GFA requests AIFF Rs 1 Crore as Grant in Aid; AIFF stays aloof

Many a times , duplicity engulfs the functioning of AIFF. On one hand earnest intent is displayed in taking football forward. Different approaches to the road forward are shown to being paved. But, when it boils down to calling a spade , a spade the cloak of reality shows a naked body.

Goa football association (GFA) President Mr. Elvis Gomes dashed out a letter to AIFF President Praful Patel on August 20,2014. The letter , apart from entailing Goa’s contribution towards the development of  football , explains that despite having a team in the Hero India super League(HISL), GFA has been kept in the dark about the role it has to play in the conduct of the HISL.

“The ISL, a commercial initiative developed by the AIFF has had no formal engagement or discussions with the GFA as yet,except that the representatives of the Goa franchise have approached for the purpose of  registration of the entity with  GFA”.

Interestingly, the GFA President   terms  the “ ISL a commercial initiative.”

I would request the AIFF favourably considers this State Football association to bestow some financial benefit out of the ISL, so that sufficient capacities are built to handle the demands that will arise in the futurenot only as a result of ISL,but the Under 17 World Cup in 2017 as well,” says the note penned by Elvis to AIFF President Praful Patel and general secretary Kushal Das.

“I would appreciate a Grant –in- Aid of Rs 1.00 crore for a beginning which will be exclusively used for the above purpose”, says the letter. “ The above purpose” suggests to create a pool of personnel and develop a good infrastructure for office including introduction of ICT.”

It has been a fortnight now that the letter has been sent and there is no word from the AIFF. “ Forget replying. They should  at least have had the decency of confirming the receipt of the letter. There is no word from Mr. Praful Patels office nor from the genral secretary Kushal  Das,” stated a bemused Elvis Gomes.

Numerous attempts to get in touch with Kushal das  through the day, proved futile. “Switched Off” was the message received till the time of getting published.