| AFC | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Founded | 1937 |
| FIFA affiliation | 1948 |
| AFC affiliation | 1954 |
| President | Praful Patel |
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is the organisation which manages the game of football in India. It administers the running of the national team and also controls the I-League, India's premier domestic club competition, in addition to various other competitions.
The AIFF was founded in 1937, and gained FIFA affiliation in the year 1948, after India's independence in 1947.
India was one of the founder members of the Asian Football Confederation when it was set up in 1954.
History
Before the AIFF
India lacked a structured national football organisation before the foundation of the AIFF, with only a few provincial associations administering the sport regionally. Indian Football Association (IFA), the association governing football in the state of West Bengal, was recognised as the sport's de-facto governing body. The IFA at this time was affiliated to The FA, the football association of England, and hence, all foreign tours were organised by the former.
Foundation
On the 23 June 1937 at the Army Headquarters, Shimla, the capital of the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh in India, the AIFF was formed at a meeting of the representatives of football associations of six regions where the game was very popular in those days. The six regions which attended that historic meeting were Indian Football Association (IFA)- (the ruling body of the game in Bengal), Army Sports Control Board, United Provinces, Bihar, North West India Football Association and Delhi. Before the birth of AIFF, there was no properly constituted national organisation. However the IFA, the oldest association of its kind in the country, was recognised by football lovers throughout the country, as the ruling body of football in the country. So the AIFF had in the IFA a forerunner that dates backs to 1893. In its formative years Englishmen dominated the executive committee of the IFA. In fact the only Indian representative was Kalicharan Mitra from the Sobhabazar Club. Methodical organisation and sustained efforts to promote the game in Bengal, made the IFA the premier football body in the country in the early decades of the 20th century. For all practical purposes it was the national controlling body largely because the IFA was affiliated to the Football Association of England. Hence all foreign tours were conducted by the IFA. Also all the foreign teams negotiated with the IFA for visits to India and matches in Calcutta and other cities in India.
There were not very many football associations in the provinces of the country. The IFA however, felt they should endeavour to form a national body. Accordingly they invited representatives of other provincial football associations then in existence, at a conference in Darbhanga in 1935. The conference was presided over by the (late) Maharaja of Santosh, then president of the IFA and representatives of IFA, Assam, Bihar, United Provinces, Delhi, Mysore and Bombay Presidency were present. The conference, however, proves abortive and a sharp difference of opinion cropped up with the result, the IFA delegates (late) SN Banerjee and (late) Pankaj Gupta left the conference in protest along with the Maharaja of Santosh.
The remaining delegates, however, formed a body and styled it as 'All India Football Association' with the Raja Bahadur of Darbhanga and Rai Bahadur JP Sinha honorary secretary. The IFA and the Army Sports Control Board did not join this body and there had been a deadlock. The IFA, however, made another effort to dissolve the deadlock and sent Mr Pankaj Gupta to Delhi to confer with Brigadier VHB Majendine, the then president of the Army Sports Control Board. This meeting took place early March 1937 and Messrs Majendine and Gupta drew up a formula which ultimately led to the formation of the All India Football Federation.
It was agreed at the Delhi talks between Messrs Gupta and Majendine that a conference should be called by the Army Sports Control Board towards the end of March at Delhi in which three representatives of the IFA and three representatives of the All India Football Association would be present.
The conference accordingly took place on 27 March 1937 at New Delhi. It was attended on behalf of the IFA by late Mr SN Banerjee, Bar-at-Law (who subsequently became the president of IFA in 1940), Mr Pankaj Gupta, who at that juncture was the joint honorary secretary of the IFA and Mr HN Nicholls (vice president, IFA who subsequently became the president of IFA in 1939). Others to attend the conference were Mr Badrul Islam (Delhi), HE Brandon (Bombay) and Rai Bahadur JP Sinha (honorary secretary, All India Football Association - AIFA) represented AIFA. Brigadier VHB Majendine presided at this meeting as chairman. At this conference it was agreed to liquidate the All India Football Association and instead to form an All India Football Federation (AIFF) with one representative from each affiliated association and two each from IFA and ASCB.
