New Delhi: Indian football is set to get a major boost as the famous Chelsea Football Club of England is mulling association with programmes aimed at the game's development in the country.
"We are working with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in this continent. We are very much associated with the Vision Asia programme and here we would like to contribute to the Vision India programme," Chelsea's chief executive officer Peter Kenyon said yesterday.
"We have already set our feet in Asia with the Vision China programme, which is currently running in five cities. It has been a success for us and we want to replicate the same in India as well," Kenyon told IANS in an interview.
The Vision India programme, part of AFC's Vision Asia, was launched in 2006 with an aim to develop soccer at the grassroots level.
"We want to develop a coaching culture in India. Our main aim will be to nurture talent in a well-planned manner. But everything will be done in consultation with the AFC," said Kenyon.
Long process
"If Chelsea associates itself with India, then it would look to make a sustainable development programme in this country. It will be a long process."
Asked what India should do to improve its standing in international football, the Englishman said: "There are many factors, which will lead to India's success in international level. I think a solid programme at the domestic level, right quality of players, good stadiums and the success of the national team will obviously prove as a catalyst for India to go up the ladder in Fifa rankings."
