NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 31, 2016 ATK win HISL for 2nd time Page 5 Mr. Praful Patel Pan India spread gets re-elected for Hero I-League Page 2 Page 4 AIFF IS BEST IN ASIA Page 1 AIFF NEWSLETTER December 31, 2016 AIFF WINS AFC DEVELOPING MA AWARD From the GS’ Desk 2016 ended perfectly. We were awarded the 2016 AFC Developing Member Association at the AFC Awards in Abu Dhabi. The Award is presented to a member Association in recognition of professional administration and governance as wee as its contribution to the development of the game. AFC has a system by which they assess all the MAs and points are awarded for the activities on Grassroots, youth development, All India Football Federation on December 1, Leaders Courses while 600 Grassroots Coaches women’s programmes, social responsibility, special projects, 2016 won the AFC Developing Member were trained with 12 States implementing the coaching courses, etc. Association of the Year Award at the Asian AIFF Grassroots philosophy by setting up We take this as a compliment and it’s Football Confederation’s (AFC) Annual FC Grassroots Centres. a motivation to continue the good Awards 2016 at the Emirates Palace in Abu work. Indian Football is on the right Dhabi. AIFF President Mr. Praful Patel collected In an effort to increase the number of AFC track under the leadership of the Award from Mr. Ali Kafashian, Vice President Licensed Coaches in the Country, the AIFF Mr. Praful Patel, who was also AFC. conducted 29 AFC Courses inclusive of 2 AFC unanimously re-elected as the A License Courses, 5 AFC B License Courses, 20 President of AIFF as the AGM held “I need to thank AFC for recognising our efforts. AFC C License Courses and 2 AFC Goalkeeping on December 21. Indian Football is headed in the right direction,” Level 1 Courses. In the process 210 Coaches I also congratulate him for being Mr. Patel told www.the-aiff.com. received their AFC certification through the appointed as the Senior Vice above mentioned Coaching Courses. President of the AFC. The prestigious award is given to a Member Asso- Meanwhile, ATK reigned supreme ciation in recognition of its professional adminis- AIFF is also the sole Sporting Federation in the to lift the 3rd Hero ISL. Two titles in tration and governance as well its exceptional Country to have launched an overseas online three years is no mean achievement. contribution to the scouting portal for NRIs Congratulations. development and over the World but with The launch ceremony of the 10th promotion of the “I need to thank AFC for recognising a valid Indian Passport. Hero I-League was spectacular. Quite game at all levels our efforts. Indian Football is headed appropriately 10 teams are playing within the country. However, this is not the the 10th edition and the League has a in the right direction.” first time that AIFF has pan-India presence. I wish success to Mr. Praful Patel, President, AIFF all the teams. Member Associa- received an AFC Award at 2017 will be exciting. We have the tions are assessed an AFC Awards night. U-17 World Cup, the Women’s and League, Asian Cup Qualifiers for both awarded points on various areas encompassing It was in 2014 that AIFF had won the AFC men and women. the association’s activities such as the organi- President Recognition Award for Grassroots A Happy New Year to all the sation of courses and seminars, competitions, Football while the previous year in 2013, AIFF stakeholders. We need your grassroots and youth development, women’s was also nominated in the top three for the AFC cooperation to take Indian Football programmes, social responsibility and special Grassroots top three along with eventual winners forward. projects. Japan Football Association and Vietnam Football Federation. Warm regards, Points are also given for an MA’s hosting of AFC qualifying and finals tournaments as well as their In addition, in 2014, AIFF was adjudged the Best national and club teams’ placing in AFC and National Sports Federation by the Federation FIFA competitions throughout the year. of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) at the India Sports Awards Night at the Kushal Das In 2016, AIFF has conducted 20 AIFF Grassroots FICCI Federation House in New Delhi. 