AIFF ‘Strategic Plan’: Emphasis on grassroots, youth development

October 18, 2014 12:10 am | Updated May 23, 2016 04:05 pm IST - NEW DELHI:

The All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) 39-page ‘Strategic Plan’ derives its optimism from the increase in popularity of football across the country.

The document claims that the value of the FIFA World Cup broadcast rights in India has risen by more than 1000 per cent since the 2002 tournament. An estimated 55 million viewers watched the event in Brazil earlier this year.

Moreover, a commitment of Rs. 7.5 billion has made by corporates in recent times. Unsurprisingly, the AIFF’s optimism has been boosted by the advent of Indian Super League and European clubs’ investment in academies.

On Wednesday, federation president Praful Patel and FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke had emphasised the primacy of I-League. According to the plan, AIFF expects an I-League club to win the AFC Cup and enter the main round of the continental Champions League by the end of 2017.

In addition to ensuring conformity to club licensing regulations, the governing body plans to make I-League’s Division 2 and under-19 tournaments more competitive and cost effective. Similar plans are afoot for Santosh Trophy, Federation Cup and State level age group competitions.

To boost the brand image and reach of the I-League, AIFF hopes it will be a pan-Indian league in 2017. The AIFF President has revealed that ISL franchises are interested in the I-League and according to the document, they would be expected to invest in grassroots development and infrastructure refurbishment.

Unsurprisingly, the vision document lays a strong emphasis on grassroots programmes and youth development outside ISL as well. The former is expected to be implemented in 15 states by the end of the planning cycle. It’s estimated that the grassroots initiative will attract 350,000 participants by 2016, with another 100,000 added every year thereafter.

For youth development, talent identification projects are slated to be formalised in 11 states this year. In 2015, an academy certification programme will be launched for private academies.

Coach education is set to receive a boost too as AIFF plans to augment capabilities of 1200 instructors every year. Coaches will be required to undertake a refresher course once in two years.

With so many plans being set out, AIFF intends to look into its own management structure while professionalising state associations as well.

The federation’s proposed National Player Registration System (NPRS) will offer a centralised database for checking fraud and corruption. Moreover, all state associations must appoint a CEO and Technical Officer before the end of 2017. To aid these bodies, a member association development programme will be launched for a minimum of six states.

In fact, a database on the lines of NPRS is also set to be rolled out for referees in 2015. The AIFF intends to offer full-time contracts to 15 match officials by 2017 and, in all, produce 4000 educated referees in this time.

Four weekend referee academies with 40 instructors in charge will be set up too.

Finally, a national league for women is expected to be introduced next year. AIFF expects the national women’s team to break into the top 40 in the world and top eight in Asia by the end of the planning cycle in 2017. Currently, India is placed 53rd globally and 11th in the continent.

— ( Concluded )

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