Chennai is looking to bounce back as it takes on Mumbai on home turf

Beaten by a big margin in their previous game, Chennaiyin FC has a chance to bounce back when they take on the star-studded Mumbai City FC in the 15th match of the Hero Indian Super League. The match is about to take place on Tuesday. The Bojan Djordjic-led Chennaiyin had remained victorious in the competition before being hosted by Delhi Dynamos, who presented a whirlwind win with 4-1. Mumbai, on the other hand, is struggling to find a true rhythm and is third from the bottom in the points with one win and two losses. Recently it lost to North East United FC by 0-2. It is expected that if French star Anelka plays then there are chances for Mumbai to hit the right chord.

AIFF President Praful Patel has been a propelling for the magnanimous success of the Indian Super League (ISL). Partnered with IMG – Reliance and Star TV, the tournament has created a mass rage all over the nation and people are thronging in huge number to witness the thrills of the matches. The ISL is a kind of venture which has changed the face of football and has earned the sports an ample amount of exposure at an international event.

With Praful Patel profile as the chief of the AIFF, the organisation is now planning to pitch for U-20 World Cup. Presently, AIFF is preparing itself for the U-17 FIFA World Cup, slated in the year 2017 and is working in every way to make this tournament a success. With this U-17, new avenues are going to open up for Indian Football. The authorities are taking sufficient initiatives in terms of the infrastructural development of the game. The governing body is also conscious that there match fixing and betting can be a major threat hampering the spirit of the game. An integrity officer has been recruited who would be responsible for combatting all kinds of corruptions from the sport.

AIFF, endeavouring much to make I-League an attraction

I – League has already been considered as the primary leagues of the country and the teams are preparing themselves with full fervor in order to make the tournament a real success. It has been further expected that the influence of the on-going Indian Super League (ISL) would help in preparing the groundwork for the I-League to become more popular in the nation. The primary purpose of All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been to enhance the grassroots development of the game and make it even more attractive to the young generation to pursue.

Recently Sporting Clube De Goa launched their marquee player Anthony Wolfe, a famous World Cup footballer from Trinidad and Tobago. The emblem of the club is a lion and with the amount of experience that Wolfe will be bringing a lot more skill. The Club President Peter Vaz said that they are hoping to create a ‘ferocious formation’ of the I-League.

Wolfe, even though is a star footballer, loves to watch cricket. He confessed that Sachin Tendulkar is one of his favourites alongside Brian Lara. The clubs officials are expecting that participation of Wolfe will change the operational course of the clubs and will help the players to imbibe greater values and professionalism.

AIFF President Praful Patel has already made it clear that the I-League will always remain the primary tournament of the country. The organization will take necessary steps in building the right kind of infrastructure for the teams so that I-League also becomes an attraction. The President of the governing body, in a recent event of launching ceremony of the Strategic Planning, has said that the AIFF will concentrate on the basic and the elementary development of the sport in every nook and corner of India.

It is due to Praful Patel contributions the federation is taking giant strides in placing football on an international stage. Indian Football is going through a golden period as with the ISL a great commercial platform is created and also it will boost the standard of the I-League. There is a great deal of potential which is hidden and the organization needs to find them out and work rightfully for them to flourish and make it big in future.

AIFF is making new horizons for Indian Football

All India Football Federation (AIFF) is one of the professionally coordinated and well-structured sports associations of the country which have been responsible for creating milestones. The governing body of Indian Football is presently initiating instrumental programs and courses which are aiding the sport to become even more professional and standardised. In order to refine the approach of the game and also in order to help it reach out to the mass, the federation has arranged series of Grassroots development programs and youth development courses which are propelling to create major awareness in the young generation.

Under the leadership and motivation of the AIFF President Praful Patel, the organisation has been able to restore the glory of the sport which has been so far overshadowed by the glitz of cricket. It is with the motive to make the sport even more attractive, AIFF in association with the IMG-Reliance and Star TV, had ventured in designed the Indian Super League (ISL). Inspired from the pattern of Indian Premier League (IPL), this tournament includes eight franchisee teams from different parts of the country owned by top celebrities, sports personalities and business giants. The tournament experienced its first kick off began on October 12, 2014. The league has been even more dazzling with the participation of the leading international players who have been leading world cup players of their time.

