Radical Roadmap -- AIFF's 'Vision 2047' aims to transform Indian football from ground up
THE AIFF HAVE UNVEILVED an ambitious, expansive proposal to develop football in India with their 'Vision 2047' roadmap initiative.
The roadmap was announced today in a press conference at the All India Football Federation headquarters in New Delhi, attended by AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey and Secretary General Shaji Prabhakaran.
With several major reforms in men's and women's club football as well as grassroots and youth initives, the roadmap lays out a plan that aims to make the Indian men's & women's teams top 4 in Asia by 2047.
While this is not the first time the AIFF has come up with a roadmap (e.g. the 'Vision 2022' initiative of former AIFF president Praful Patel) but this is the most detailed statement of intent that the Federation has issued till date.
The roadmap targets 2026 as an early landmark year to implement some of the changes that will act as starting points. For example, by that year the top two leagues of India (ISL & I-League) are slated to have 14 teams each. The third tier league is to have 12 teams; making for a block of 40 clubs at the national league structure. The league pyramid itself will go down to 5 tiers and have promotion-relegation; which Dr Prabhakaran confirmed by saying that even teams from city leagues will have a chance to get promoted to the top division. This portion of the roadmap appears to fully comply with the AFC-FIFA roadmap that was adopted back in 2019.
For women's club football, a major change will also kick in during the same period. The Indian Women's League will have a proper home-away season structure. The new format will launch with 8 clubs next season but soon it will have 10 clubs.
According to the roadmap, by 2026 the Indian men's team will be among the top 10 in Aisa (Top 7 by 2036), while the women's team will be among the top 8 in the continent. And India will aim to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, for both men & women, by merit.
Another major aspect of the roadmap that will be implemented in the near term is initiating development programmes in conjuction with FIFA initiatives. The AIFF top brass confirmed that former Arsenal FC manager Arsene Wenger will play a role in the talent development and scouting structure, and the exact role he will play will be revealed in February.
Photo Courtesy - AIFF
At a grassroots level, AIFF will aim to reach 2.5 crore children through school projects and 3.5 crore children through dedicated grassroots programmes. According to Dr Prabhakaran, the clubs will be empowered to play a major role in this part of the roadmap and their participation will be mandated through the club licensing system.
The revenue model of club football is also expected to undergo a major revamp as AIFF wants to generate 500 crores from its major competitions, up several times from the current levels of revenue. The AIFF officials did not clarify whether the telecast rights for the Indian Super League will be brought to an open market bid to achieve this.
The roadmap also includes several projects for coach and referee education.
If implemented correctly, the AIFF bosses believe that this project will turn India into one of the biggest commercial and talent hubs in world football by 2047.
According to the targets listed in the project, by 2047 India will have 30 FIFA standard stadiums and a top division league with 20 clubs. In women's football, there will be at least 20 major standalone club who work exclusively in women's football alongside other clubs who have both men's and women's teams. Each player will play 55 competitive matches per season. And the total number of football clubs across the country at every level will grow from 4,500 today to 20,000.
This is undoubtedly the single biggest project in the history of Indian football. And if AIFF even accomplish half of these targets, it will radically transform Indian football for the better.
It remains to be seen how the Federation will handle the implementation of this mammoth undertaking.
Watch the whole presentation and press conference right here, courtesy the Indian football team's Facebook page...
Now we are not even Top 16 in Asia, and it's almost impossible for Men's NT to be in top 10 by 2026 (in 3 years time). On top of it, we don't have solid U-19 & U-23 teams.
Top 10 in Asia within 2026 is a joke and disrespect to other Asian teams. Shaji has worked with FIFA for years and Kalyan is a ex player they should stop making such unrealistic targets.
Also there is a loophole in this plan. They want to target finances to increase by 500% in 2026 and truth is 80% of their roadmap depends on this one target itself.
With Indian NT players like Chettri fading there are bey less stars to market Indian football
by that year the top two leagues of India (ISL & I-League) are slated to have 14 teams each. The third tier league is to have 12 teams; making for a block of 40 clubs at the national league structure.
well i wanted to be 20 (premier league), ok too much, 18 (Bundesliga) sorry my bad, 16 ( Belgium league from next) is that asking too much? but anyways happy that
1. more than Scottish league, A-league etc.
2. it is even number of teams. Means all the teams will be involved in matchdays. It really pisses me of to see a team sitting idle on matchday.
I went through most part of the plan. What they have provided are the drawbacks and objective. Concrete plan for attaining those objectives is not part of the book, probably will be addressed by resp governance. Looks quite good on paper, but then again we have seen this earlier
by that year the top two leagues of India (ISL & I-League) are slated to have 14 teams each. The third tier league is to have 12 teams; making for a block of 40 clubs at the national league structure.
well i wanted to be 20 (premier league), ok too much, 18 (Bundesliga) sorry my bad, 16 ( Belgium league from next) is that asking too much? but anyways happy that
1. more than Scottish league, A-league etc.
