The ExCo of All India Football Federation (AIFF) met in Hyderabad on the sidelines of the Intercontinental Cup 2024.
This discussion featured critical developments in Indian football, such as the inclusion of the India U-20 men’s team in the I-League and issues regarding former Indian football coach Igor Stimac’s contract.
| Topic | Details |
|---|
| U-20 Team in I-League | Proposal for the India U-20 men’s team to join the I-League to provide match time and competition exposure. |
| Training at Tawang Stadium | Support for Tawang Stadium as a high-altitude training camp for the national team, aiding player endurance. |
| Stimac Contract Discussion | Concerns about the renewal and terms of Igor Stimac’s contract, calling for an independent probe into the process. |
| Football Infrastructure | Focus on expanding football facilities across India, especially in underserved regions like Arunachal Pradesh. |
AIFF’s Dream for India U-20 in I-League
“This platform will help speed up their development and make them match-fit for international duties.”
Image credit: Sportstar the Hindu
The AIFF has proposed the India Under-20 men’s football team be added to the I-League. The new move is in place to provide great match time to the younger lot and consistent competition exposure around the year.
AFC Asian Cup 2026 and Asian Games 2026 are knocking on the doors soon, and AIFF thinks that playing the U-20 side in the I-League will further prepare the squad for those key international tournaments.
The U-20 team is exempted from the promotion and relegation system, thus being solely absorbed into developing themselves without impending relegation from the league, hence possible factors to promote young talent and, therefore, the next generation of footballers to be adequately prepared when called for international competitions.
A long-term plan of the federation is to include the India U-20 team in the I-League. The AIFF hopes that this will turn out to be a platform that helps speed up their development and will thus make them a match-fit for international duties.
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Support for the new stadium at Tawang.
- High-Altitude Training: Located at 10,000 feet above sea level, it provides a unique environment for building endurance.
- Infrastructure Development: This move highlights the need for football facilities across India, especially in less developed regions.
“This marks a major milestone in AIFF’s strive to bring top-level football activities into various parts of the country.”
The members of the Executive Committee also threw open a proposal from the Arunachal Pradesh Football Association, proposing the newly inaugurated stadium at Tawang as a facility for the training camps of the Indian national football team.
At an altitude of 10,000 feet above sea level, it provides a unique high-altitude environment that will help players build endurance and prepare for various conditions.
The AIFF views this as a welcome addition to its infrastructure resources. Training at this high altitude can make players physically fitter, more resilient, and better-placed international match contenders.
It also speaks of the federation’s need to see football facilities spread all over the country, especially in regions like Arunachal Pradesh that are not exactly in football’s DNA.
The move not only puts in bold print an era in the development of football in India but also marks a major milestone as part of the AIFF’s strive to bring top-level football activities into various parts of the country.
This newly launched stadium at Tawang is set to take on a very important role, part of the training and preparation of the national team, future international success aside.
Stimac Contract Issue Discussed
- Concerns Over Terms: Allegations that the renewal was done on unapproved and unfavorable terms.
- Call for Transparency: Members urged for an independent investigation into the renewal process to ensure accountability.
The ExCo also discussed the issue surrounding the contract of former Indian national football team head coach Igor Stimac.
There were issues of renewal, termination, and settlement of the deal that had renewed Stimac’s contract in 2023 on allegedly unapproved and unfavorable terms.
The members called for an independent probe of the procedure followed in renewing Stimac’s contract. Members feel that certain personnel who had served in the renewal process did not follow the standard protocols.
This has elicited calls for a proper investigation into the federation to get to the bottom of things to ensure that transparency and accountability should pervade their dealings with the coaching staff.
This apart, former office bearers continuing to represent the federation in various committees of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) was another matter that had the AIFF in a quandary.
A few of the members demanded that AIFF write to these bodies as it would curtail such practices and ensure that the current office bearers are represented appropriately.
From these dialogues, it can be inferred that the AIFF wants to demonstrate how professionally and transparently it has conducted business affairs. The issue of the Stimac contract is one of those matters that bring it to conducting just federative business proceedings.
Improvement of Football Infrastructure in India
Presenting the stadium at Tawang for the training is a proposal by the Arunachal Pradesh Football Association. This marks a large step in the expansion of football facilities in India.
India had never had an infrastructural base that would have supported top-level training and competitions in football.
AIFF has covered quite a distance in healing this malady by propagating the development of football infrastructure throughout parts of the country.
This decision to use the Tawang stadium is the ultimate culmination of the AIFF’s increasing focus on creating football opportunities in places that have, to date, been deprived of this facility.
Expanding the footprint of football facilities to places such as Arunachal Pradesh will thereby allow the federation to tap into all those talented players from different regions and promote the sport throughout the country.
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Reference:sportstar.thehindu.com
