FIFA sanctions 10 artificial pitches for India

As part of the 'Win in India with India' programme launched by FIFA President Sepp Blatter in 2007, the football's world governing body has sanctioned 10 international standard artificial turf fields to the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

"We have suggested to FIFA to install the fields in different parts of the country. One of the proposed places is Goa," AIFF general secretary Alberto Colaco wrote recently to the Goa Football Association (GFA), the association's secretary Savio Messais said.

The AIFF is understood to have picked states where the I-League clubs are based and where the ambitious Asian Football Confederation programme 'Vision India' is being implemented to lay the turfs, the GFA secretary said.

States like Goa, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Manipur, Punjab, Delhi, Sikkim, Maharashtra and Karnataka stand a good chance to get the turfs, he said.

FIFA is expected to handle the project independently in terms of bidding process, contract signing and testing. A seminar to educate member associations on how to maintain the quality of the artificial surfaces is also on the cards, the letter by Colaco to the GFA said.

Each artificial turf is expected to cost a minimum of Rs four crore, it said.

"The 'Win in India with India' programme supports the development of the national team, particularly in regards to infrastructure management and licensing.

A similar project is being undertaken in Africa where a total of USD 70 million will be spent on 'Win in Africa with Africa', with USD 38m being spent on laying artificial pitches, the letter said.

FIFA will pick one from the four artificial turf companies contracted to them -- Field Turf (Canada), Limonta (Italy), Greenfields (Holland) and Act Global (New Zealand) to lay the all-weather turf.