Thaindian News

By Abhishek Roy
New Delhi, Aug 26 (IANS) As the All India Football Federation (AIFF) gets down Sunday to select the new general secretary, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) vice-president Manilal Fernando feels that incumbent Alberto Colaco should continue in the interest of Indian football.

On a surprise two-day visit to India, the Sri Lankan business tycoon impressed upon AIFF’s stand-in president Praful Patel that Colaco’s departure at this juncture would be a big blow to Indian football.

Speaking to IANS on the sidelines of the ONGC Nehru Cup Tuesday, Fernando, a known bitter rival of AIFF’s ailing president Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi in the AFC, is believed to have told Patel that Colaco should stay and his office should be strengthened with a team of professional executives.

Colaco, a trusted lieutenant of Dasmunsi, told Patel in June that he would not like to continue as general secretary and the exercise to find a successor began.

Sri Lankan Fernando, who is also a FIFA development officer for South and Central Asia, said Colaco’s experience of eight years in office should be utilised when Indian football is in for quantum leap.

“I had a long chat with Mr. Patel on the future of Indian football. I think it is not the right time for Colaco to leave Indian football. He has been in the loop of things for the last eight years. And a change in the administration at this critical juncture could be fatal,” he said.

Colaco’s eight-year tenure as AIFF’s first professional general secretary will end by this month-end as a selection committee had already short-listed candidates for the job.

“AIFF should get professional staff to man the office of the general secretary. I feel Colaco has done a commendable job and he should carry on for some more time,” he said.

Colaco refused to comment on Fernando’s views, but said: “Lot of people now want me to stay.”

Fernando also said that the I-League committee must have hands-on chairman and CEO and Colaco can’t be doubling for everything in the federation.

“I-League should have a full-time chairman besides a CEO. I am happy that there will soon be a CEO. It’s time the league had a full-time chairman. I have suggested to Patel a eminent sports administrator’s name for the chairman’s post,” he said.

Asked whether it was Colaco’s name, Fernando said: “I can’t reveal you the name, but he is an Indian.”

Fernando said under Patel’s leadership Indian football is safe.

“We are trying to formulate a business plan for Indian football. In a short time Mr. Patel has brought in a lot of money for the development of the sport. He is a successful businessman and minister. His presence will certainly make a difference,” said Fernando.