'President Kalam had ''engrossing'' discussion with Blatter'

New Delhi, Apr 16 (UNI) President APJ Abdul Kalam today had an ''engrossing and thoughtful'' discussion at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here with visiting FIFA President Joseph Blatter on the need to bring improvement in Indian football.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said, while addressing a CII-sponsored function, that Dr Kalam had a scheduled meeting with a FIFA delegation headed by Mr Blatter and AFC President Mohammed bin Hammam.

''The scheduled meeting was delayed as President Kalam was having an important meeting with a cultural group and requested that the meeting be delayed. But he was kind enough to meet us even at the lunch hour,'' Mr Dasmunsi said.

''The teacher in him came out and he (Dr Kalam) had a thoughtful and engrossing discussion with the FIFA delegation and shared his understanding of Indian football,'' the minister, who is also the All India Football Federation president, said.

Mr Blatter will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also during his four-day official visit to the country aimed at giving a big boost to Indian football.

He will innaugurate the Football House -- the AIFF headquarters -- here tomorrow and address a Special Congress on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of AIFF before leaving for Zurich tomorrow night.

Mr Blatter visited Kolkata yesterday and had a first hand knowledge of Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting Clubs there, besides watching the NFL derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.

UNI