AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation received the AFC Grassroots charter- Bronze Level membership for its stupendous work towards promoting grassroots football.

In a letter to AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das, Dato Windsor John wrote: "We are pleased to inform you that your application for membership at the Bronze level of the AFC Grassroots Charter has been approved by the AFC Grassroots Panel on 14 February 2020.''

This declaration accords All India Football Federation the right to promote its Grassroots events and activities with the support and recognition of the AFC in accordance to the applicable terms of the AFC Grassroots Charter.

Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary, AIFF labelled this as a "great recognition" for "all the good work".

"It's a great recognition from AFC for all the good work that we have put together in the recent time and it'll definitely inspire us to put an extra effort in Grassroots as well as youth leagues Nevertheless, it's our responsibility to continue the work relentlessly and raise the bar in the coming days," he commented.  

Incidentally, it's not the first time when the Continental apex body of football recognised AIFF's holistic approach towards Grassroots football.

Back in 2014, AIFF received President Recognition Award for Grassroots Football alongside Philippines and Tajikistan. Furthermore, in 2013, AIFF had achieved a podium finish for their work at the Grassroot levels along with Japan and Vietnam.

Praful Patel, President, All India Football Federation, said: “I am extremely delighted that we got the award for grassroots development programme. In our estimation, if India’s football has to develop in the coming years, it has to be done on the foundation of the grassroots programme."

“It is a very ambitious project. India is a large country with a large number of people and we are scouting the very best of talent at a young age. Our entire focus is on the Grassroots. Indian Football is headed in the right direction, the results of which are already visible," he rounded off.