AIFF inks deal with Atletico Paranaense

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has signed a one-year agreement with Brazil’s Clube Atletico Paranaense (CAP) to develop its youth team, the under-17 outfit in particular, for the upcoming Under-17World Cup to be hosted by India.

The deal would last till December, 2015. However, AIFF secretary-general Kushal Das said they were keen to extend the contract for a longer term.

The collaboration would involve participation of AIFF youth teams in the pre-season camps at CAP besides playing in the competitions.

There would also be exchange of coaches and “technical know-how”. The team from the Brazilian club would also be travelling to India to play in friendlies.

The AIFF would be appointing a foreign coach for their under-17 team by next month.

The boys selected for the under-17 World Cup would be travelling to CAP for atleast 30 days in a year for training purposes.

“It is basically a technical collaboration for the development of our youth teams. Robert Baan was of the view that the under-17 team before the World Cup should travel to different countries and learn various styles of football. We hope it is a start of a successful collaboration,” Das told reporters on Thursday.

“The Indian players will be training for 30 days in year at CAP ground and their players will also be coming here.” 

The vice-president of the Club, Luiz Sallim, assured the tie-up would prove to be the best thing for Indian football.

“The history of our club dates back to 90 years. But we are still a young club. Our job is not to develop and prepare good players but also good citizens. In 10 years from now, we see India emerging as a strong footballing nation,” he said.

“We have players like Fernandinho playing in the English Premier League. So you can make out the kind of reputation that is attached to the club. AIFF will be a very good partner and I challenge that within a year, all in India would be happy about choosing Paranaense as a partner.”

Das also mentioned that AIFF were keen for more tie-ups with other countries.

“We are looking for a similar tie-up with Japan Football Association as well as with Germany.”