NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation's (AIFF) executive committee Wednesday approved the proposal of its development committee to provide a financial aid of Rs 24 lakh to each state association for all-round development of the sport.
The AIFF held its executive committee meeting in Gangtok.
"In it's effort to grow the game throughout the country, the executive committee accepted the development committee's proposal to provide financial support of Rs 24 lakh for each state association under the banner of the AIFF," the parent body said in a statement.
"This financial assistance may be utilised by the state associations for their women's, men's and youth leagues, office spaces, equipment, and grassroots development," it added.
The EC also approved the DC's recommendation that the AIFF provides support to each state association in the appointment of two key personnel for each state "to hire their respective administration heads and technical coordinators".
The executive committee approved a number of suggestions that were earlier forwarded to it by the competitions committee, the first of which was concerning the senior men's national football championship for Santosh Trophy.
"The legacy competition of Indian football will be played with the final round having 12 teams (10 qualifying states, along with the Services and the Railways).
"The group stages will be placed across six groups of five to six teams each, and the group toppers, along with two best second-placed teams, the hosts, the Services, and the Railways will play in the final round."
The EC also agreed with the competitions committee's suggestion that the senior women's nationals qualifiers be held in December.
AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey said, "I am very happy to see everyone has put their heads together for the development of Indian football. Both the AIFF and it's marketing partners are working together with all the stakeholders, and I would like to congratulate everyone on a splendid effort for the same."
The meeting began with the members observing two minutes silence in memory of those who died in recent times -- former referee Sumanta Ghosh, football fan Jayasankar Saha, and teenaged footballer Priya R.
This was the first the federation's executive meeting was held in the hill state.
"I see Sikkim is well planned and original to their love for football," Chaubey said.
Sikkim Football Association (SFA) president Menla Ethenpa added, "Thanks to the president (Chaubey) for choosing Sikkim because this is a shot in the arm."
The executive members also visited Tashi Namgyal Academy (TNA) ground where 300 new footballers are undergoing a coaching camp.
