The implementation of the ‘representation clause’ will detach AIFF from the initiatives for grass-roots development, says IFA secretary
Sudeep Pakrashi: The All India Football Federation’s state units have refused to accept the contentious ‘representation clause’ that was up for adoption under the Supreme Court’s directive. Indian Football Association (IFA) is one of the state associations that has already sent a reply to the AIFF letter, mentioning that the implementation of Article 25.3 (d) will detach the All India Football Federation (AIFF) from its initiatives for the development of grassroots football across the country. IFA secretary Anirban Dutta, when asked about the issue, said, “If the new rule is implemented for the post of office-bearers, then I have no objection. I agree that an office-bearer cannot hold chairs in both the state association and simultaneously in the AIFF. But, if the law is applied to the post of the executive committee, then I have an objection, and we have sent a reply explaining the disadvantages.” Dutta explained, “You have to understand the most important aspect that the executive committee does not execute policies. The members work as advisors, and they are the representatives of their respective state associations who are involved in everyday affairs in football in their states. They gain the knowledge of what to do for the development and how to do it. They have the knowledge about how football, especially the youth development programs, are going on in their respective states, and the need to develop them further. So, in an executive committee meeting, those state association representatives get the opportunity to share their activities, and the requirements for the progress of the game.” He continued, “Now, if you remove the state association representatives from AIFF’s executive committee, then AIFF will be completely detached from the mainstream football, especially from the development programs of the game.” Article 25.3 (d) states: “In the event that a person is elected as an Office-Bearer in a Member Association and holds a position of an Office-Bearer in the Executive Committee of the AIFF, he/she shall automatically be deemed to have vacated his/her position in the Member Association.” However, when asked whether IFA has plans to seek any help for the development of football in Bengal from legendary Lothar Matthaus, the ambassador of the forthcoming Bengal Super League (BSL), Dutta revealed, “We did not have time for any such discussion on Sunday regarding the matter. But I was highly impressed by his one key advice, ‘training the trainers’ for the ultimate progress of the game. I feel Indian football does not have adequate quality coaches’ educators. So, I have a desire to discuss about the coaches’ training programs with Matthaus when he comes to Kolkata in December, likely.”
Matthuas tips for the ultimate progress of Indian football
FIFA World Cup-winning German legend Lothar Matthaus delivered clear advice, looking forward to the future of Indian football, during his visit to the city on Sunday. Matthaus, who has been chosen as the brand ambassador of the forthcoming Bengal Super League (BSL) to be held in Bengal, emphasized the initiatives to develop the quality of coaching at the grassroots level for the nation’s ultimate football progress. Matthaus gave a reference to Cape Verde’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and commented. “When you see Cape Verde for example, they qualified for FIFA World Cup 2026, it’s a country with 5 Lakh people and then I ask you, you will not tell me they have better and more talents than the players from India, but you have to work very well together, Federation, with the government, with the football clubs, with the academies and you have to find the right teachers, teachers mean coaches.” Drawing an analogy between education and football development, he added, “This is the same in the school, when you have a good teacher and a good professor, you get good students, when you have good coaches in the youth age and later in the age of over 18, then you will get better players and then you get better players, you will make better results and this can be the way for the Indian football in the future.” Matthaus was in Kolkata as the chief guest for the final of the inaugural Kolkata Police Women’s Friendship Cup Football Tournament, held at the Body Guard Lines. He was also the chief guest of the Indian Football Association’s (IFA) annual prize distribution at the city’s historic Town Hall on the day. He presented the Champion’s Trophy to the CFL Premier Division winner, East Bengal. During the prize distribution function, Matthaus had a brief fun with East Bengal coach Bino George, who was awarded the ‘Best Coach of the Year.’ However, during his interaction with reporters, the German great also revisited an age-old debate — Diego Maradona or Lionel Messi? He admitted that the comparison was nearly impossible. “It’s a very difficult question and I cannot give you an answer because the time has changed as football has been faster like all other activities around the world. I can say Maradona was the best of my generation.” Pressed to choose between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Matthaus admitted his personal preference leans toward the Argentine. “For me, Messi, but I like only his style more than Ronaldo, but I think when you speak about who is better, I think it’s the same, the feeling, how you like to see the football. Messi is more technical, Ronaldo is more powerful, and I am more for the technical football. This doesn’t mean Ronaldo has no technique, but Messi’s technique is better,” he said.
