Time to hear from the chief...
By Rahul Bali
Medley: Alberto Colaco and the AIFF logo
With the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) decision to scrap the Vision Asia- India programme from Tamil Nadu and Delhi, Goal.com probed the reasons for the same and got insights from the general secretary of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Alberto Colaco.
Goal.com: With AFC's Vision India being scrapped in Tamil Nadu after Delhi, what could be the possible reasons for the same?
Colaco: The AFC Vision Asia-India States have to comply with certain requirements. These requirements include bringing the Constitution in line with the FIFA, AFC and AIFF Constitutions, having a State League, a Youth Programme and various Education programmes. Delhi has been working on amending their Constitution but the process is still on. They also could not launch the State League because of various reasons. Unfortunately there was no progress in Tamil Nadu at all.
Goal.com: Who is responsible for this - the state association, AIFF or the AFC?
Colaco: It is easy to point fingers and blame others. I would like to inform you that the AFC hosted delegations from the four State Associations and conducted a seminar in which they clearly spelt out the requirements for the Vision programmes. So the State Associations were aware of the requirements. The AIFF’s role is to support the State Associations and we have earmarked a budget of Rs. 5 lakhs to each of the Vision Asia-India State Associations. For the success of the Vision programme support of the local Governments is essential.
In my opinion it is always more difficult to change an existing league then to launch a new one. This was one of the main hurdles faced by Delhi Soccer Association (DSA).
Goal.com: Does this create a bad reputation for India in the eyes of the world of football?
Colaco: It is not good that projects are dropped. But this gives us an opportunity to revisit the whole programme and discuss with the concerned State Associations and AFC.
Goal.com: What was the criteria of being selected for the Vision Project?
Colaco: The criteria was as follows:
1. Delhi: Because it fitted in the concept of a City League of the AFC Vision Asia project. Also being the National Capital it could serve as a model for the other States.
2. Manipur: Because of the undoubted contribution to Football by this State.
3. Kerala and Tamil Nadu: To explore the potential both in terms of talent and the popularity of football in these States.
4. Goa and West Bengal: To further enhance the organisation and the programmes already existing in these States.
Goal.com: The Delhi Soccer Association (DSA) secretary, Bhatia was quoted saying that the failure to amend the Constitution was the primary reason for the programme being scrapped from his state but that's the case with Manipur and Kerala. Then why is the Vision Programme still on there?
Colaco: Manipur, which after three years of successful implementation of the Vision project, is considered a matured Vision programme is in the process of amending their Constitution. They have fulfilled all other criteria. Even then AFC stopped a special grant that they were giving Manipur as they did not fulfil the Constitution amendment requirement.
As far as Kerala is concerned the final draft of the Constitution is ready and Kerala Football Association (KFA) is in the process of convening a meeting to discuss and approve the new Constitution.
As far as Goa and West Bengal are concerned, AFC has written to them to give an undertaking and time table to fulfil certain requirements. One of these is bring the Constitution in line with FIFA, AFC and AIFF. They are waiting for a response by Indian Football Association (West Bengal) and Goa Football Association to launch the programme.