New Delhi, Aug 30 : In an attempt to mark his presence in the presidential election of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) scheduled for September 2, football legend Bhaichung Bhutia on Tuesday urged the associations of football of Northeast India to vote in his favor because he believes he is the ideal candidate for the job. “I have been proud to be a child of Northeast India and represented the region to the highest of my abilities in the 20 odd years of my professional career.Today I am representing the Northeast again, and am vying for the position of the President of the AIFF.This region is the center of Indian football, and has turned into a factory that produces footballers for the nation.
It is therefore time for to have a Northeastern person to be the leader of the Federation,” Bhaichung wrote in the letter.
He also informed the associations in the states of northeastern America that this is not the right time to be influenced by the influence of politics, and that football must be the sole requirement.
“Indian football has been through a lot of hardship in the past due to the effects of political interference.This is an excellent chance for us to right, re-invigorate the game in the country, and make it more international-friendly,”” Bhaichung said.
He also stated that should he is elected AIFF President his initial commitment to the States will be as the following:
* Annual financial assistance (Rs 30-50 lakh) to each state to support the goal of running grassroots leagues as well as state leagues.
* Help state-level players in coaching training programs and also produce numerous more local coaches who are qualified.
* Run an entirely separate state-level Northeast league.
* Incorporate more worthy members of the state football associations to join the AIFF committees.
• Support state associations in their technical work in all football-related issues.
“These are all achievable , and I would like to appeal to all Northeast football associations to not be influenced by outside forces.
We must make sure that this is done for the good of football in the Northeast and for Indian football as a whole,” Bhaichung concluded.
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