Kalyan Chaubey said the organization is aiming for a 500 percent growth in Indian Football in both the quantitative and commercial aspects of the sport . The AIFF President held an intensive discussion with club officials on the new mantra and philosophy of the I-League and Indian Football in general .
New Delhi, India, November 30: The new leadership of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Kalyan Chaubey, said on Tuesday that the organization is aiming for a 500 percent growth in Indian Football in both the quantitative and commercial aspects of the sport.According to a press release from the I-League, the President held an intensive discussion with club officials on the new mantra and philosophy of the I-League and Indian Football in general.The President spoke with clubs on the AIFF-Club alliance, key strategic areas of the game, players' development pathway, the league pyramid, the future directions for Indian Football's revenue growth, Rajasthan United FC, NEROCA FC, Aizawl FC, and TRAU FC.India has all the potential to push the game forward as the world's fifth largest economy and the world's largest democracy, and the clubs have been trying to achieve it for a long time.
The AIFF is with the clubs and will help them in the best possible way.Chaubey reiterated that having more homegrown players in as many tournaments around the country is critical.We can't grow a large pool of local talent without homegrown players, he said.After hearing the President, the I-League clubs agreed to the proposal that efforts be made to include more Indian players in tournaments around the country. Talking about the league's tv coverage, he said that joining Eurosport and Doordarshan Sports has given the club a maximum of 2.5 crore viewers on matchdays.We have a responsibility to improve the overall conditions and facilities in the I-League tournaments, particularly in pitch and light conditions.The quality of Elite Youth Leagues and age-group development should be encouraged, and the clubs will have to be aware of this.The Secretary General Dr. Prabhakaran said that broad-based club growth and elite players development plans are being developed, and that it will take a top-down approach from Elite Youth Leagues to grassroots leagues in all age groups from U-9 to U-21.The challenges could be overcome with ease if we develop properly. Chaubey said he had lengthy discussions with senior officials of FIFA and AFC on India's youth development initiatives, and that reputed coach and FIFAs Chief of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger would visit India to advise on the proposals.The taskforce will meet with the AIFF on a regular basis to finalize a blueprint and work out problems as needed.The AIFF President was praised by the club's chairman, who praised him for being elected unopposed.