FIFA asks AIFF to ensure members amend constitution

New Delhi, May 27 (IANS) FIFA is putting pressure on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to make sure that all member associations amend their constitutions in accordance with the national federation and the world body.

A FIFA delegation comprising Fredric Guillemont, senior manager performance programme, and regional development officer Shaji Prabhakran, met AIFF secretary general Kushal Das here Tuesday to discuss the issues of governance in the member associations.

Das told IANS that all 33 member associations, including Indian Football Association (IFA), have to amend their constitution but it would be done in a phased manner.

The IFA, which is the governing body of the sports in West Bengal, is the oldest football body in the country and was formed in 1893, 44 years before the AIFF was set-up.

"None of the 33 association's constitution, including that of the IFA, have their constitution in accordance with that of the AIFF or FIFA. These associations have life members and it is not acceptable to AIFF," Das told IANS.

Prabhakaran told IANS that the FIFA was concerned with the problems of governance, administration and development in the Indian states.

"States are key stake holders in the development of Indian football. We have to address the issues of governance, development and administration in the states so that the development projects in the states are not hampered," he said.

Das said that it was not possible to ask all the member associations to amend their constitutions at one go and it would done only in a phased manner.

"We will select six-seven states in the first phase. But by next years we have to make sure that all the members constitutions have amended their constitution accordingly," he said.