The Hindu : Sport / Football : AIFF signs MoU with DFL

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Wednesday, Dec 13, 2006
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AIFF signs MoU with DFL

Principal Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Indian football has plans to transform itself with German know-how. The All-India Football Federation (AIFF) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Deutsche Futball Liga (DFL) to share knowledge and experience to bring in a change in the way Indian football is being played and run.

"Our first aim is to popularise German football in this side of the globe," Holger Hieronymous, Chief Operation Officer, DFL, said. "Also, we would be involved with the AIFF and exchange our know-how in management, organisation, youth programme and sporting activities."

After the Bayern Munich's second division side played friendly matches in India, the DFL plans to bring in a top division side here in the near future to play exhibition matches. "It is a possibility that a top German club will play in India," Mr. Hieronymous said.

The AIFF Secretary General, Alberto Colaco, said that after DFL made its presentations all the members were highly impressed and decided to have the German league holders on board to resurrect Indian football.

"We are in process of converting our semi-professional league into a fully professional league, and we expect DFL to help us chart out the path," Mr. Colaco said.

On being told that all the successful football leagues in the World are run independently, Mr. Colaco said that the AIFF would be very happy if the clubs turn fully-professional and run the league themselves.

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