in all age-groups from U-9 to U-21. “No doubt there are multiple challenges. If we grow properly, the challenges could be met successfully. To have smooth conduct of the game and to give the clubs the opportunity to plan their seasons well in advance, we will announce the annual competition calendar 2023-24 in December 2022 only.”
Mr. Chaubey said he had exhaustive deliberations with senior officials of FIFA and AFC on youth development projects in India and reputed coach and FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger could visit India to advise on the projects.
Dr. Prabhakaran informed the meeting that a taskforce consisting of representatives of Hero I-League clubs will be formed. The taskforce will have regular interactions with the AIFF to finalise strategy and resolve problems whenever it is needed.
The representatives of the club congratulated the AIFF President for being elected unopposed Joint Secretary of Indian Olympic Association.
Also Read: Kenkre held to 1-1 draw by Churchill Brothers
Also Read: Carlos Pena: To be a big team we have to be consistent
RFDL is the ultimate scouting platform – Thangboi Singto, Hyderabad FC Head Coach
Hyderabad FC head coach, Thangboi Singto, hailed the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) as the premier scouting ground for budding football players in India. As the 2023-24 season’s National Championship…
Chembur United-Jupiter FC and GKW Ranger Ease Past in their Outing in MFA First Division
In an exhilarating showdown in the MFA First Division, Chembur United-Jupiter FC cruised past Companeroes SC with a comprehensive 4-0 victory, while GKW Rangers edged out MH Oranje FC with…
Punjab FC, East Bengal FC to lock horns in Reliance Foundation Development League 2023 – 24 final after emerging triumphant in semis
Bengaluru FC and Muthoot FA to fight out in the third-place playoff Mumbai, May 14: Punjab FC and East Bengal FC qualified for the final of the Reliance Foundation Development League…
Big brother, wonderful human being, the GOAT: Chhetri an inspiration to teammates
BHUBANESWAR: As the Indian senior men’s team gathered in the Kalinga Stadium gym for their session on Thursday morning, there was a hush in the room. Less than an hour ago,…
Sunil Chhetri: A glorious international career at a glance
Born: August 3, 1984 Debut on June 12, 2005: vs Pakistan (Quetta) Matches played: 150 (captain in 87 matches) Goals scored: 94 (Top goalscorer for India) Trophies Won– Achievements– Awards– Also Read: Big brother, wonderful…
A beautiful dream will come to an end on June 6, says Sunil Chhetri
BHUBANESWAR: The journey that began in 2006 in the faraway city of Quetta in Pakistan, will finally come to an end in Kolkata on June 6, 2024, after an eventful 19…
RF Youth Sports / Reliance Developmental League
Punjab FC crowned RFDL 2023-24 Champions after beating East Bengal FC in final
Punjab FC players deserve the entire credit for helping us win the Reliance Foundation Development League 2023-24 season unbeaten: Coach Sankarlal Chakraborty Punjab FC became the Reliance Foundation Development League…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…