'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
FIFA president Sepp Blatter surprisingly announced in Zurich that he would step down as the head of global football to allow a new beginning at FIFA, which most people around the world feel is a good and much-needed necessary step. But for some it might not be that good, like Indian football.
I will always remember one instance, were Joseph S. Blatter showed his open support for India to the world. In November 2007, on the day the new professional I-League kicked-off in India, Sepp Blatter in Johannesburg, in front of an international football gathering, mentioned India and used the phrase 'Sleeping Giant of world football' to describe India and not to forget them.
Trending
The international audience was surprised as he was talking about the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and its importance for Africa, the qualifiers and other matters of world football.
Why Sepp Blatter supports India
Simply put, Sepp Blatter was and is a big friend of India and Indian football. A lot of things have happened due to the support, suggestions and even interventions of the soon to step down FIFA president. If the new FIFA president continues in the same manner, one can only wait and see what happens.
To mention just a few of the things that Sepp Blatter has done for Indian football.
1) In 1995 as the then FIFA General Secretary, Blatter visited India and suggested to the AIFF to launch a pan-Indian league, which in December 1996 was launched as the National Football League.
2) As part of the FIFA GOAL Project, the AIFF Football House is planned, funded and then built in Dwarka, New Delhi.
3) In 2007, Blatter visits India for the first time as FIFA president. His famous quote of 'Sleeping Giant of world football' is made on that trip. Blatter assures Indian football of help and plants the seed for India to one day host one of the Youth FIFA World Cups and thereafter the Senior FIFA World Cup.
4) Following the visit the 'Win in India with India' programme is launched by FIFA, which grants India funds for numerous artificial turfs across the country and the full renovation of the Cooperage Stadium in Mumbai.
5) Blatter and FIFA experts advise India to transform the semi-professional National Football League into the professional I-League in 2007.
6) FIFA hands India the rights to host the 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
7) FIFA okays the creation of a special window for the Indian Super League (ISL) besides continuing with the I-League. Though the ISL is termed as a tournament by the organizers, India has two top tier leagues in a football season.
8) Special financial assistance has been given to the All India Football Federation by FIFA besides numerous development courses, technical manpower and more.
All of the above has happened due to the involvement of Sepp Blatter and the keen interest he has taken in India and Indian football. Surely one cannot forget that Blatter and FIFA see the population of India and the size of the market, but others rather want to stay away and want India to develop from the inside without proper outside support.
I know FIFA under Blatter wasn't and isn't the perfect institution, but I still wanted to give him the credit he deserves for what he has done for India and Indian football.
Hopefully the new FIFA leadership will continue to do so.
