NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation is proposing a development roadmap that seeks to make the national team competitive with the best in Asia. As a consequence, all programmes will be result-oriented.
"The new set of office bearers does not want to portray World Cup qualification as the be-all and end-all goal. The thought process is if you are among the best in Asia, then you will be playing in the World Cup," a source privy to the developments told PTI.
"The Indian team was earlier among the best in Asia. The attempt is to rise steadily to that level once again."
"Everything will be target-oriented, be it the coaches, support staff, any other programmes, or even the manpower in the AIFF headquarters. There will be overhaul and restructuring.
"The laid-back attitude will be done away with. It's across the spectrum, and will apply to everybody associated with the AIFF," the source told the newswire.
The document's release will likely be postponed for a few days since the AIFF also needs feedback from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation.
The AIFF had intended to announce the roadmap 100 days after the elections of new office bearers on September 2 but ultimately opted to wait until the World Cup was over. The paper is now anticipated to be made public in the first week of January.
"It will have a roadmap for the clubs, leagues, and state associations. Grassroots and youth development will form a big part. National team development, improvement in the women's game, coach education, and referee, everything will be there. It will be a comprehensive document," said source told PTI.
The national federation's yearly budget of slightly over Rs 100 crore, according to AIFF Secretary General Shaji Prabhakaran, has to be boosted at least ten times if Indian football is to advance.
Because of this, a significant portion of the roadmap will deal with the business side of Indian football, namely how to increase AIFF's financial resources.
"Everybody knows the commercial potential of Indian football. It should be much more than what it is getting currently. The endeavor would be to get the right commercial value from what Indian football is offering," the source said.
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