By Mark Baber
June 3 – The new partnership was agreed in Zurich with President of the AIFF Praful Patel signing on behalf of the Indian side, with Kushal Das the AIFF’s General Secretary also present.
Patel commented on the new deal saying: “We look forward to learn from their technical expertise for further development of the Sport.
“It’s an honour to enter into an agreement with the French Football Federation.”
According to a press release the parties have “agreed to cooperate with each other in order to develop strong ties between their respective associations for the mutual benefit of each association and for the promotion, growth and continued success of football in each country.”
The agreement “highlights the collaboration and cooperation through management and officials, technical experts, coaches, referees, etc.” and “Exchanges regarding training of technical personnel and organisational procedures.”
“Availability of sports centres or installations for competition, training and camps as and where possible in accordance with availability and suitability,” have also been agreed upon.
The French will be supporting preparations of the Indian U17 World Cup Team which will be participating in the FIFA U17 World Cup 2017 to be hosted by India in terms of exposure trips for matches with French teams and participation in youth tournaments in France have also been considered.
Having signed a similar MOU with the Japan Football Association in February 2015, the AIFF, which has been described by FIFA president Sepp Blatter in the past as a “sleeping giant” of world football, now has a number of partners in improving its footballing infrastructure on top of the direct support from FIFA in developing its two domestic leagues – the I-League and Indian Super League, as well as the national teams.
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