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SPORT
`Win in India with India' launched
Principal Correspondent
528 words
18 April 2007
The Hindu
21
English
(c) 2007 Kasturi & Sons Ltd

Blatter announces assistance of $1 million AIFF's Goal Project for Sikkim 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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