The Hindu : Sport / Football : Club licensing is top priority

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Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007
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Club licensing is top priority

Special Correspondent

MUMBAI: Indian clubs in the National Football League (NFL) will get a firm push towards professionalism after the visit of officials attached to the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) and Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Club licensing is top priority on the agenda of the India visit, according to All India Football Federation (AIFF) Secretary Alberto Colaco.

The delegation, comprising FIFA Development Officers Jean Michal Benezet, David Borja and AFC Vice-President, Manilal Fernando, met key officials attached to Mumbai's Air-India and Mahindra United clubs on Monday, the first stop of an India tour when they will meet managements of all NFL clubs playing the First Division and six NFL Second Division teams.

FIFA initiative

Club licensing is a FIFA initiative, adopted by UEFA in 2003, wherein Indian clubs have to fulfil certain criteria before becoming eligible for a licence from the world and Asian body, paving the way for participation in FIFA/AFC events.

The criteria include football infrastructure, appointment of professional technical and administrative personnel, legal criteria regarding players' transfer and payments and finance criteria, to name a few.

FIFA Development Officer Benezet, speaking to the media after attending the inauguration of Mahindra United Club House at Kandivli emphasised on the need for increasing the number of clubs taking part in the NFL. "Ten clubs is too small a number. After increasing the number of clubs in the professional league, the next step can be a Super League, apart from club competitions at different levels."

Blatter's visit

AIFF president P.R. Dasmunshi informed that FIFA President Sepp Blatter would visit India in March/April.

Mahindra United, NFL champion, made a presentation before the officials, about steps taken towards professionalising the club's football and managerial activities.

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