All India Football Federation (AIFF) General Secretary Kushal Das and I-League CEO Sunando Dhar would be speaking at the ‘Indian Football Session’ at the World Football Forum in Paris on July 7 and 8, 2016.

The central theme of the World Football Forum 2016 is the ‘New Geography of Football’ – the high-growth new markets for the international game.

Edward Cowell (Director, World Football Forum) expressed his delight at both being a part of the forum. “At a time when Indian Football is undergoing rapid development and very significant structural reform, I am delighted that two of the leading figures in the AIFF – General Secretary Kushal Das and CEO of the I-League Sunando Dhar – will be taking part in the World Football Forum in Paris this year, to give their high level perspective on football in the very exciting Indian sports landscape,” he said.

“I am looking forward to the Forum,” Kushal Das maintained.

“All India Football Federation has developed a blue print that will build sustainable and financially viable ecosystem football in India over next one decade. We are committed towards maximum good for maximum number of stakeholders.  We hope that every stakeholder can see and align itself with larger picture and contribute towards growth of Indian Football,” he added.

“2017 is a very important year for us as we will be hosting the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. There has been a massive impetus on Grassroots Programmes, Coach Education and Academy Projects, all of which are to serve as a catalyst as we move forward,” he stated.

Reflecting on the proposed roadmap for restructuring of Indian club football Sunando Dhar felt that “in six-seven years time, AIFF will be able to create sustainable club revenue model which would allow allow clubs to focus more on Grassroots and Youth Development which would in turn help the pyramidical structure of the National Team.”

Baljit Rihal (CEO, Inventive Sports) said: “Inventive Sports are proud to be the content partner for the Indian session at this year’s World Football Forum. India is a witnessing a rapid evolution in the football arena. By having key industry figures talk about the change in front of the World’s media in Paris is a positive step leading up to next year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup.”

(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)