No problem with I-League, says AIFF president Praful Patel
All India Football Federation president Praful Patel on Saturday said that there was no problem with the country's premier football competition - I-League - and added that it was being "strengthened" with a new format.
All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel on Saturday said that there was no problem with the country's premier football competition - I-League - and added that it was being "strengthened" with a new format.
"There is no problem with the I-league. It is being strengthened. The process of having a new arrangement is underway at the AIFF," he told reporters on the sidelines of a sports event in Mumbai.
"I can assure you that the AIFF's endeavour, in association with the Asian Football Confederation and FIFA, is to strengthen the I-League. The I-league, in fact, is being looked upon very appreciatively by the AFC and FIFA. Within a few weeks, things will fall in place," he added.
Earlier, Patel inaugurated the second annual South Mumbai Junior Soccer Challenge, an initiative by Congress MP Milind Deora, at the Cooperage Football Ground in Mumbai.
The championship, which aims at promoting soccer among the youth in the city, would serve as a 'Talent Hunt' as 30 talented youngsters will be shortlisted for a coaching clinic that is being conducted by the Queens Park Rangers (QPR) coaching teams who are in the city.
From this training camp, two youngsters shall be selected for a six-weeks training programme at the Queens Park Rangers Youth Development Centre in London.
Also present at the inauguration were actor John Abraham, and Queens Park Rangers' chairman, Ishan Saksena, and vice chairman, Amit Bhatia.