AIFF to grant Covid-19 solidarity fund of 3 crore to all state associations
The 2020-21 Indian football season is set to start in October
|The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has announced that it would grant a Covid-19 solidarity fund amounting to Rs 3 crore to all its state associations. The Indian football season is set to kick-off in October, with the Indian Super League to get underway in November, in Goa.
Football, along with other sports, has taken a huge blow due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with state associations finding it hard to meet ends financially. To tide over the situation, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Praful Patel, along with other officials, over a meeting, has decided to grant a sum of 3 crore to all its state associations as Covid-19 solidarity fund.
But, as per reports, the Western India Football Association (WIFA), of which Praful Patel is also the president and Indian Football Association (IFA), the West Bengal Governing body, have both decided to forego the fund. Meanwhile, the apex body also decided to waive off the CRS fees for all the players, which was to be paid to the AIFF, along with the Academy Accreditation fee for the 2020-21 season.
“The president granted a Rs. 3 crore Covid solidarity fund to help the state associations which will be discussed individually with the state FAs to understand their individual requirements,” stated AIFF in a release.
“The president also decided to waive off the CRS fees for all players — an amount of Rs. 1.32 crore which was to be paid to the AIFF, and also an amount of 34.5 lakhs for the Academy Accreditation fee for the 2020-21 season,” added the statement.
In spite of several hurdles, the Indian football season is set to kick-off in October, with the I-League to be entirely played in Kolkata, while the Indian Super League will get underway in late November, in Goa. AIFF President Praful Patel showed concerns over the current season, with the country still fighting with the virus, due to which the matches will be played behind closed doors.
“The Indian football season is all set to kick-off from October onwards. Despite the difficult situation we hope to move ahead with the planned calendar. But there’s always a doubt whether we would be able to conduct ourselves as planned,” said Praful Patel.
