The new logo of the All India Football Federation was launched by FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the presence of AFC President Shaikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa; Vijay Goel, Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs and AIFF president Praful Patel at a glittering function in Panjim, Goa.

The new logo which represents the Tricolour in the form of a rising flame along with a Football denotes vibrancy and constant upward movement of Indian Football. The shield on one side of the logo solidifies the entire structure and represents AIFF’s inclusiveness, responsibility and authority towards the game in India.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Patel maintained that need for AIFF was to “look contemporary to reflect the changes and reforms that Federation has been undertaking over the past few years.”

“The AIFF was formed in 1937 and we are 79 years old. I thought when you get older you got to get younger and look contemporary. Hence, we needed a new younger look,” the AIFF President stated.

“We have a new logo which has energy and resonates the exhaustiveness of the Nation in one single picture.”

FIFA President Mr. Infantino echoed that the name AIFF gives the “feeling of the magnitude of the Country.”

“India is no less than a Continent where Football is developing and where Football will become the number 1 sport. It is already the number 1 sport for the younger ones,” he said.

The new logo has been designed after a comprehensive process where the design team had detailed interactions with FIFA experts, AIFF leadership, AIFF Officials, Partners, former and current Players and the fans to get a sense of what they wanted the new logo to represent. The key words that emerged were Indian, Youthful, Inclusive and Vibrant.

AFC President Shaikh Salman said that it was “great to be back in India.”

“Today marks another step on the road to Football history as the new logo has been unmasked,” he felt. “It’s good to be back in India almost a year since when we had such a beautiful night celebrating the Annual AFC Awards night.”

The Sports Minister Vijay Goel mentioned about Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing the “U-17 World Cup as a great opportunity to revolutionize Sports in India.”

“The FIFA U-17 is an excellent opportunity to instil passion for Football in India. We will witness a full-fledged Football revolution in the Country,” he stated.

(Report & Photo courtesy: AIFF Media)