AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam has exhorted Indian club owners to come forward and take up the challenge of professionalising the game in the continent. Speaking to the AFC Ad-hoc Committee for Indian Professional Football, Bin Hammam was forthright in his views, saying that AFC would go all out to help Indian clubs, provided the clubs themselves believed in change and its benefits. Attending the first meeting were All Indian Football Federation (AIFF) General Secretary Alberto Colaco, President of Churchill Brothers Joaquim Alemao, Kingfisher East Bengal President Pronab Das Gupta, Owner and Secretary of Shillong Lajong Larsing Sawyan, FIFA’s Director of Member Associations Thierry Regenass, and AFC Vice-President Manilal Fernando, who is also the FIFA Development Officer for South Asia. “The timing of this meeting is significant,” said Bin Hammam. “Yesterday we all saw India taking part in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 Finals draw. I am sure it was a proud moment for you and millions of Indians back home and I congratulate you on India’s achievement. “But I would be failing in my duty if I don’t point out that both Indian and Asian fans had to wait for 26 long years for this moment. India last played in the Asian Cup in 1984,” added Bin Hammam. “I as well as millions of Indians want to see India playing in each and every Asian Cup after this. However this can be guaranteed only when there is a solid and professional base of club football in the country. “AFC and FIFA want to listen to you as you are the owners and presidents of Indian clubs. We urge you to share your ideas for professionalising football in India.” The AFC President said this first meeting and more threadbare discussions would pave the way for the future. “In addition to the artificial turfs being sponsored for some clubs under FIFA’s ‘Win in India with India’, AFC and FIFA can think about contributing to the clubs’ costs towards professionalising their administration.” In the meeting, AIFF General Secretary Colaco made a presentation to the members on the I-League. The committee then approved the new criteria for professional clubs in India to join the I-League. The deadline for the clubs to meet the conditions is December 31, 2010, already set by the AIFF Executive Committee. The conditions are the same as those that would apply to all clubs eligible to participate in the AFC Champions League in 2011. Colaco asked AFC for support in certain key areas: Setting-up the league structure and regulations; evaluating the capacity of existing clubs to meet AFC and FIFA Club Licensing criteria; weeding out the clubs that cannot meet AFC criteria. FIFA’s Regenass stressed the world governing body’s support in professionalising Indian football. * Courtesy* : (www.the-afc.com)
