'You have the potential to be on top of the world': Arsene Wenger asserts high hopes at FIFA-AIFF joint academy inauguration

Arsene Wenger has inaugurated the FIFA-AIFF joint academy at the Odisha Football Academy in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday (November 21).

The All India Football Federation has signed a MoU with the Odisha government for the the joint academy which eyes to change the landscape of Indian football.

The legendary French manager, who was at the Arsenal helm for 22 years, came to India on Sunday as FIFA's chief of the Global Football Development programme.
After reaching New Delhi, he was welcomed by AIFF chief Kalyan Chaubey and other AIFF delegates. The French manager also addressed the media on Monday and spoke highly about Indian football.

Wenger believes Indian football is a 'Gold Mine' which needs exploration as there is no shortage of talent in the country. He also affirmed his belief in Indian football and was optimistic about it growing in stature in the coming days.

"My target is to improve football in the world. And it is impossible that a country like India, 1.4 billion, is not on the football world map," Wenger said during his visit.

"We have realised that among 211 countries, over 150 have no real youth system in place and the best countries in the world have the best education system for young players. So, on the other hand, many talents in the world don't get the chance. So we created a programme that is called. Every talent in the world, a chance And that's what our programme is all about is to identify the talent in India, to put the best talents together in a good coaching programme, good education," Wenger said after signing the FIFA-AIFF MoU Tuesday.

"The potential in India is huge, because it's a big country of 1.4 billion. That means you have the potential to be on top of the world. That's what we want to achieve together. One thing is for sure, if you don't educate, you will remain where you are at the moment. Our target is to grow top-quality players here and get India on the map as one of the best countries in the world," the former Arsenal boss added.

In a bid to improve that, FIFA and AIFF have joined hands to open the brand new academy at the Odisha Football Academy on Tuesday. Top talents across the country will be nurtured as India aims to emerge as a football giant in the coming years.

AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey was also present and said, "It is a very common question to AIFF president when will India play World Cup in senior level? Let's have a small step towards U-17 World Cup. Thereafter they can take next steps and be one of the greatest in World Football. I have high hopes by presence of Arsene Wenger through this AIFF-FIFA academy. We can definitely get our best national team in the under-17 category in the next three years".