AFC sets up new committee for Indian football

KUALA LUMPUR - The Asian Football Federation (AFF) has set-up an ad-hoc committee under the chairmanship of president Mohammed bin Hammam to boost the development of Indian football.

The formation of the new body was approved by the AFF executive committee meeting here last week.

All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel is the vice chairman of the committee, which also has representatives of different I-League clubs.

Pronab Das Gupta (president of East Bengal), Alan Durante (president of Mahindra United), Larsing Sawyan (owner of Shillong Lajong) and Joaquim Alemao (president of Churchill Brothers) will be representing I-League clubs in the new committee.

The other members of the committee are Manilal Fernando (AFC Vice President), Alberto Colaco (general secretary of AIFF and chairman of I-League committee), Thierry Regenass (director of member associations and development division of FIFA) and Michelle Chai (AFC Vision Asia director).

The first meeting of the committee will take place April 24, in Doha, on the eve of the 2011 Asian Cup finals draw ceremony. India have qualified for the Asian Cup after 24 years.