Asian Cup experience should spur India to move ahead: Hammam

DOHA: Asian Football Confederation President Mohammed bin Hammam said India's participation in the Asian Cup after a gap of 27 years could see the country taking the first step towards the glory days of the past when they were continental leaders.

India are taking part in the Asian Cup for the first time after 1984 and Bin Hammam forsees the country becoming a strong side in future tournaments.

"I am happy for India to play in Asian Cup after so many years, after long disappearance. I welcome them. The national association, the players and fans in India must be feeling excited that their team is playing in the Asian Cup. I do believe it is the start of the wake up call for India by all means and from here on they should move ahead," Bin Hammam said in an interview.

"India started football in Asia with the first official match being played there in 1854. In the recent past there has been strong development of football in Asia except for India. Football in India has changed from 27 years ago but many countries of the region had gone ahead of India and they have the chance to move forward now.

"In 1988, Japan played in the Asian Cup for the first time when it was held here in Qatar and they could not win a match and failed to get past the group stage. But in the next tournament in 1992, they were the champions. I have a feeling that the same can happen in the case of India. The federation and people of India want change in their football fortunes," said the Qatari, who was recently elected to his third four-year term as AFC chief.

"It is a myth," said Hammam, when queried about India lagging behind mainly due to acute lack of infrastructure in the country.

Asked about his views on FIFA chief Sepp Blatter's reported comments that India could be a potential candidate to host the World Cup in 2026 or after, Bin Hammam said, "Every country has a right and ambition to host big events like the World Cup. It is not in our hands. It is entirely in India's hands and not an external wish."

"If India wants to host the World Cup they will have to show in their bid that they are capable and ready. It depends on the determination of India to take up the challenge," he said.

The AFC chief, however, said India will have to address the issues of lack of football infrastructure if it has to host big international events.

Asked if India should bid for 2019 Asian Cup, Bin Hammam said, "India will have to be ready and naturally infrastructure will have to be developed in a way that it meets today's international football standards."

"Lot of things need to be done. Football is not played in isolation. Countries play against each other and clubs in Asia have become very professional and we know these things are not in India. These are no secrets.

"People know what Qatar have, the stadiums and the facilities which India do not have. It is a myth (why this is happening in India). They will have to address these issues. It is entirely the Indians who will have to do this and fix it. The Indian Clubs will have to be commercial entities if you want to progress further," he said.

Asked if FIFA would continue to support Indian football with projects like 'Win in India with India' started in 2008, Bin Hammam said, "Win Project moves from country to country but the $8 million FIFA gives is nothing. What will you do with it. This is just a small amount.

"What is important is that there will have to be mass participation in football and part of Indian football must be commercialised and businessmen will see opportunity to enter to football. Commercialisation of Indian football is a must and I am sure it will be a success," he said.

Bin Hammam said those clubs which do not fulfill AFC licensing criteria -- with deadline already over on December 2010 -- would not be allowed to take part in the next I-League.

"The AFC criteria apply to all clubs in all of Asia. It is not on Indian clubs only. The rules will apply. We want to transform part of India football into elite football, as international level football.

"But hardly 12 or 14 top clubs are there in a subcontinent like India. This I feel is just a small drop in a vast ocean. Indian clubs need to take the lead in this development," Hammam said.

Read more: Asian Cup experience should spur India to move ahead: Hammam - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/events-tournaments/asian-cup-2011/Asian-Cup-experience-should-spur-India-to-move-ahead-Hammam/articleshow/7275530.cms#ixzz1Aube0pjs

Patel admits issues but says Houghton remains India coach

NEW DELHI: All India Football Federation President Praful Patel on Friday conceded there were "certain issues" between AIFF and Bob Houghton but asserted that the Englishman remains the national coach and will guide the team in next year's Asian Cup in Doha.

Addressing a press conference after AIFF Executive Committee meeting, Patel termed reports of Houghton's resignation as media speculation and said the coach would be in charge in the Asian Cup, scheduled in January next year.

"I myself spoke to Houghton a few days back and reports that he has resigned are completely baseless. He has certain issues (with the AIFF) as expressed by his agent. But that does not mean that he is no longer coach. He continues to be India coach and he will be there in the Asian Cup," Patel said.

"The Executive Committee has authorised me to take appropriate steps (in the Houghton issue)," he added.

On learning that the AIFF has started looking for a new coach after India's Asian Cup campaign in January next year, a miffed Houghton, whose current tenure ends at the end of Asian Cup, has threatened to resign if his contract is not renewed till 2013.

Houghton is understood to have given a three-month notice starting from April 30 though he is open to stay back if the AIFF agrees to his terms, which reportedly includes a $10,000 per month hike.

Patel stonewalled all queries on whether the AIFF would renew Houghton's contract after current terms expires in January next year.

"This is something between the AIFF and Houghton. We will discuss all issues with him. The matter is between AIFF and Houghton," he said.

Top AIFF sources said though no decision was taken today on renewal of Houghton's tenure post January 2011, there is no alternative other than giving the Englishman a new contract but the only question was whether the federation would agree to his demand for a hike of $10,000 per month in his salary.

"No decision was taken on Houghton's renewal of contract, nor on the terms and conditions. AIFF president himself will discuss the matter with Houghton and sort out the issue," a top source said.

In another important decision, the AIFF decided to give contracts starting from next month to 30 players chosen for the Asian Cup preparations with a hike of 15 per cent from what had been getting by them in the 2009-10 season.

"We have decided to give contracts to 30 probables for the Asian Cup. They will be given salary on pro-rata basis with 15 per cent hike from their existing contract amount for the eight months from June to January next year," the AIFF chief said.

"In case of some players not getting accordingly (under their current contract), the AIFF will look into it but that will be on case by case basis," he said.

The Executive Committee also decided to include Under-19 national side as one of the I-League teams from the next season starting in September and AIFF would give them contracts besides also appointing a foreign coach for them.

"An Under-19 team will be selected and they will play in the I-League from next season onwards. They will be given contract by the AIFF in a view to make it a team for the future say by 2014. The team will be based in Delhi and will have an international coach. We will start looking out for the coach," Patel, also the Civil Aviation Minister, said.

Asked about Mahindra United withdrawing from the I-League from next season, Patel said, "It was unfortunate that Mahindra decided to withdraw. We could not have done anything in this regard. They had given official communication yesterday."

Patel said I-League would be reformatting from next season with a few corporate houses likely to field their teams though he did not commit on whether the top-flight league will have 16 sides or not.

"Major corporate houses are showing interest in the I-League and I am sure that the I-League from next season will be much improved. There will be re-formating of the I-League with some teams being added from next season. We need a shake-up to improve the standard of I-League," he said.

Asked about the long-delayed appointment of a new AIFF general secretary, Patel said, "Alberto Colaco (incumbent) will be there till January 2011 and we have asked a headhunter firm to give us a list of candidates. After that we will shortlist and call for interview."

He also announced that Santosh Trophy will be shifted from Goa to Kolkata and will be held in July.

TOI