Former Arsenal manager and Fifa’s current chief of global football development, Arsene Wenger will play a role in Indian football’s grassroots programmes and talent development.
During the World Cup in Doha, All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey had held deliberations with Wenger and other senior officials of the Fifa and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) regarding youth development projects in India.
“We have had extensive discussions with Fifa development team. Arsene Wenger is head of Fifa Task Force and they will help us in grassroots programme. Coaches from Wenger’s team would come,” Chaubey said after unveiling its ‘Vision 2047’ roadmap.
“About football budget cut, we have got a lot of help from the government and ministry and we have never been turned down when we requested for something,” he added.
The roadmap hopes that in the country’s centenary year of independence, India will also emerge as a new powerhouse of Asian football.
One of the key aspects of the roadmap is to ensure increased access to competition and games for players plying their trade in the country. By 2047, the federation wants to ensure players will be able to play at least 55 matches across different competitions every season.
“Transformation will begin at home through a reform of the organisational culture,” secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran said.
East Bengal lose again
Bhubaneswar: East Bengal slumped to their third defeat in four games as two goals from Diego Mauricio and a stunner from Nandhakumar saw Odisha FC securing a 3-1 win in the Indian Super League on Saturday.
The win at the Kalinga Stadium helped Odisha climb two places in the league table to fifth. This was Mauricio’s second brace in as many games.
East Bengal have much to think about despite Cleiton Silva finding the net.
Silva, who is now the leading goalscorer of the season, put East Bengal in front in the 10th minute after capitalising on Odisha FC goalkeeper Amrinder Singh’s mistake. But the hosts fought back to have the last laugh.
In the other game of the day, Chennaiyin FC conceded twice before staging a second-half comeback against Jamshedpur FC to seal a 2-2 draw.
PTI
