Indian Footballers’ Heartbreak Over FIFA Suspension
Indian Footballers’ Heartbreak Over FIFA Suspension: After FIFA suspended the All India Football Federation, a once in a lifetime opportunity for 42 under-17 girl students coached by Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation to play some special matches failed.
The chance for 42 teen girls from Navi Mumbai to play in special matches during the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2022 looks unlikely after the suspension of All India Football Federation.
Getting zero benefit from ₹3Cr worth of revamp work that cost the city lakhs of rupees, and sadly not having the stadium immediately made available for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The city had also painted murals around their football stadiums in order to get people’s attention to invite them in for the stadium until recently.
FIFA concluded that the AIFF needed to be removed from its responsibilities as it had been largely influenced by interfering third parties, which is a reference to the committee of administrators created by the Supreme Court.
While civic officials hope the suspension is lifted, uncertainty remains over whether students will be able to experience international-level games. Kajal Saroj, a 15-year-old player of NMMC school who was excited about getting free coaching in football earlier this year, is deeply disappointed.
This is a unique opportunity, and everyone was looking forward to participating. Moreover, the suspension worries me significantly because I’ll only be able to play this game once it’s over before graduating from my high school.
The civic administration had all of the plans in place to be the perfect host at this fantastic event, who will now find it difficult to not only unroll their plans but also find out if that is possible.
In 2018, NMMC has been consistently implementing important policy decisions to promote FIFA events. In April, NMMC hosted a football carnival with the local organisation committee which saw 500 students participate in the event.
This was a very prestigious event and therefore has many means to promote it. The reports of FIFA suspending this event have not been officially told to us so we still hope it won’t affect the matches that are going to take place in Kolkata during the football tournament. -Kolkata Municipal Sports Complex Commissioner Abhijit Bangar
The main focus this year was to increase traffic management, provide more parking spots, working on measures in case of any disaster and the overall sanitation system. The international delegates are expected to make their way to the city this year.
Since the majority of beautifying work at the football course had already been done in the previous FIFA events, we were looking to make the environment more hospitable by upgrading needed facilities and promoting more publicity.
The Indian Premier League is due to begin in a few days, and the grounds in Navi Mumbai can be ready for use in just 30 days. Even if FIFA decides to revoke its suspension, this will not disrupt the league as training could be conducted at three other venues as well.
Secretary of Thane Football Association, Sunil Poojari, describes the suspension as severely disappointing. Our association was involved with football promotion in Mumbai and even provided players for a women’s football league.
Some civic workers are now being trained to play the sport of softball with elementary school students in the Kogelo municipal area. I hope that all the girls who participate get their return games.