NEW DELHI, April 17 (PTI): The All India Football Federation will take a final decision on April 24 on the ambitious ‘Goal 2011’ Project which envisages 27 players training continuously under national coach Bob Houghton for 19 months from July to prepare for the 2011 Asian Cup without any club commitments.
After a meeting of I-League club representatives with the AIFF top brass here today, Houghton said the clubs were “generally supportive” of the Project though they have reservations on some matters.
Under this plan which is expected to cost the AIFF Rs 400 million, 27 players will be barred from playing any domestic tournaments, including I-League and Federation Cup, for two seasons to prepare for the Asian Cup which will be held in Doha in January 2011.
They will train under Houghton from July 2009 onwards and will receive the same salary they were getting from their clubs from the AIFF.
“We have heard views of club representatives and they are generally supportive of the plan. They want the betterment of Indian football. They know that 2011 Asian Cup is very important for Indian football. AIFF Executive Committee will take a decision on April 24,” Houghton said after the meeting.
Out of the 12 I-League teams this season, nine – Dempo, Churchill Brothers, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammedan Sporting, JCT, Mahindra United, Air India and Mumbai FC – have agreed the plan in principle.
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