KOLKATA: Indian football, notwithstanding its 143rd place in world ranking, has been part of a rosy vision envisaged by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The first big test of `Vision India' - a rejuvenation theory formulated to bring Indian football out of its supposed stupor - will be on in the coming fortnight during the AFC youth championship. Interestingly, the tournament coincides with the inauguration of the first formal Vision India project with the launching of the Manipur State league.India takes on Kyrgyzstan in one of the two matches on Sunday.

Principal Correspondent in Bangalore adds

Weather causes concern

Teams from war-torn Iraq, highly-developed Japan to nondescript Vietnam have assembled in Bangalore for the AFC youth championship. Rains have been lashing the city over the last few days and the organisers are concerned over the state of the grounds — Sree Kanteerava Stadium and Bangalore Football Stadium.

Japan preferred to rest on Saturday, before Sunday's tournament opener against DPR Korea, while Iraq, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia and Tajikistan all had workouts.

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