FIFA may discontinue grant to AIFF

As per the scheme, a Fifa project towards developing and popularising the game all over the world, a grant of $ 1 million would be paid to eligible national bodies, in four equal instalments. Though the AIFF has already received half of the sum, the details on how the money was spent were yet to reach the Fifa.

AIFF sources pointed out that it was the communication gap between the president and the secretary that caused the delay. “As the elections are approaching, nobody has time to spend on such important matters. Nobody seems to know failure to submit the accounts in time could even invite punishment to the national body.”

The AIFF’s failure to submit a detailed project report has denied India entry into the `Goal Project’, a new Fifa campaign aimed at helping the Asian national federations gain adequate infrastructure for the development of the game. The project, headed by Qatar’s Mohammed Amim, has already extended its help to countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Despite the bottleneck at the administrative level, the AIFF has interestingly announced a big soccer bonanza for the coming season. The new projects include the appointment of a coach from England, Brazil or France, trips to European countries, the Nehru Cup series, a Indo-Bangla tournament and the Millennium Cup. Going by AIFF’s track record in similar projects, it is to be seen how many of these will materialise.

The most interesting announcement is that the Federation Cup, which was scheduled for the last season, will now be held this year. With the elections round the corner, more such promises are likely to follow.