Praful Patel profile has been a remarkable factor as this is also helping the original series of the country I-League to get a new look. Patel has made it clear that the I-League will always remain the primary tournament of the country. He is also optimistic that many of the ISL clubs are showing interest in the I-League and it is expected that soon they will be taking up initiatives for the I-League. According to the President, the ISL may have created a craze among the football fans but it will always remain a kind of short term booster.

AIFF Strategic Plan is launched by Jerome Valcke

All India Football Federation (AIFF) has officially launched its Strategic Plan as the event was graced by Jerome Valcke, General Secretary of FIFA along with Praful Patel, President of AIFF. The launching ceremony was conducted in New Delhi on October 15. The plan, which was presented before the Clubs, besides the Executive Committee Members and partners, has put forward the roadmap for AIFF to work towards the development and popularity of this ‘Beautiful Game’ in the country. Valcke has further said that India will always remain the ‘priority country’ for FIFA. He commented, “India is a priority country for FIFA in Asia in terms of football development. We are investing a lot in this country because we believe in its huge potential. It’s a fast growing economy with over1.2 billion people. There’s definitely space for other sports than cricket.”

AIFF President Praful Patel has denoted the Strategic Plan as the ‘process which would define AIFF’s philosophy.’ AIFF, as Patel has called, is the most structured sports federation in the country. His objective is to utilise the need of the hour and to document a perfect work schematic to make the optimal employment of the resources in order to achieve AIFF’s mission and vision. Kushal Das, AIFF General Secretary, also restated and confirmed the organisation’s seriousness and commitment to develop the sport in India.

After Lakshya, India needs a rudder that would guide and boost the teams’ morale for a larger platform. AIFF is targeting itself to prepare for the overall Strategic Plan which will channelize the potential of the players in right direction and shape their skills to achieve the dream in the next 4 years. Das further elaborated, “We have identified 13 clearly defined and time bound goals and objectives which we need to target till 2017.”

With Praful Patel contributions, the organisation has devised detailed operational plans and budgets ensuring to have a sustainable and implementable plan. The Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) along with their other liabilities have been defined and so performances are to be monitored and evaluated regularly. The Strategic Plan is adding a lot of stress on the Grassroots, Youth Development and Coach Education on which a detailed consultation has been organised with other stake holders.

Valcke accolades India’s approach to Football

Jerome Valcke, General Secretary of FIFA visited India and reconfirmed FIFA’s concern and seriousness regarding the development and progress of football in the subcontinent. The General Secretary is quite assertive about the changing pattern of the sport in the country and is happy about the fact that the country has bagged FIFA U-17 World Cup, scheduled in 2017. He further elaborated that a project in India is about to start with the commencement of U-17 World Cup. Valcke also appreciated that the efforts of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) pertaining to the development of the game in the country. He said, “Our commitment with India is, and will also be strong as it was; as India are on the right track.”

AIFF President Praful Patel was enthralled with the comments of Valcke and had thanked FIFA for their support towards redefining the course of the sports. He reassured that AIFF is going to bid for FIFA U-20 World Cup. FIFA have also launched Win in India project which has benefitted eight Artificial Turfs in various cities. Patel was happy to inform the media that bidding for World Cup is a step forward for AIFF. The organisation has already received much accolades and acknowledgment from AFC for its unprejudiced approach in issuing license to the clubs. Licensing of I-League Clubs has been completed under FIFA and AFC.

