New Delhi, June 25 (Inditop.com) Indian football team’s preparation for the 2011 Asian Cup in Doha received a big boost with the sports ministry finding ways to bear a part of the training cost.
A top sports ministry official told IANS Thursday that the Department of Sports is studying the feasibility report of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Asian Cup project Goal 2011 to see how best can it help the team prepare for the continental cup.
The two-time former Asian Games gold medalist qualified for the Asian Cup last year after 24 years.
“We are working out ways to help the national team’s preparation for the Asian Cup. It is a big thing for Indian football and we will do everything to see the team gets whatever it wants for its preparation,” I. Srinivasan, joint secretary, Department of sports, told IANS.
Srinivasan said, as a first step, the ministry has decided to bear the team’s air-fare for the trip to Dubai and Barcelona for training-cum-competition in the run-up to the Nehru Cup in August.
“The AIFF wanted the whole trip to be sponsored, but the rules permit us to pay only the passage. However, we are trying to sanction as much money as possible so that the team’s preparation does not suffer for want. The AIFF has prepared a Rs.300-million budget for the team’s preparatory camps and competitions,” he said.
AIFF general-secretary Alberto Colaco thanked the sports ministry for its gesture to support the national team.
“It is a great gesture by the ministry. It will be big boost for Indian football,” he said.
The Goal 2011 project will keep 25-28 probables together for the entire 2010-11 season till the Asia Cup in January. During the period the players will not be allowed to either represent their clubs or the states.
The AIFF and the clubs are engaged in a dialogue to sort out how best can they take care of the players’ salaries during the period. Most of the players are highly-paid professionals and they are keen on settling the issue quickly so that they could concentrate on the job ahead.
“We have an insurance against injuries, but what about our salaries,” said Mumbai FC striker Abhishek Yadav.
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