Messrs P Gupta and Brandon were entrusted to draft the rules of the new federation to be placed for consideration at the inaugural meeting to be held at Shimla on the 23rd June 1937. At this inaugural meeting the following office-bearers were elected: President: Brigadier VHB Mejendine, DSO (ASCB). Hon Secretary: Major A.C. Wilson (ASCB), Hon Treasurer: Pankaj Gupta (IFA).
Squad
The current Indian football squad consists of:
Member Associations
State Football Associations
There are thirty three State Associations affiliated to the AIFF. Besides, the Services and Railways Sports Control Boards and the Women's Committee are affiliated units. Three provisionally affiliated State Associations are waiting for final recognition.
The State Associations have their own constitution and structure. Sometimes, their regulations are not in conformity with the AIFF regulations.
Depending on the size of the State, the State Associations have district associations affiliated to them. Clubs are affiliated to the district associations. In smaller States the Clubs are directly affiliated to the State Association.
Each State conducts its own competitions. Competitions are at district level. There are also inter-district competitions.
There is a lot of disparity in the functioning of the State Associations.
A few State Associations, which have the resources, have well equipped and well staffed office. Some have just one room office where the Secretary or any other office bearer comes after the office hours of his regular work/job.
1) Andaman & Nicobar Football Association
Netaji Stadium, Gymkhana Ground Portblair 744 104 President: Mr. Manoranjan Bagta Secretary Mr. Abdul Azeem Phone: 03192-255256, 229616 Fax 03192-230398
2) Andhra Pradesh Football Association
Nasr School; gachibowli Tel: 123456789 987654321
3) Arunachal Pradesh Football Association
Rajiv Gandhi Stadium Nahariagun, Itanagar Arunachal Pradesh 791110 President: Jarbom Gamlin(Home Minister) Secretary: Mr. G. Doke, 09436050276 Tel : 0360-2245235 Telefax: 0360-2244771 Email:reg-stadium@rediffmail.com
4) Assam Football Association
Rajamaidan Road Jorhat – 785 001 Assam President: Mr. Hemendra Nath Brahma Secretary: Mr. Ankur Dutta, Mobile: 09435050555 Tel: 0361-2527990 Fax: 0361-2523954
5) Bihar Football Association
Husain House Tekari Road, Pather-Ki-Masjid P.O. Mahendru, P.S. Sultangunj Patna-800006 President: Mr. Arjun Bikram Sah, 06254-2227175 Secretary: Mr. S. Ejaz Husain Tel-0612-2670425 Fax- 0612-2669501, 2667067
6) Chandigarh Football Association
Flat No. 3216, Sector Ten chandigarh House Building Society , Sector 50 D Chandigarh 160 022 President: Mr. Vinod Sharma Secretary: Mr. Rakesh Bakshi, mobile: 09872663039 Tel/fax:
7) Chattisgarh Football Association
Qr NO. 10/A, Street No. 6 Sector 10, Bhilai-490 006(C.G.) Chhattisgarh President: Mr. Ram Nivas, I.P.S. Secretary: Mr. G.D.Gandhi
8) Daman & Diu Football Association
Ferreiros Road Moti Daman Daman-396 220 President: Mr. Ashok Khemani Secretary: Mr. Franco L.S. Miranda, Mobile: 09825123429 Tel: 0260-2230470 Fax: 0260-2241673, 2241673 email de_mirandarediffmail
9)Delhi Soccer Association
Dr. Ambedkar Stadium Gate NO. 1, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg New Delhi-110 002 President: Mr. Subash Chopra Secretary: Mr. narender kumar bhatiya 09811447274 Tel- 011-23351604 Fax: 011-23351604
10) Goa Football Association
5th Floor, Atmaram Commercial Complex Opp. Nova Goa Hotel, Panjim-Goa 403 001 President: Mr. Joaquim Alemao Secretary: Mr. Savio Messias, 09823056261 Tel: 0832-2234181, 2234182, 2225532 Fax: 0832-2420837 Email: gfa_goals@yahoo.com
11) Gujarat State Football Association
“Avantika Apartment” Opp. Rokadnath Society Race Course Circle, Lions Hall Lane Vadodara- 390 007 Gujarat President: Rev. Father O. Coutinho, 09850493236 Secretary: Mr. Hardev J. Jadeja, 09879522493 Tel: 02662-222493, 222735 Fax: 02662-222493 Email rumikaengg@satyam.net.in
12) Haryana Football Association
H. No. 9, HVPNL Colony, Jharsa Road Gurgaon Haryana President: Mr. Deepender Huda Secretary: Mr. Sunil Bhardwaj, 09810618217 Tel: 0124-2329250(R) Fax: 0124-2391279, 2303333(PP),2320508
13) Himachal Pradesh Football Association
282/6 Moti Bazar solan (HP) 175 001 Himachal Pradesh President: mr. arun sahrma Secretary: Mr. Kailash Mitter Tiwari, 09418022043 Tel: 01905-222043 Fax: 01905-222043.
