AFC represented by AIFF in UEFA

Suvrat Thatte, Development Manager of All India Football Federation (Grass Roots) and Ms. Anjana Turambekar, Assistant Development Manager attended the UEFA Study Group Scheme (SGS) on Grass Roots Football at the St. George’s Park, the training facility of the Football Association, England. This is a knowledge exchange programme of UEFA for European Countries which includes relevant subjects like Grassroots Football, Coach Education and Women’s Football. This specialised study group has been designed to focus on the Grassroots Football and encompassed various aspects of Grass Roots events. The seminar delivered effective lessons and stressed on sharing the best practices amongst the representatives coming from the participating Nations.

This has been the first time when some Asian country has been invited in a seminar of such international stature, a courtesy initiative by AFC – UEFA cooperation. AIFF is taking its standards to a global landscape as it shows its capacity to face and participate representing such a prestigious organisation from Asia. Under the strong motivation of AIFF President Praful Patel, the federation has crossed multiple hurdles and today is gleaming in creating a real success saga for the nation. Besides India, the contingent of the Asian Football Confederation was also attended by representatives from Japan, China, Jordan and Vietnam. The contingent was chosen by the AFC on the basis of developmental progress executed in Grassroots Football in their respective countries over the last year. Besides, England, Denmark and Finland were also present. All the countries exhibited their presentation on various Grassroots activities that they are schematizing in their own countries.

Thatte thanked AFC and UEFA for recognising and applauding our Developmental Programme. AIFF, under NCP Leader Praful Patel, will continue to bring in more young talents through their grass roots initiatives. The representatives are thankful to AFC and UEFA for such a prestigious acknowledgment. He further elaborated, “We hope that the partnership between the AFC and UEFA will continue to help Member Associations within Asia with such opportunities.”

Thatte added more that the exercise has been highly effective and excellent opportunities have been presented for the Indian Footballers to learn the best practices from the leading footballing nations. India, although has achieved a lot, there is still ample scope to learn.