AIFF Media Team
The President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Mr. Praful Patel Chaired the Executive Committee Meeting at All India Football Federation Headquarters, Football House in the Capital on August 1, 2013. Besides, AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das, Senior Vice-President Mr. Subrata Dutta, Vice-Presidents Mr. Shrinivas V. Dempo, Mr. Larsing Sawyan, Mr. K.M.I. Mather and Treasurer Mr. Hardev Jadeja, all other Members except Mr. Menla Ethenpa attended the Meeting. Ms. Sara Pilot, the Chairperson of the Women’s Committee also attended the Meeting. The Committee unanimously decided on the following points:
The Committee unanimously decided to Award the ‘Best Coach Award’ to Derrick Pereira. Pereira was chosen by the Committee over three other Coaches which were suggested to the Committee by the AIFF’s Technical Team, the AIFF General Secretary and I-League CEO.
The Committee also endorsed the idea of having an Award for the Best Junior Player (U-23) and an Award for the Best Referee and Assistant Referee from the 2013-14 Season of the I-League.
As per the request of the I-League Clubs, the 2013-14 edition of the I-League would be played on a Home and Away basis.
Furthermore, only Teams with a valid Licence under Indian Club Licensing System will be allowed to compete in AFC Club Competitions. The fixtures for the current season of the I-League is to be decided next week in consultation with the Clubs. It was also certified that performance in Local League is mandatory as eligibility criteria for 2nd Division League.
The Committee allowed the registration of four Foreign Recruits for 2nd Division and State Leagues but only two would be allowed to play.
Also, the venue cap for I-League and 2nd Division League per State/City is to be 6 for 2013-14 season and five Teams from 2014-15 onwards. Meanwhile, the new Club Licensing Criteria for 2nd Division League has been approved. This is in synchronisation with Indian Club Licensing Regulations.
The physical inspection for 2nd Division Clubs is to be conducted in September 2013 with the Preliminary Rounds to kick-off in November. The Final Round is to be held in February/March 2014.
The Committee took strong exception to the formation of an Adhoc Committee by the Pondicherry Football Association which is completely against their Constitution. The Committee decided that a dialogue should be setup with the President of the Pondicherry Football Association to resolve the matter and reinstate the old Committee till the Elections in 2014. In case of failure to do so, AIFF will set up an Adhoc Committee as per its Constitution and hold the Elections within six months.
The elections of the Andhra Pradesh Football Association would be held at the earliest. Mr. Gulam Rabbani was appointed as the Observer for the Election.The Committee also approved the new AIFF Disciplinary Code which have been drafted in lines with FIFA and AFC.
It was decided that the U-19 National Championship for Girls would be held in Orissa. Furthermore, the Committee decided to refer to an Inspection Committee (which would be formed by the Competitions Committee) the venues for other National Age Group Competitions including the Santosh Trophy.
The Committee congratulated the Indian U-16 for their recent triumph in the SAFF Championship. Meanwhile, Mr. Franco Miranda, an Executive Committee Member was named the Head of the Indian Delegation for the SAFF Championship to be held in Kathmandu in September.
