AIFF meets for annual general body meeting in Goa
“We will soon be going to rank the States much like the licensing criteria which is in existence for the I-League Clubs. There has to be accountability from all the State Associations,"
Praful Patel,AIFF President
The Goan Network
MARGAO: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) at its Annual General Body Meeting held near here on Sunday has called upon all the affiliated state associations to become "more accountable".
Chairing the AGM, Patel said: “I feel many States are not doing enough. If Indian football as a whole has to grow, we need more wholehearted support and participation."
The AIFF boss added: “We will soon be going to rank the States much like the Licensing criteria which is in existence for the I-League Clubs. There has to be accountability from all the State Associations."
Patel reminded the gathering that AIFF is the custodian of football in India and that the apex association is here to give a direction to Indian football. "For that, all the States need to move in sync,” he stated.
Mentioning that the idea is to take the game to all corners of the country, Patel lauded the support and supply line of players from the North East region of the country.
“North East is the backbone of Indian football at the moment. Furthermore, if you look at Kashmir, there were around 18,000 people cheering for LoneStar FC when they played their home matches in the 2nd Division League. The diversification of football is so positive,” he opined.
“One of the primary reasons for bidding for the 2017 U-17 World Cup was to start a new footballing culture in the country. We have made a beginning and hope it will usher in a new era and give a new dimension to the sport in the country.”
Patel also stressed on developing an “ecosystem for football.”
“We have introduced an U-15 League and the response has been so encouraging. The idea is to develop an entire ecosystem of football. Indian football is not long away, it’s on the horizon,” Patel pronounced.
AIFF General Secretary, Kushal Das highlighted that the AIFF is addressing the “transition phase” to produce better Players.
“The kids who have been identified at the GR level need to be engaged in the YDP and we are working on that,” he said.
Das also stressed on AIFF’s “zero tolerance policy on corruption related to the Sport.”
“The AIFF has maintained a zero tolerance on corruption. We have conducted Workshops with FIFA and even have an Integrity Officer on board. Maintaining integrity is not just about fighting match fixing. It percolates down to all the administrators who run the State FA, Clubs and the AIFF. In fact, we at AIFF have signed a code of ethics to address the issue,” Das echoed.
Others who attended the AGM were: Vice-Presidents Subrata Dutta, Subhash Chopra, Shrinivas Dempo; AIFF Executive Committee Members and members from Member Associations (except Haryana and Nagaland) also attended the meeting, as did the two affiliated units – SSCB and RSPB.
2015 AIFF AWARDS AT A GLANCE:
Player of the Year: Eugenson Lyngdoh
AIFF Woman Footballer of the Year: Bala Devi
AIFF Emerging Player of the Year: Pritam Kotal
AIFF Emerging Woman Footballer of the Year: Pyari Xaxa
AIFF Award for Best Grassroots Development Programme: Football Association of Odisha
AIFF Award for long time contribution to Indian Football: Coca Cola
AIFF Award for Best Referee: CR Srikrishna
AIFF Award for Best Assistant Referee: Sapam Kennedy
BOX
Lyngdoh,Bala Devi 2015 AIFF Player of the Year
MARGAO:Eugenson Lyngdoh was voted as the ‘2015 AIFF Player of the Year.’ The announcement was made by AIFF President Praful Patel at AIFF AGM on Sunday. After she scored 16 goals in 5 matches in the SAFF Women’s Championship in Pakistan in 2014 to propel India to the gold Medal, they said that Bala Devi can score goals with her eyes closed. You mention it to her and the lanky striker laughs it off.
Lyngdoh was chosen the winner on basis of votes from coaches of I-League clubs. He will be presented a prize of Rs 2 lakh besides the glittering trophy.
An elated Lyngdoh confessed that he was “honoured” on being chosen as the ‘2015 AIFF Player of the Year.’
“The fact that I was voted by the I-League coaches makes it all the more special for me. This is just a motivation to do better,” he stated.
Furthermore, Bala Devi was was declared the 2015 AIFF Woman Footballer of the Year said. The 25-year old would be presented a prize of Rs 1 lakh besides a Trophy.
“I thank the AIFF for their constant support and help. I revere the Awards lauded to me by the AIFF a lot and these are the things which matter the most to you as a Player,” she said.