1 AIFF NEWSLETTER December 31, 2016 MR. PRAFUL PATEL RE-ELECTED AS AIFF PRESIDENT Mr. Praful Patel was unanimously elected Vats was the observer on behalf of the LIST OF ELECTED MEMBERS Mr. Praful Patel (President) as the President of the All India Football Indian Olympic Association. Mr. Subrata Dutta (VP, East) Federation at the Annual General Body Mr. K. M. I. Mather (VP, South) Meeting held at Football House, the Besides, Mr. Purushottam Kattel, Mr. Subhash Chopra (VP, North) Headquarters of the All India Football International Relations Officer, Asian Mr. Larsing Sawyan (VP, North-East) Federation on December 21, 2016). Football Confederation and Dr. Shaji Mr. Manavendra Singh (VP, West) Prabhakaran, FIFA Regional Develop- Mr. ZA Thakur (Treasurer) Mr. AR Khaleel (Member, South) The electoral process was completed in mental Officer, South and Central Asia Mr. Jessiah Villavarayar (Member, South) the presence of the appointed returning were also present on the occasion. Mr. Deepak Kumar (Member, North) officer Justice Bipin Chandra Kandpal Mr. Deepak Sharma (Member, North) (Retd.) who declared Mr. Patel elected Mr. Chirag Tanna and Mr. Rochak Langer Mr. Ghulam Rabbani (Member, East) along with the Executive Committee for represented FSDL in the AGM. Mr. Sanjay Behera (Member, East) the term Mr. Amit Ranjan Dev (Member, West) Mr. Gulab Chauhan (Member, West) 2017-2020. “On behalf of the AIFF, I can assure you Mr. MN Brahma (Member, North-East) of the highest standard of ethics and Mr. L Hmar (Member, North-East) “I declare Mr. Praful Patel unanimously transparency,” Mr. Patel told the house elected as the President of the All India immediately after being re-elected. Mr. Praful Patel appointed as Football Federation. All nominated Senior VP, AFC persons for the posts of Executive “I thank all of you for your support and AIFF President Mr. Praful Patel was Committee members have also been am grateful for your continuous support,” appointed as the Senior Vice President elected unanimously, subject to the final he added. “I take pride in the fact that I of the AFC on December 01, 2016. ‘I am outcome of the pending court proceed- have been given the honour of heading grateful & thankful for all the support ings. Congratulations to all of them”, one of the most professional sports bodies extended,’ Mr. Patel tweeted from his Justice Kandpal declared. in the Country.” Official Twitter account @praful_patel Mr. Dilip Kumar Singh also attended Meanwhile, the Special General Body Under Mr. Patel’s tutelage, India won the the AGM as an observer on behalf of the Meeting, which was also held rights to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup Government of India, Ministry of Youth unanimously, approved the proposed India 2017 and hosted the AFC U-16 Affairs and Sports, while Mr. Kuldeep amendments to the AIFF Constitution. Championship in September 2016. 2 AIFF NEWSLETTER December 31, 2016 Pan India spread to highlight 10th Hero I-League The 10th Edition of the Hero I-League, Hero MotoCorp Ltd said: “Football has India’s premier domestic Football clearly become one of the most popular competition, will see a return of sports among youngsters in the country. As representation from all four regions of the the Title Sponsor of all the marquee football Country - Mohun Bagan, Kingfisher East tournaments in the country - Hero ISL, Hero Bengal, Aizwal FC and Shillong Lajong from I-League and Hero Federation Cup - Brand the East and North East; Mumbai FC, DSK Hero has been the pioneer in popularising Shivajians FC and Churchill Brothers FC Goa the game in India. With over 100 matches from the West; JSW Bengaluru FC and to be played by the 10 teams in the fray, the Chennai City FC from the South and Hero I-League and Hero Federation Cup will debutants Minerva Punjab FC will bring the certainly bring a lot of excitement for the North of India back into top flight Indian fans, and contribute towards the long-term Football after a gap of five seasons. development of the game.” As the 10th edition of the Hero I-League was Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary, AIFF launched at a glittering ceremony at a hotel in said: “The competitive spirit of the Hero the National Capital, Mr. Praful Patel, Pres- I-League has been outstanding over the ident, All India Football Federation (AIFF), last few editions. The League witnessed a said: “The ten participating teams in the 10th substantial increase of almost 40 percent in edition of the Hero I-League are based from spectator attendance and here we are, prior to across the length and breadth of the Country. the kick-off of the 10th edition, I thank Hero MotoCorp for their support expecting the graph to further go up.” to the I-League and Indian Football. The League is the unifying factor for the Football He further stated: “This edition, the League fans in India as right from Aizwal FC in the has a pan India presence. I wish luck to all North-East to Mumbai FC in Mumbai, and the teams. May the best team come out as the from Minerva City Punjab FC in Chandigarh winner of the Hero I-League. Hero Motocorp to Chennai City FC in Chennai, the clubs has been providing extensive support for the represent pan India. The Hero I-League is promotion of Indian Football and I thank the premiere league of the country through them for their cooperation.” which teams participate in the AFC Cup and the AFC Champions League.