Liverpool FC’s commercial director Ian Ayre came calling to Pune on Monday with a mission to launch a development programme for Indian players, coaches and referees.

The Anfield Club has tied up with city-based Abhijit Kadam Football Development Centre and the new initiative is set to roll in September. “The aim is to get India to qualify for the 2018 World Cup,” said Ayre here on Monday.

The venture is a four-way tie-up with the Abhijeet Kadam Memorial Foundation, Cheshire-based international football company Kickworldwide, Bharati Vidyapeeth University for providing educational certifications, and the Merseyside Club.

“The key to footballing success of a nation is development of all facets of the game, coaching, refereeing, sports science, sports turf technology and football industry management,” said Steve Bellis, Director of Kickworldwide, emphasising the need for all-round development of the sport. Bellis was formerly commercial director of Stockport County FC, a club that currently plays the game in the third tie of England. He brought a turnaround in the club when he helped promote the ‘Hatters’ to the first division. He is of the view that good infrastructure plays a vital role in development of football and the objective of his company is to provide the same.

Many football clubs like Everton FC have looked to developing football academies in conjunction with leading corporate institutions, but the plans have failed to materialise. “Liverpool FC will spend time, how much ever it takes, for the development of football in India,” said Ayre.

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