Photo courtesy: I-League Media

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) delegates met two of the Hero I-League clubs and one team from the Second Division League and vividly discussed their vision and future roadmaps. Hero I-League champions Mohun Bagan AC and runners up Bengaluru FC presented their short-term as well as long-term plans while Second Division debutant Fateh Hyderabad FC meticulously pictured their future plan ahead of the AFC dignitaries.

Suman Ghosh and Imran Khan, General Manager and Media Manager of Mohun Bagan respectively, represented the century-old club and discussed prime day-to-day affairs. While they emphasised on their humongous popularity amongst the football-crazy nation, they didn’t hesitate to take a dig at the aberrations which hurt them badly.

Mandar Tamane and Srinivas Murthy, Chief Technical Officer and Head of Operations of Bengaluru FC respectively, outlined the high and lows of Bengaluru FC as well and their long-term goals which are already being worked upon. Bengaluru FC, truly the benchmark-setter in Indian football in terms of professionalism and sublime planning, darted a thorough study on their long term plans which include a plush football stadium and modern sporting facilities.

Yogesh Maurya, co-owner of Fateh Hyderabad FC who are all set to sail off their journey in Second Division League, envisioned their Grassroots Development Programme as well as first team policy, truly a remarkable one.

Stuart Larman, Head of MA Development, AFC and Yogesh Desai, AFC Development Officer paid a heed to the club officials and attended an interactive session with them to get to the crux of the problems which the Indian clubs are facing now. Stuart Larman rightly vented out his idea, “From AFC vantage point, we really wanted to visualise the I-League clubs’ perception. On a serious note, club licensing have infused more professionalism to Indian football. Now we have to brainstorm how to overcome the hurdles which are hindering I-League clubs right now.”

Yogesh Desai underlined to the issues right way, “We know the blockades which are bothering Indian football. AFC is really serious about I-League and workshops, courses and Knowledge transition program for clubs would be arranged. Fan engagement, marketing, promotions are some of the aspects which need to be taken care of straight away.”

Mandar Tamane, Chief Technical Officer, Bengaluru FC was articulate and his depictions were absolutely spot on referring the current football scenario. “It’s certainly encouraging that AIFF organised such an interactive session for the clubs. It’s imperative to have such a lucid discussion with AFC experts who could give a hand to clear the roadblocks”, he said.

“It’s an open secret that every club is going through almost identical predicaments. We have to face it with brave heart and find the light at the end of the tunnel; nevertheless we would expect that AFC would pave the pathway with their expertise,” he added.

(Report & Photo courtesy I-League Media)