New Delhi: Fifa secretary-general Jerome Valcke on Wednesday said the presence of big stars in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) will attract youngsters to football, helping the growth of the sport in India.
“Kids everywhere are dreaming about their stars and it’s a way to attract more youngsters. We must make sure that we’re all together with one goal to develop football in India and help India play in the World Cup sooner,” Valcke said during a session when the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) signed a memorandum of understanding with All India Football Federation (AIFF) to promote the sport in India.
“India has huge potential and the Indian Super League is helping. What is important is that whenever you do something at the top level, you don’t forget about the grassroots programmes and to develop football at the level of the kids and then come to highest level,” he added.
Valcke also expressed hope that the 2017 U-17 World Cup will help India put in place a lot of football infrastructure. “Fifa has given India the responsibility of hosting the under-17 World Cup in 2017, which is a huge milestone and would also help in the long run, particularly with infrastructure,” he said.
Praful Patel, All India Football President, thanked Fifa for all its support. “We are going to bid for the Fifa U-20 World Cup. I want to thank Fifa for their support. Fifa have launched ‘Win in India’ Project and that has benefitted, with eight Artificial Turfs in various Cities,” he said.
“Winning the bid to host the World Cup has been a step forward. I’m happy to say a lot of progress has taken place. Licensing of I-League Clubs have been completed under mandate of Fifa and AFC,” Patel added.
Valcke who met with various I-League Clubs and executive committee members of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) also launched the AIFF’s “strategic plan.”
