Mr. Joseph Sepp Blatter, the FIFA President, was in Kolkata on his first ever visit to India. He flew from Zurich in a chartered plane for the three day official visit.
The AIFF president, Mr. Priya Ranjan Das Munsi, Sports Minister of West Bengal, Mr. Subhash Chakraborty and other top officials were at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose international airport to receive the FIFA boss.
Accompanying him was the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Mr.Mohammed Bin Hammam, special delegate of the FIFA President, Mr. Jerome Champagne, Vice-President of AFC Mr. Manilal Fernando and other representatives and media personals.
Day 1: 15th April, 2007.
The FIFA President, Mr. Blatter had a busy Sunday. He visited the three famous football clubs of Kolkata; Mohun Bagan Athletic Club, Kingfisher East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting.
For more than one hour, the FIFA chief travelled from one club to another. First stop was at the Mohun Bagan club, where a sapling was planted in the club lawns, to commemorate his visit. It was quickly followed with a visit to the East Bengal club, where a gymnasium was inaugurated for the club.
The chief later stopped to garland the statue of Shri.Gostho Pal, a former international and a Padma Shri awardee. The convoy then moved to the Mohammedan sporting club, a 116 year old club, where the FIFA chief interacted with the club players.
In the evening, he witnessed a National Football league (NFL) match, played between Kingfisher East Bengal and Mohun Bagan Athletic Club at the Salt Lake stadium. Mohun Bagan AC defeated Kingfisher East Bengal 2-1 in the league match.
Day 2: 16th April, 2007.
The FIFA chief flew to the national capital, where he had another busy schedule awaiting him.
He met the President, Mr.A.P.J Abdul Kalam and the Prime Minister, Mr. Manmohan Singh. The FIFA chief was advised by the President to send a few top players to teach and promote the game across the country.
He later attended a meeting with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and then for a lunch hosted by CII in his honour.
In the meeting with CII, the FIFA President was at his marketing best. He addressed the high profile gathering with his ideas and suggestions to promote the beautiful game in the country. He clearly defined the difference between sponsorship and the economic support, which he felt was a need for the growth of this game in India.
Mr. Blatter said that proper administration and more importantly a strong infrastructure coupled with good support from the corporate bodies, will allow India to qualify for the World cup in the near future.
He also indicated that India had been playing football much before the FIFA was actually formed and he would like to awaken the sleeping giant.
Answering to his speech, Mr. Sunil Mittal, Vice-President of CII, promised that the corporate bodies will come forward to support for the cause of the game, as they feel that it is the right time for India to progress to the world stage.
India currently ranked a lowly 165 in the world and 34 in Asia was earlier criticised by the AFC chief, Mr. Mohammed bin Hammam, who stated that India would not progress to the world group for the next 100 years, if it continued with the current pathetic infrastructure and poor administration that it maintained on the game.
Mr.Blatter also commented that India has to prepare itself for smaller international tournaments first, before even thinking of hosting the FIFA World Cup.
Day 3: 17th April, 2007.
It was again an early day for the FIFA chief. He visited Rajghat in the morning, to pay his respects to Mahatma Gandhi. Later, he inaugurated the new head quarters of AIFF Football Houseat Dwaraka. He then spoke to representatives of different clubs of the NFL.
The FIFA boss was once again on the stage and he spoke to an audience at the Vigyan Bhavan, who had gathered there on a special occasion on the 70th anniversary of the AIFF. He spoke on various issues including the FIFA Goal Project and once again reminded everyone of his vision that he had with India.
In a Television report, he also thanked Zee Sports for their support in promoting the game across the country and stated that media must also play a vital role in supporting the game. Mr. Blatter left for Zurich that night, bringing an end to his India tour.
We now only hope if Mr. Blatter’s visit has motivated the AIFF, enough to awaken the sleeping giant, to put India and Indian football in the global playground.
Via: AIFF
Picture: www.jamaicafootballfederation.com
