The ambitious ‘Goal 2011’ project of the All India Football Federation hasn’t got off the blocks as an executive committee meeting didn’t give the go ahead.
The ambitious ‘Goal 2011’ project of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) hasn’t got off the blocks as an executive committee meeting held on Thursday didn’t give the go ahead.
Reports suggested that the committee had given a go ahead to the project that has the potential to change face of Indian football but senior AIFF officials played down any such reports.
The committee comprising AIFF vice-presidents Subrata Dutta, AR Khaleel, Ankur Dutta, treasurer Hardev Jadeja and secretary general Alberto Colaco met at the Football House in New Delhi to discuss coach Bob Houghton’s proposal to separate 25 national players from domestic commitments and provide them with intensive training and exposure for the Asia Cup. Houghton too was present at the meeting.
While agency reports said that the committee gave the thumbs up to the ambitious project, vice president Subrata Dutta refused to confirm it. “It was just an informal meeting and though we discussed (the project) nothing official has been decided,” Dutta said. “We discussed the pros and cons of the project. But no go ahead has been given,” he added. A final plan will be submitted to acting president Praful Patel next month. Only once Patel sees the plan is a final decision expected.”
The cost of the project is around Rs 40 crores, including players’ salary and the high cost could be a stumbling block. “From where will they arrange such a big amount? They are looking for sponsors,” a source within the AIFF said.
Whether national players — including the likes of skipper Bhaichung Bhutia, striker Sunil Chetri, Steven Dias, Climax Lawrence, to name a few — will be able to be a part of the I-League next season remains uncertain until a final decision is reached by the AIFF.
AFC prez visits India
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohammad Bin Hammam on Thursday completed his brief visit to India to campaign for the FIFA executive committee elections in May. Hammam arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday evening in his private jet with a nine-member team and was received by AIFF vice-presidents Subrata Dutta and AR Khaleel. Hammam then went to see AIFF president Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, who is in coma after suffering a cardiac attack last year. He also attended the official dinner hosted by the AIFF and left Thursday morning to continue his election
campaign.
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