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24.05.2008 : Kolkata :In the year 2005,Bayern Munich top reserves team managed by Gerd Muller came to India to take part in the 111th IFA shield which they won.The person who was responsible for getting that team in India was then IFA Hony.Secretary Subrata Dutta, now the AIFF Vice-President. Now its time for the senior team to come to the city of joy on 25th May,2008. The Bavarian team will take on the Mariners on 27th May,2008 in an Exhibition Match organized by Bengal Peerless & IFA.
We caught up with Mr. Subrata Dutta, Vice-President, AIFF(All India Football Federation) for his views on FC Bayern coming to India & other questions on Indian Football.Here are the following excerpts: Interview Taken By : Abhishek Bhattacharyya • On Bayern Munich coming to India SUBRATA DUTTA :It’s one of the greatest thing that will be happening to Indian football. Our football will be hugely boosted with the visit of this Bavarian team. Our youngsters can learn a lot of things by seeing them playing in this match.The popularity of the game will surely rise in India with their visit. We can also improve our infrastructure & our playing standards with their assistance.The management of FC Bayern Munich club will be helping us in building up an Academy in Burdhwan.After this match many more European teams will be interested to visit India,one of the fastest growing economies. •On Oliver Kahn playing his last professional Match SUBRATA DUTTA :He is an icon not only for European Football but also for World Football.He is one of the best in the business & it’s a dream come true for all of us to have him in India.It will be my honour to felicitate him on May,27th and my dream will come true of meeting “King Kahn”. • On hurdles that AIFF created for the Organisers of this match & his role on removing those hurdles. SUBRATA DUTTA :The organizer Bengal Peerless informed AIFF after everything was finalised. The rulebook says that you cannot organize any kind of match without receiving the green signal from the Governing body.i.e.AIFF. They went on negotiating on their own.That’s why they earned the wrath of AIFF.It was followed by a huge sum of levy being asked by AIFF as an Organizing fee.If today something happens to Bayern in Kolkata,FIFA will take action against AIFF. That why I have to come into action immediately. I explained it to the governing body that we should appreciate their attempt of promoting Indian Football.By that time the Organizers realised their mistake & negotiated in right manner with AIFF and so we have a match in hand on May,27th in Salt Lake Stadium. • On Mohun Bagan’s chances of causing an upset SUBRATA DUTTA :Let’s not expect anything like that.I am just looking forward to enjoy the game. • On marketing Indian football SUBRATA DUTTA :Marketing depends on two factors Packaging & Branding.Football marketing is a different ball game.We want middle class & common people to come to Football stadia because they affect the decision making & also has the purchasing power.If we succeed to do so then the sponsors will take a note of it & will try to market their product in a proper manner and then only our Football will be commercialized.
• On Upcoming AIFF Projects SUBRATA DUTTA :We are going to launch the Goal Project & Vision Project in West Bengal and Goa,the two important footballing states of our country and I hope it will surely help in building our football infrastructure. • A Messege to the Indian Football fans SUBRATA DUTTA :Enjoy the game & be passionate about it.Be with Football because we talk cricket but we argue football. |
