Reports: AIFF planning to organize four-nation tournament in Gujarat

AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey revealed the intention.

During the closing ceremony of the 12th edition of the Father Palau Inter-School Boys Football Tournament in Bhavnagar, All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey made a significant announcement regarding the future of football in Gujarat.

As reported by Gujarati daily Divya Bhaskar, Chaubey expressed the AIFF’s intention to organize a four-nation football tournament in the state.

“Gujarat is currently one of the top 5 states in sports in our country. Having recently hosted the national football championship, we (the AIFF) are planning to organize a four-nation senior men’s football team tournament in Gujarat (in near future),” Chaubey revealed during the ceremony.

Thoughts on former players assuming administrative roles

Chaubey, a respected figure in Indian football during the late ’90s and early 2000s, also shared his thoughts on former players taking up leadership roles in sports associations. He emphasized the positive impact such individuals could have on the sports ecosystem.

“If the opportunity is given to former players to lead sports associations, they can bring positive changes to the sport. While there may not be a specific rule mandating this, players who intimately understand the sport and its systems can propel it forward. Their ability to identify talent from grassroots levels is invaluable. The combination of sports and administration accelerates the promotion of sports,” Chaubey stated.

Grassroots development takes center stage

AIFF is actively working to bolster grassroots development in Indian football, and the Secretary of the Gujarat State Football Association, Mulrajsinh Chudasma, has been entrusted with leading the grassroots development project nationwide. Notably, Mr. Chudasma has also been appointed as the Chairman of the Football for Schools Blue Cubs Initiative by the federation.

The initiative has set an ambitious target of reaching 2.61 crore players in 1.53 schools across the country. AIFF has already made a significant contribution by donating an impressive 11.15 lakh footballs as part of this initiative.

This emphasis on grassroots development reflects a strategic approach to nurturing young talent and cultivating a strong football culture at the grassroots level. The concerted efforts aim to lay a solid foundation for the future of Indian football.

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