NEW DELHI: FIFA on Tuesday announced an assistance of $1 million to Indian football by launching `Win in India with India' project that will initially run for a period of four years.

On the final day of his visit to India, FIFA President. Joseph S. Blatter, hinted that India could gain another grant of $400,000 for the third `FIFA Goal Project' it was entitled to.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has started the Goal Project in Manipur and the second was launched in Delhi. FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have identified Sikkim as the third site of the project.

Whole-hearted support

Addressing the AIFF's Special Congress on the occasion of its 70th anniversary, Mr. Blatter gave FIFA's wholehearted support to develop football in India from the grass-root to the club level.

"We are here to help in many ways — materially, technically and also financially — but there has to be a concerted will to bring this game up to the level that can compete with the European football," Mr. Blatter said. The new project that the FIFA has specially launched for India, will get annual grant of $250,000 for four years with various committees monitoring the progress of the project.

"By the time the next World Cup comes up in South Africa, I want to see tangible progress in the way football is played in India," Mr. Blatter added.

He suggested that instead of aiming directly for the World Cup, India should gradually elevate its status by first qualifying for the age-group World Cups in both men and women sections. "If a tiny country like Tajikistan can qualify for the Under-17 World Cup in Korea, why not India," he said.

In his message, the AFC President Mohammed bin Hammam, said that financial assistance for such a project was just one aspect. FIFA, whose funds are routed through AFC, would like to see commitment of other `stakeholders' such as the government, industry and clubs in developing the sport.

Tour by stars

A day after meeting the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who suggested that FIFA could organise a tour of outstanding players to inspire the Indian youth, Mr. Blatter said there would be such tour in the near future.

"I cannot give names now, but it would be difficult to get active players for such a tour. But the FIFA will try for players who are at the end of their career but have the charisma, such as France's Zinedine Zidane," said Mr. Blatter.

In his address, the Vice-President of India, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, urged the AIFF to provide grounds and footballs in rural areas and help the youth there to channel their energies in the right direction.

The AIFF President, Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, in the opening remarks announced that the federation would install 100 Centres of Excellence across the country to scout for talent. "We would spot the talent and the bring them to the regional centers and nurture them," said Mr. Dasmunsi.

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