With Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) giving green signal to Rs.25 crore grant to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Thursday, Goal.com spoke to several eminent personalities from the world of Indian football and got their views on the same...
Subrata Dutta, AIFF vice-president:
“My heartiest congratulations to Mr.Praful Patel. We are proud of him and I feel that under him, the pristine Indian football shall return.
“Thank you BCCI. Now, we are confident that there won’t be any dearth of funds. Under Mr.Patel, we can now take Indian football to where it should have been.”
Ankur Dutta, AIFF vice-president:
“It is a great gesture by BCCI. The cricket board is known for supporting other sports in India and what they have done for football, which shall only go on to help develop the game in India.
“I hope this help shall help us deal with several challenges like the 2011 Asia Cup. “Ever since taking over the mantle at the AIFF, in such a short time, Mr.Praful Patel has shown his intentions which is to help improve the standard. He is a very positive personality and I’m sure under him, we can together achieve our goals."
Col. Gautam Kar, AIFF deputy general secretary and shortlisted candidate for AIFF general secretary:
“It’s a good thing by BCCI. In the longer run, they can come forward for better marketing of the popular game as well. Football is definitely going to grow and by associating with it, it gives them a chance to channelize their money in a better way.”
Savio Messias, Goa Football Association (GFA) secretary and shortlisted candidate for AIFF general secretary:
“I feel that the money has come in at the right time. We must thank Mr.Praful Patel and the BCCI for this. Now, it’s important that every penny is utilized in the best possible manner.”
Dr.Shaji Prabhakaran, Football consultant and shortlisted candidate for AIFF general secretary:
“It’s a great moment for Indian football and the credit must go to Praful Patel and BCCI. Its’ imperative to make the best use of the grant by making our national team more competitive with the 2011 Asia Cup participation is not far.
“The money should be made an asset so that the AIFF can become self-reliant. The finance must be spent constructively.”
Source: Goal.com
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Monday 17 August 2009, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.