14) Indian Football Association (IFA)
11/1, Sooterkin Street Kolkatta-700072 West Bengal President Mr. Satyabrata Ganguly Secretary: Mr. Utpal Kumar Ganguli , Tel: 033-22252378, 22152207, 22345814 Fax:033-22251412 email: indainfootballassociation@hotmail.com
15) Jammu & Kashmir Football Association
Res. of Saraiballa, Amira Kadal, Near Iqra masjid Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir 190 001 President: Mr. Zameer A. Thakur, 09419001456 , 0194-2451661 Secretary: Mr. Bashir Ahmad Malik, 09419063202 Tel: 0194-2431250 Fax: 0194-2471180, 2470328 C: Mr. Satish Pillai, 09431301816
16) Jharkhand Football Association
Near Mecca Masjid, New Road, Post Office Bhandaridih Distt. Giridih Jharkhand Secretary: Ghulam Rabbani Tel: 0657-2221736 Fax: 0657-2431141
17) Karnataka State Football Association
Bangalore Football Stadium Ashok Nagar Bangalore-560 025 President: Mr. A.R. Khaleel, 09845039522 Secretary Mr. E. Krishnarayan Tel: 080-25512996, 25593873 Fax: 080-25554281 E: arkhaleel_jr@yahoo.com SAI Bangalore – 080-23215214 24369400-249 Department of personal
18) Kerala Football Association
Mather Square 6th Floor Opp. Town Railway Station Cochin 682 018 Kerala President Mr. K.M.I. Mather, 09846050002 Secretary Mr. K.P. Sunny, 09846077757 Tel: 0484-2395568 Fax: 0484-2395451 Email:kfa@rediffmail.com
19) Madhya Pradesh Football Association
Wright Town Stadium 488, Beoharbag Jabalpur-482 002 President: Mr. Mahesh Joshi, 9425081418? Secretary: Mr. A.R. Dev, 09827284569 Tel: 0761-2412607, 2313416 Fax: 0761 2323416
20) Meghalaya Football Association
Weights And Measures Office Temple Road, Lower Lachumiere Shillong 793 001 Meghalaya President: Minister Sports-Meghalaya Secretary: Mr. B. Diengdoh, 09436111277 Tel: 0364-2221537, 2222576 Fax: 0364-2590496
21) All Manipur Football Association
Mapal Kangjeibung Imphal 795 001 Manipur President Mr. A Santoshkumar Singh Secretary Mr. Ranjit Roy, 09436039605 Tel: 0385-2440992, 2411936 Fax 0385-2452226 E: amfa@neline.com
22) Mizoram Football Association
Above D’lite Enterprise Canteen Square Dawrpui Aizawl 796 001 Mizoram President: Wg. Cdr. J. Lalhmingliana, 09436146585 Secretary: Mr. Lalremtluanga, 09436153658 Tel: 0389-2318028 Fax: 0389-2325069
23) Nagaland Football Association
Kohima 797 001 Nagaland President Mr. Z. Obed Secretary: Mr. P. Atuo Mezhur, 09436005401 Tel: 0370-2222081 Fax 0370-2221210
24) Orissa Football Association
Barabati Stadium Cuttack-753 005 President: H’ble Chief Minister of Orissa Secretary: Mr. M.A. Alam, 09861063816 Tel: 0671-2321451 Fax: 0671-2329011, 2301702
25) Pondicherry Football Association
Anna Salai, Anna Thidal Pondicherry 605 001 President: Mr. Lion S. Selvaganthi Secretary: Mr. V. Balasubramaniam.09443371829 Tel: 0413-2201829 Fax 0413-2201829
