A two-day FIFA Forward Capacity Building Workshop for Indian State Associations took place in Dwarka, New Delhi on 26 and 27 September. The workshop was attended by representatives of ten State Associations including high officials such as Presidents, General Secretaries, Chairmen, and State Development Managers. A FIFA Forward Special Project initiative of the MA “State Development Project” was launched in 2018 with 11 states.

From grassroots and youth football implementation, to women’s football, Competitions management and marketing, the participants were introduced to a range of substantial presentations delivered by high-level regional experts.

Welcoming all delegates and participants, Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary welcomed the participants during his opening remarks:

“Capacity building of State Associations has its own challenges, and is a critical aspect. We have been trying to do it for long, and while there have been some states who have been successful, most need to up the ante,” the General Secretary maintained. He concluded by encouraging the attendees to take the workshop as an opportunity to interact among themselves and take advantage of the group discussions.

“Under FIFA Forward we have assisted AIFF with competitions, the Golden Baby Leagues, the Hero Indian Women’s League, state development, the Hero Sub Junior Youth League, the NCE, etc,” Mr. Sanjeevan C. Balasingam, Director MA Asia and Oceania, who represented the FIFA Administration stated. “India are no more a sleeping giant. Instead, India is wide awake, the results against Qatar being the best example. We want to take it one step further, and we are here to take India to the top of World football.”

“It’s important that the State Associations participate in a robust manner, and create the essential structure for development. We at AIFF have developed our Strategic Plan and the support from the Government has been immense after we presented it to them,” Mr. Das commented.“Hopefully everyone would be going back with their leanings, and implement them in their respective states. We are happy to help, and can even do a six-monthly monthly review,” he added.

All India Football Federation Technical Director Isac Doru stressed on the significance of the “capacity building” of the State Associations in the AIFF organised FIFA capacity-building Workshop in New Delhi. While Indian football has been on the rise over the last few years, Doru stated State Associations are the “building blocks” of Indian football.

Honorary Secretary of Mizoram Football Association Lalnghinglova Hmar stated, “Genuinely one of the best workshops for state football associations ever. The topics are very relevant to state associations. India is such a vast country and the State FA functioning are somewhat similar to many MAs under FIFA in many aspects; therefore, FIFA addressing the State FAs will help the growth of Indian football. It is next to impossible for AIFF alone to do so. I wish FIFA continues to organise such workshops for the States in the future as well.”