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PANJIM: FIFA President Gianni Infantino has branded India as the ‘Passionate Giants’ on his first visit in the country during the FIFA U-17 World Cup logo launch ceremony held in a hotel, in Miramar on Tuesday.
“India has always been always mentioned as the sleeping giant. But from what I have seen here I am sure that India is now the passionate giant of football. India are the World Champions of passion,” Infantino said
The passion and enthusiasm of the people together with the football developmental projects initiated by and run by AIFF, government bodies and other local organisations has forced the FIFA chief to label the country as passionate giants.
“I have heard from many of the players playing in India in the last couple of years. I have been told what kind of passion is there in the country for football. The future looks really bright,” he revealed.
The Project XI Million initiated by the AIFF together with the government is one such project that has caught the eye of the FIFA chief.
“The project Mission XI Millions of AIFF together with government is a fantastic project,” he said.
Impressed by the AIFF’s initiative, Infantino said that the passion is growing year after year and the results won’t be immediate but would be gradual.
Infantino also mentioned that it needs to be made sure that there is a ‘steady growth of Football in India’.
“The FIFA U-17 World Cup can be an ideal catalyst to develop the sport even further and across the whole country. This is an exceptional opportunity to converge two of FIFA’s core missions: to organise tournaments and to promote football development,” he added.
“Football is already one of the top sports of India and it is the number one sport for the Indian youth. We aim to make it the number one sport in India for everybody. FIFA together with AIFF has to develop Football in India and we need to make sure that there is a steady growth of Football in India,” the FIFA President maintained.
“I like the Indian Football Federation being called the All India Football Federation. It has the feeling of the magnitude of India and embracing everyone. India is a Continent which is developing and Football will become the No. 1 sport in the Country,” he added.
When asked about the India’s growing football market, Infantino instantly replied and said that the main objective has to be the development of football than any other thing.
“If we develop football, you develop the passion for football, then the money will come on its own, automatically,” explained the FIFA Chief.
“We are here to look at India as football country. Then of course the commercial side, which is also important for the development of football. But that will automatically come with the development of football,” he said.
Commenting on the Proposed roadmap drawn by the AIFF for Indian Football, Infantino said, “It is work in progress and it is important that football in India develops,”
He further said that, “India is a country which is famous for making compromises when it is necessary and I hope a good compromise will be made.”
Speaking on the same Praful Patel said “In my proposition to FIFA, I have spelt out both the pros and cons keeping in mind that the legacy clubs in India have great history and have contributed towards Indian football and we will not do anything that will hurt their interests.”
“We must not come to conclusions, it is work in progress and nobody has to feel threatened at this stage.” Patel assured.