26) Punjab Football Association
C/o JCT Mills Ltd G.T. Road Phagwara 144 401 Punjab President Mr. Samir Thapar, 09810045444 Secretary Mr. Inder Singh, 09872919629 Tel 01824-305000 to 305007(extn. 452) Fax: 01824-261191/266389 Email: punjabfa@jctphg.com/baliv@hotmail.com, punjab@hotmail.com
27) Railway Sports Promotion Board
Room No. 452, Rail Bhawan Raisina Road New Delhi-110 001 President Mr. Mr. K.C, Jena Secretary Mr. Rakesh Yadav, 9811993379 Tel 011-23381130, 23387554 Fax: 011 23387554
28)Rajasthan State Football Association
c/o Convenor 35, Nagnechi Screme, Pawanpuri-Bikaner Rajasthan
29) Services Sports Control Board
Armed Forces H.Q. G Block DHQ Post New Delhi-110 011 President: Maj Gen S.P. Singh Secretary:Col PK Muralidharan Raja ,SM Tel: 011-23011118 Fax 011-23793769 E: sscbindia@gmail.com
30) Sikkim Football Association
State Trading Corporation of Sikkim Building Deorali, Gangtok, Sikkim 737 101 President: Mr. Tempo Bhutia, 09434031100 Secretary: Mr. Menla Ethenpa, 09434031333 Tel: 03592-223573 Fax 03592-203666 E; fasikkim@hotmail.com
31)Tamilnadu Football Association
Room No. 73 Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium Chennai 600 003 President Mr. C.R. Visswanathan, 09840045484 Secretary Mr. T.R. Govindarajan Tel: 044-25389739, 25389399 Fax 044-25394833, 24991031
32) Tripura Football Association
Ramnagar Road No. 5, Sunity Bhaban P.O. Ramnagar, Agartala Tripura (W) 799 002 President: Mr. Pabitra Kar Secretary Mr. Dilip Chakraborty, 09436122956 Tel: 0381-2224286 Fax: 0381-2320432
33) Uttar Pradesh Football Sangh
54, Raja Bazar Varanasi 221 002 Uttar Pradesh President: Dr. Sanjay Singh Secretary: Mr. Mohd. Shamsuddin, 09336917057 Tel: 0542-2503248, 2344828, 2508758(Res) Fax 0542-2503248, 2509137
34) Uttaranchal State Football Association
Camp Office, Sports Stadium Haldwani (Distt. Nainital) Uttaranchal 263 139 President: Mr. Rajeev Mehta Secretary: Mr. Syed Akhtar Ali, 09412087643 Tel 05946-282043 Fax 05946-224670
35) The Western India Football Association(WIFA)
Cooperage Football Ground Maharashi Karve Road Mumbai-400 021 President Mr. Praful M Patel Secretary: Mr. K.M.Azhar Hussain, 09422160579 Tel: 022-22024020, 22848218 Fax: 022 22841663
Competitions
The AIFF runs several competitions:
- I League
- Federation Cup
- Durand Cup
- Santosh Trophy
- Dutta Ray Trophy (U-21 National Championship)
- B.C. Roy Trophy (U-19 National Championship)
- Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy (U-16 National Championship)
References
External links
- The AIFF official website
- The Indian Soccer website
- India page on official AFC website
- India at FIFA website
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