AFC talks tough with DSA

The Asian Football Confederation has ‘firmly’ instructed the Delhi Soccer Association to pull up its socks in order to set the ball rolling for the success of the Delhi leg of the ‘Vision India’ project.

The Asian Football Confederation has ‘firmly’ instructed the Delhi Soccer Association to pull up its socks in order to set the ball rolling for the success of the Delhi leg of the ‘Vision India’ project.

An AFC delegation lead by Brendan Menton, acting director of Vision Asia, met the officials of Delhi based clubs and the DSA at Dr Ambedkar Stadium today.

Menton expressed his displeasure over the sluggish pace of the Delhi project over the past two years and asked the DSA to make sure that the proposed

Elite League, which has already been deferred twice, starts by September.

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“We very well understand the limitations faced by the DSA and appreciate it. But now it has come to a stage where it is imperative to start the Elite League by September if we want the Delhi project to succeed,” Menton told The Sunday Express on the sidelines a meeting with DSA officials.

The Delhi leg of AFC’s Vision India project has been a far cry from the Manipur leg, that has already successfully completed its first season of professional football league. “They have shown what can be achieved with sheer intent and good leadership, Delhi can take a leaf out of their book,” said Menton.

The AFC has decided to relax its norms for the clubs to participate in the Elite League to accommodate maximum numbers in its fold. “They have improved from where they were two years back, but now is the time for deeds and I hope the clubs will make a written commitment to cooperate to the best of their ability to make this project a success,” Menton added.

DSA secretary, N K Bhatia, assured that the body will prepare in all earnest to meet the September deadline. “This is our last opportunity to resurrect the fortunes of football in the Capital and we don’t want to let it go abegging. I will just appeal to all concerned to put aside the differences and work together to meet the expectations of people who have reposed faith in us,” said Bhatia.