Highlighting the shortcomings and problems afflicting Indian football, the Asian Football Confederation on Saturday suggested a total revamp in the structure and functioning of the All India Football Federation.
"There is a need for professionalism in Indian football, which is severely lacking. It should start from the apex body and state bodies should also follow," AFC secretary general Dato Peter Veelappan said after the conclusion of a three-day conference on Indian football.
Veelappan said there is an absolute lack of professionalism and coordination among those who are governing the sport in the country.
"It is high time that they become professional and behave like one," he noted.
The AFC general secretary said the AIFF will have to undergo drastic changes in it's structuring to make it efficient and result-oriented.
He wondered how the AIFF, the governing body for football in the country, is able to run without a proper constitution, rules and regulations.
"The proposed new constitution of the AIFF should clearly spell out its aims, objectives, rules and regulations with the state bodies having similar constitutions," he said.
Earlier, the AIFF assured the AFC that it will abide by its suggestions and recommendations.
"There are a lot of shortcomings and problems in Indian football, which have led to a decline in the sport. The FIFA/AFC study visit report has identified the grey areas and made recommendations... the corrective measures will be taken," AIFF president Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi told newspersons.
He said with FIFA and AFC's efforts, Indian football will soon undergo a change.
"The image of the Indian football will be very different... The FIFA and AFC will do everything necessary for the development of the sport and help AIFF carry out their recommendations," he added.
The 150-odd delegates, representing various state federations, promised to undertake the necessary changes in their working and attitude.
UNI
