Goal Programme - All India Football Federation - 2002

Indian football has only recently awoken from a deep sleep, revealing the immense footballing potential that has lay dormant for so long. Success at the popular Afro-Asian Games, victory in the LG Cup in 2000 and a number of other triumphs have given a further boost to the burgeoning self-confidence of the Indian players. Football is not the number one sport in India, but it could be. After 32 long years of mediocrity, recent successes have converted the masses into real football fans. Indian football is on the rise - and Asia, and indeed the world, will surely sit up and take notice of recent developments.

India's project, which was approved on 4 March 2002, involved the construction of association headquarters with an adjoining technical centre. The aim of this ambitious project, of which the foundation stone was laid in January 2004 in the presence of many famous footballing names, was to centralise Indian football administration work, which had previously been spread over three different states. The cost of the project was covered by Goal, the FIFA Financial Assistance Programme, the All India Football Federation, private donations and sponsorship money. The complex was opened by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter on 17 April 2007 during his extensive visit to India, which brought him together with leading figures from the world of culture, politics and business.