The tradition has been maintained, as was revealed today. The federation, reeling under the mediocrity of a so-called professional league (the I-League), unveiled a Rs 100 crore programme, an international level football academy, in collaboration with Telecom giant Bharti Airtel.

With his usual panache, Dasmunsi explained how this could lead the country to the World Cup.

Work on the ambitious project—Bharti-AIFF Academy—is expected to start by March 31, “the deadline”.

At a media conference today it was also announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between AIFF and Bharti Airtel for the development of the sport in the country.

According to AIFF chief, today’s MoU is a “ten-year deal. The telecom giant is expected to pump in Rs 100 crore for the project.”

When asked what mileage is the corporate house was hoping to get from the sports project, Mittal showed optimism that India, which is not even in top 100 at the global level now, will make the cut for World cup. “This move will definitely gain momentum in coming years.

That will result in the national squad being qualifying for the global competition in 2018,” Mittal said.

The chief of the Telecom giant also disclosed that his company will want to be part of the I-league campaign in the future.

“We want the country to be among the leading nations in the football,” he added.

Bharti Airtel will also sponsor the under-16 national squad that gave a good account of themselves in the continental level competition to qualify for the main round to be held in October.

For the Bharti-AIFF academy, Goa will be the venue.

Haryana was the other state where it was proposed to set up the project, but Goa was given the go ahead. “Support from the government is also important,” said Dasmunsi.

However, AIFF chief didn’t divulge in the details of the academy, saying it will be on modern lines. “It will be on the pattern of football academies in Europe,” he said.

The concern remains. Majority of the academies across Europe are run by the leading clubs and their professional team is the major financial contributor for its youth development programme.

But in the AIFF-Bharti academy project, the federation is solely dependent on corporate money. If they back out before the actual term of ten years, will AIFF have adequate funds to carry on the ambitious project?

VITAL STATS

Some of the of the salient features of the proposed academy:

• At least six play grounds for 100 trainees that the AIF plans to select in the initial phase.

• Budding players will be selected in four age groups — 8-10 yrs, 11-13 yrs, 13-15 yrs, 15-18 yrs.

• In each group there will be at least 20 players.

• Spotting of talent will be the responsibility of the national clubs.

•The panel of coaches to oversee the training will be decided later.

• There will also be a tie-up with Premiership club Manchester United for advanced training