AIFF sees ''sense of euphoria'' opportune time for quick turnaround

New Delhi, July 19 (UNI) The AIFF wants to cash in on the ''sense of euphoria'' generated among people after FIFA president's visit to India, which it feels will help in bringing a turnaround in the country's football fortunes.

FIFA president Joseph Blatter visited India in April and inaugurated ''Goal 2011 Project'' with an aim to raise India's football standards in four years.

''There is enormous potential for football to be successful in India. Interest in football keeps on growing. Whether in terms of players or in terms of fans. We have to work together to make sure that we don't lose that sense of euphoria,'' AIFF General Secretary Alberto Colaco told FIFA magazine.

''The visit of FIFA President Joseph S Blatter in April gave our cause a huge boost. His visit created so much excitement.

''If we start now, we will have the chance to build something. We need clear plans and the determination to push them through,'' he added.

AIFF's aim is for the national team to qualify for the 2014 World Cup and move up in FIFA rankings for which an invitational international tournament is being hosted here next month.

National coach Bob Houghton has also repeatdly said that India should move up inside top 10 among Asian countries in four years' time.

But, Colaco was candid in admitting that the country was lacking in various ways and needs help from FIFA.

''We are lacking a little bit of everything to be honest. We obviously need more money. We need FIFA help in all areas: infrastructure, image, administration, education. We are in productive discussions with FIFA Development Division because FIFA can help us to develop quicker.'' Colaco laid emphasis on the professional league which is scheduled to start from September 30.

''Everyone has to take the initiative, even the independent state associations. We want to pool our resources. That is why a professional league is so important to us,'' said Colaco, who has been General Secretary of AIFF since 2004.

He said since only a few states would be represented in the professional league, so AIFF would concentrate on developing amateur football in the other states at the same time.

Colaco also said the staff working at the AIFF headquarters were not enough.

''At the movement, 12 people are working for the AIFF. That is clearly not enough. We need younger and more qualified employees,'' he said.

UNI