Valcke also met multiple I-League Clubs and AIFF Executive Committee Members after the launch. He added, “In consultation with Mr. Patel, we have devised a strategic plan from 2014 through 2017, and then move ahead to the next phase – for a long term future.” The FIFA General Secretary has also met with Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, the AIFF President, Executive Committee Members, I-League clubs and another at the ASSOCHAM. It has been also stressed that the goal for U-17 and U-20 is not for FIFA to make profits, but also to support the AIFF. Praful Patel contributions are also appreciated by the FIFA official towards the dynamism of the AIFF. Speaking of the Hero Indian Super League, Valcke said that the league is drawing a lot of attention worldwide. On the other hand Praful Patel signed off saying, “The Indian Super League is like a booster dose in the short run. The ISL Clubs hope to proceed into the I-League eventually. The goal is to bring the two closer to take the advantage for developing the sport in the Country.”

Praful Patel is happy to see the response on the ISL

The much awaited tournament Indian Super League (ISL) has begun with much pomp, glory and extravaganza. Delhi Dynamos FC hosted FC Pune City in the third match of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) on Tuesday. This tournament has already received an overwhelming response from the football fans and the football authorities. Shaped in the pattern of the Indian Premier League (IPL), this tournament will surely be a money spinning event in the history of Indian Football.

AIFF President Praful Patel has already conveyed his positive feelings about the league as he has said that All India Football Federation (AIFF) will leave no stones unturned to make this league a success. This is a dream come true. It is a great opportunity to transform this game. The world loves football, young Indians love football and the primary aim is to take it to all corners of the country.

Patel reconfirms that tournaments like ISL should take place more as Indian football needs these kind of support from the spectators. It has been great scene to watch that stadiums all over the nation are simply full and people are thronging to see the power pact matches. It is great news for Indian Football that FIFA has approved this kind of a special league in any part of the world. It is a matter of great comfort for the Indian Football that the President of AIFF is keen to redefine the course of I-League, which Patel called the mainstay of Indian Football. He further added, “This is a special league which has been allowed to take place only for India, and for the first time ever, I think we require the support of FIFA to build Indian football.”

Praful Patel profile as the chief of the AIFF has been quite glaring as he had taken active initiative to explain the importance of having the ISL in a shorter format rather than full-fledged league as AIFF will continue to organise such events even after the competition. The idea of this special league is to strengthen the audience base and bring in more and more sponsors to enhance the standards of the game.

Indian Super League rejuvenates Indian Football fans

This is a great moment for the Indian Football. Indian Super League has created a high spirited atmosphere amongst the young players and the football fans. After cricket, kabaddi and badminton, Indians are preparing for their tryst with the franchise football. FIFA President Sepp Blatter once had called Indian Football a ‘Sleeping Giant’ in the year 2007. Indian Football had several ups and downs due to the lack of proper infrastructure. Several attempts have been made to raise the standards of the Indian Football over the years which have yielded scanty results. The National Football League although became the I-League, but not much has been done at the grassroots level. It has become very difficult for the governing body to find right sponsors and broadcast partners.

With the launch of the ISL, the excitement around the sport in India is rising again. This is the first attempt which has been made by All India Football Federation (AIFF) in partnership with IMG-Reliance and Star TV pertaining to glamorise the sport. AIFF has struck the correct chord with Praful Patel profile as the President of the organisation. The organisers have managed to generate a great amount of awareness, buzz and enthusiasm around the league in the very first edition.

It is a matter of time to see whether the success of the ISL will create any impact on the domestic set up or on the grass roots level. One of the primary objectives of this league is to promote and encourage the young talents in India and develop football at the very elementary level in India. AIFF has assured that despite the advent of a corporate backed football league, AIFF President Praful Patel has stressed that I-League will continue to remain India’s premier football league and mainstay.

The ISL is carrying all the glitz and glamour that a sports event in the present times needs to have. High profile international players like Alessandro Del Piero, Zico and Luis Garcia, support of revered European football league like English Premier League (EPL), top notch celebrities like Abhishek Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor and John Abraham with sports icon like Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sourav Ganguly are all participating actively in the sport.

As the league commences from October 12, it is still remained to be seen whether the Indian Football fans are flexible enough to embrace the domestic football in its newest avatar.