2. it is even number of teams. Means all the teams will be involved in matchdays. It really pisses me off to see a team sitting idle on matchday.
I’m really doubtful about more teams at top. Just look at North East and East Bengal.
I also watched I-League Sreenidhi matches (I-League current leaders) they are no way near ISL standards. 14 teams or 16 is maximum. First develop more players at base and give them chance before expanding to 18-20 and all.
by that year the top two leagues of India (ISL & I-League) are slated to have 14 teams each. The third tier league is to have 12 teams; making for a block of 40 clubs at the national league structure.
well i wanted to be 20 (premier league), ok too much, 18 (Bundesliga) sorry my bad, 16 ( Belgium league from next) is that asking too much? but anyways happy that
1. more than Scottish league, A-league etc.
2. it is even number of teams. Means all the teams will be involved in matchdays. It really pisses me off to see a team sitting idle on matchday.
I’m really doubtful about more teams at top. Just look at North East and East Bengal.
I also watched I-League Sreenidhi matches (I-League current leaders) they are no way near ISL standards. 14 teams or 16 is maximum. First develop more players at base and give them chance before expanding to 18-20 and all.
We are not good in football and will probably never be. We must enjoy whatever we have now
Comments
Radical Roadmap -- AIFF's 'Vision 2047' aims to transform Indian football from ground up
THE AIFF HAVE UNVEILVED an ambitious, expansive proposal to develop football in India with their 'Vision 2047' roadmap initiative.
The roadmap was announced today in a press conference at the All India Football Federation headquarters in New Delhi, attended by AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey and Secretary General Shaji Prabhakaran.
With several major reforms in men's and women's club football as well as grassroots and youth initives, the roadmap lays out a plan that aims to make the Indian men's & women's teams top 4 in Asia by 2047.
While this is not the first time the AIFF has come up with a roadmap (e.g. the 'Vision 2022' initiative of former AIFF president Praful Patel) but this is the most detailed statement of intent that the Federation has issued till date.
The roadmap targets 2026 as an early landmark year to implement some of the changes that will act as starting points. For example, by that year the top two leagues of India (ISL & I-League) are slated to have 14 teams each. The third tier league is to have 12 teams; making for a block of 40 clubs at the national league structure. The league pyramid itself will go down to 5 tiers and have promotion-relegation; which Dr Prabhakaran confirmed by saying that even teams from city leagues will have a chance to get promoted to the top division. This portion of the roadmap appears to fully comply with the AFC-FIFA roadmap that was adopted back in 2019.
For women's club football, a major change will also kick in during the same period. The Indian Women's League will have a proper home-away season structure. The new format will launch with 8 clubs next season but soon it will have 10 clubs.
According to the roadmap, by 2026 the Indian men's team will be among the top 10 in Aisa (Top 7 by 2036), while the women's team will be among the top 8 in the continent. And India will aim to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, for both men & women, by merit.
Another major aspect of the roadmap that will be implemented in the near term is initiating development programmes in conjuction with FIFA initiatives. The AIFF top brass confirmed that former Arsenal FC manager Arsene Wenger will play a role in the talent development and scouting structure, and the exact role he will play will be revealed in February.
At a grassroots level, AIFF will aim to reach 2.5 crore children through school projects and 3.5 crore children through dedicated grassroots programmes. According to Dr Prabhakaran, the clubs will be empowered to play a major role in this part of the roadmap and their participation will be mandated through the club licensing system.
The revenue model of club football is also expected to undergo a major revamp as AIFF wants to generate 500 crores from its major competitions, up several times from the current levels of revenue. The AIFF officials did not clarify whether the telecast rights for the Indian Super League will be brought to an open market bid to achieve this.
The roadmap also includes several projects for coach and referee education.
If implemented correctly, the AIFF bosses believe that this project will turn India into one of the biggest commercial and talent hubs in world football by 2047.
According to the targets listed in the project, by 2047 India will have 30 FIFA standard stadiums and a top division league with 20 clubs. In women's football, there will be at least 20 major standalone club who work exclusively in women's football alongside other clubs who have both men's and women's teams. Each player will play 55 competitive matches per season. And the total number of football clubs across the country at every level will grow from 4,500 today to 20,000.
This is undoubtedly the single biggest project in the history of Indian football. And if AIFF even accomplish half of these targets, it will radically transform Indian football for the better.
It remains to be seen how the Federation will handle the implementation of this mammoth undertaking.
Watch the whole presentation and press conference right here, courtesy the Indian football team's Facebook page...
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=495909796004949
Anyhow, let's pray & hope for the best
well i wanted to be 20 (premier league), ok too much, 18 (Bundesliga) sorry my bad, 16 ( Belgium league from next) is that asking too much?
but anyways happy that
1. more than Scottish league, A-league etc.
2. it is even number of teams. Means all the teams will be involved in matchdays. It really pisses me of to see a team sitting idle on matchday.
this is good thinkng as now the 4th and 5 tier is virtually non existent. But going down the tier we need to increase the teams.