Qualifying and participating in the Olympics is very a whole lot part of the Indian football team’s future goals, in accordance to All India Football Federation (AIFF) General Secretary Kushal Das.
From 1948 to 1960, the Indian country wide soccer crew featured generally at the Olympics and even reached the semi-finals in the 1956 Melbourne Games. Since 1960, however, India has been unable to make it to the principal event.
With Indian soccer progressing hastily over the last decade, there’s a concerted effort to play the big tournaments in the continent and of course, the FIFA World Cup. The Olympics too stay in AIFF’s vision.
“Qualifying for the Olympics is very a whole lot section of the usual strategic design in terms of what we want to achieve,” Kushal Das spoke back to the Olympic Channel’s question at some point of a webinar organised by means of the West Bengal Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s phase of our pursuit of excellence, which is one of the strategic goals. And the Olympics is very a lot up there.”
Two-stage development plan
Das additionally gave a particular overview of the two-phase strategic sketch in location to pressure the growth of Indian football.
He referred to that with the implementation of the Baby and Youth leagues all across India and enhancing the stage of coach’s education, the AIFF has been in a position to attain 75-80 per cent of the first phase of the strategic plan.
Explaining the blueprint for the 2nd phase, Das stated the development has to appear through competitions and that have to begin from the grassroots level.
“Leagues will be crucial. A minimal of 40-45 video games each and every 12 months beginning from grassroots, Baby Leagues, Youth Leagues, and so on have to be played.”
He also harassed the significance of ‘going local’ with the aid of equipping the nation federations to be greater self-reliant.
ISL and I-League in November?
Kushal Das additionally noted that the AIFF is working hard to facilitate the return of home football post the COVID-19-enforced lockdown.
While resumption of the incomplete second division I-League in mid-September is the first item on the agenda, a November date is being eyed for the new season of the Indian Super League and the I-League – the two most followed football competitions in the country.
“We are planning to start the senior leagues sometime in November. India has a World cup qualifier in November against Afghanistan and after that, I think we will likely begin the ISL, and the I-League quickly after.
“At this point in time this is the solely format we have, hoping it can be implemented,” Das said.
He, however, reiterated that the leagues will be conducted maintaining the COVID protection protocols in mind.
“I assume as things seem it has to be in the back of closed doors and a single venue due to the fact we cannot afford to take dangers with the players, with their tour and there are exceptional protocols and SOPs in specific states.”
While the venues are but to be finalized, Das also hinted that the ISL can also be performed in Goa while Kolkata was once the in all likelihood destination for the I-League.