Checks and balances surface

The general appearance of calm can easily be shattered. FIFA president Joseph Sepp Blatter, the sporting world8217;s most powerful man...

The general appearance of calm can easily be shattered. FIFA president Joseph Sepp Blatter, the sporting world8217;s most powerful man, Mohamed Bin Hammam, Asian soccer8217;s boss, and All India Football Federation AIFF president Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, have been presenting a strong defence to all criticism circulating in the media and among the disgruntled.

Today, at a media conference, that bold face seemed to recede into the background temporarily. To a set of pointed questions from The Indian Express, on the transparency of the AIFF and its funds, Dasmunsi was at pains to point out how each and every balance sheet was doubly audited, and that only 8220;five per cent of the expenses8221; were administrative in nature.

Hammam, said: 8220;The AFC provides the money only if it is happy with the accountability of the federation8221; 8212; that was after he announced the AFC8217;s 1 million special 8216;Winning in India with India8217; project.

Blatter explained how even the FIFA had come under attack. The marketing 8216;arm8217; ISL was going bankrupt.

In India, the problem is in ground realities. Mohun Bagan secretary Anjan Mitra complained to The Indian Express about how the gate money due to them from the NFL was not forthcoming for the last four years. Another top club official said he has been experiencing this for the past two years.

The big story was that neither of the three heads assembled today would want to face the problems head on. That there is an accountability problem has been made amply clear even from a vice-president again, not willing to be named of the federation itself. It is also true that a big contingent of Dasmunsi8217;s close workers were airlifted from Kolkata for this two-day bonanza in the Capital.

Yet, there are claims of transparency.

There is good news too. Blatter wants to fulfil his 8220;promise8221; to President APJ Abdul Kalam and 8220;try and bring Zinedine Zidane, or Franz Beckenbauer now on the executive committee, to boost the profile of the sport in this country. 8220;Michel Platini is also on my executive committee, but he is now chief of UEFA. Another star could be former Athletic Bilbao player and now the president of Spanish Football Federation, Angel Maria Villar,8221; said Blatter.

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Meanwhile, Dasmunsi announced that 100 schools will be brought into the fold of a special project 8220;as soon as Blatter leaves8221; and finally trainees will be in five zones for the final picking. 8220;We will dispatch our people to these schools immediately,8221; he said.

Dasmunsi also revealed that India remains in contention for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, and that a proposal to this effect has been sent to the finance ministry and then to be pushed through to a cabinet committee as well. 8220;Much depends on the infrastructure available,8221; said Dasmunsi.

But given that infrastructure will be ready anyway for the 2010 Commonwealth Games if the meet is held in Delhi, this should not be a stumbling block.

Checklist and Wishlist

Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, President AIFF

8226; Announced a talent hunt programme for the year. 100 schools identified across India and promised that the AIFF will despatch people to start grassroots level search for talent.

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On offer are regional centres divided into five zones and even schools of excellence will be set up. But when it comes to availability of pitches the final call has to come from the government. 8220;Am sad that as the soccer chief of the country with a billion population, I have not been able to achieve much, except the National Football League.8221;

Mohamed Bin Hammam, President AFC

8226; Called on the AIFF for a concrete plan for the holistic development of football that takes both the pro league and amateur football in the fold. Announced a 1 million assistance for the new pro-league and the development of clubs. 8220;This is not a donation and we want to see the development we will be keeping a close eye on how the fund is used,8221; he said.

Joseph Sepp Blatter, President FIFA

8226; Cited example of Tajikistan, who made it to the finals of the U-17 World Cup in South Korea. 8220;If they can, why not India, which is far more resourceful and bigger?8221;

Announced that the 8216;Winning in India with India8217; project will start by the fall of this year. The project has already started in spirit but at the same time asked AIFF to put the plans on paper within the next two months ahead of the AFC and the FIFA Congress.

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8220;It will be reassessed after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. I would want to come back to India, to see what progress has been made.8221;

Expressed unhappiness with one particular Premiership club which decides to tour in off season, to make money, instead of either allowing players to rest or do goodwill tours.

Bhairon Singh Sekhawat, Vice President India

8226; Appealed to the AIFF to search for talent in rural India. 8220;Dasmunsi should make sure that playing arena are set up in the villages or at least at the Panchayat level, I believe that will yield better results.8221;