Rescheduling of FIFA U-17 WC will not affect preparations: AIFF

All India Football Federation President Praful Patel on Wednesday stated that the rescheduling of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in February is not going to have an effect on the host crew’s preparations because it was a brief postponement of three months.

The ladies’s age group showpiece was earlier to be held in 5 venues of the nation from November 2-21 however postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The world physique on Tuesday rescheduled the event between February 17 and March 7.

“Fortunately, it’s not been a long postponement,” Patel stated in the course of the Executive Committee assembly held on-line on Wednesday.

“I feel the postponement won’t affect the preparation of our team. We were getting ready keeping November (the earlier window) in mind. But we are on track for the event, both from the organisation side, and also the team’s perspective.”

Patel stated he was in fixed contact with FIFA and Asian Federal Confederation and “everyone is waiting for footballing activities to resume soon”. The Committee additionally unanimously determined to implement the ‘3 (foreigners) + 1 (Asian) recruit rule’ for I-League matches from 2020-21 season itself.

The AIFF stated Indian Super League organisers FSDL will work with the nationwide federation and current a plan to the Executive Committee on the way in which ahead for overseas gamers within the subsequent couple of months.

“The AIFF Executive Committee recommended this plan be made so that it can be implemented by 2021-22 season,” the AIFF stated. “The Committee also felt that as per the AFC regulation of clubs needing to play minimum 27 matches to gain eligibility in the AFC Champions League, clubs playing in ISL need to play more matches not just to adhere to the guidelines, but also for the holistic development of players, and Indian football overall.”

Patel additionally urged the ISL and the I-League golf equipment to place up a ladies’s crew for the Indian Women’s League. “Women’s football in India cannot be sustainable without participation from clubs,” he stated.

The Committee condoled the demise of soccer legends PK Banerjee, Chuni Goswami, Abdul Latif, Ashok Chatterjee and Rajendra Mohan and noticed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for the departed souls.

“It’s so sad that we have lost legends to whom Indian Football owes a lot. I put on record my greatest appreciation and respect to the contribution made by these legendary footballers. We hope their play and passion for the game will continue to guide and inspire footballers for now and for the future.”

Besides Patel, senior vp Subrata Dutta, General Secretary Kushal Das and FSDL CEO Martin Bain have been amongst those that attended the digital assembly.