New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) The FIFA World Cup has once again demonstrated football’s unmatched ability to unite billions across the globe, delivering unforgettable moments on and off the pitch. As the world gears up for the final between Argentina and Spain, the spotlight has also returned to a question that continues to haunt Indian football: why has a nation of more than 1.4 billion people still not qualified for the sport’s biggest event? For Shaji Prabhakaran, the answer is neither complicate…
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New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) Former general secretary of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Shaji Prabhakaran believes that India’s failure to qualify for a FIFA World Cup is not because of a lack of talent, population or potential, but because the country’s football ecosystem has not worked collectively and consistently enough towards that goal. Speaking exclusively to IANS about the reasons behind India’s prolonged absence from football’s biggest stage, Prabhakaran called for greater unity,…
New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) The 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is much more than a contest to crown the world’s best football team, according to the former general secretary of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), who believes the summit clash represents the sport’s unparalleled ability to unite people, cultures and nations while creating an impact that extends far beyond the field. Speaking exclusively to IANS ahead of the FIFA WC showdown, Prabhakaran said the tournam…
New Delhi, July 8 (IANS) The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Indian Super League (ISL) Managing Committee on Wednesday announced a significant restructuring of the league’s operational framework, with the clubs set to assume control of the competition’s commercial rights while the national federation retains administrative oversight and regulatory responsibilities.The announcement was made at a joint press conference attended by AIFF Deputy Secretary General M. Satyanarayan, Head of…
New Delhi, June 5 (IANS) Former All India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary Shaji Prabhakaran has urged India to transform its periodic FIFA World Cup enthusiasm into a sustained movement for football development, saying the country must celebrate the sport throughout the year rather than only during the multinational event every four years. In a column ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Prabhakaran said football becomes hugely popular in India every four years, but much of that intere…
New Delhi, May 24 (IANS) The AIFF strongly on Sunday denied the reports that appeared in the media regarding the release of players from Mohun Bagan SG to the Senior National Men’s team for the Unity Cup. “A club official has been quoted in the media that Mohun Bagan SG had written to the AIFF six days ago that the Federation should take responsibility if players get injured outside the FIFA window and alleged that we did not respond,” said AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan. “…
Imphal, April 30 (IANS) Zinc Football Academy (ZFA) played out a thrilling 2–2 draw with Mumbay FC in their second Group B fixture of the I-League 3, with a dramatic late equaliser capping off an intense contest at the SAI Turf Ground in Imphal.It was a game that tested character, and ZFA responded strongly after Mumbay FC used their experience and physicality to dictate the early tempo. Their direct approach, focused on long balls and winning second balls, posed immediate challenges for ZFA i…
New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) India, on Wednesday, became one of the 12 countries selected by FIFA for the FIFA Women’s Development Programme (Commercial Strategy 2026). The other countries include Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Scotland, Canada, Mexico, Finland, Ghana, Jordan, Lithuania, and Paraguay.India’s inclusion in the programme was confirmed by FIFA after an initial application by AIFF, which was followed by a detailed presentation of the commercial strategy and future plans. The pro…
Raipur, April 1 (IANS) Players from the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Ashram have helped Chhattisgarh surge into the knockouts of the ongoing Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026, underlining the institution’s growing influence in nurturing football talent from one of the country’s most remote regions.Established in 1986 with the aim of uplifting tribal communities, the ashram, located around 250 km from state capital Raipur, has quietly built a robust ecosystem combining education and spo…
Male, March 25 (IANS) With India men set to begin their SAFF U20 Championship campaign on Thursday, Mahesh Gawali spoke, reflecting on strengthening the pathway to the senior team, maintaining a consistent playing philosophy across age groups, and using the tournament as a platform to test the temperament of a promising group of young players.Indian U20 men arrived in the Maldives capital on Monday and will face Pakistan (March 26) and Bangladesh (March 28) in Group B. Gawali, who is also the In…