AFC wants to bring back glory of Indian football

Addressing a press conference here, AFC acting general secretary Alex Soosay said, “The AFC wants to bring the glory of India football back. That is not impossible.”

Soosay, here in connection with the AFC’s Vision Kerala project, a part of Vision India programme, interacted with the media on the concluding day of Kerala’s under-13 school football league.

“We feel that school football is the nucleus of development. These kids can develop and go to clubs, from where they can play for the nation,” he said.

Soosay said the Vision India project had been launched in Delhi, Manipur, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and West Bengal and Goa were in the pipeline.

“The dream project of Vision India was started with the aim of improving the standard of Asian football. For this, schoolchildren have been spotted and scientific coaching is being imparted to develop their skills,” he said.

The vision project is the brainchild of AFC president Mohammed bin Hammam, said Soosay, who added that the president wanted the project to be implemented in India and China first.

Soosay said  the AFC’s objective was that Indian football should reach the highest level in Asia.

Soosay said India qualifying for the 2011 Asian Cup in Doha was a shot in the arm for the sport. “The Asian Cup is going to be one contesting platform for India to showcase their football skill and talent.” Emphasising the importance of good coaches, Soosay said, “If you do not have good coaches, you will not have good players. It is very important to have good coaches.” Soosay said Indian players had good strength and physique but what they need was proper coaching and guidance.