The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Football Association of Odisha (FAO) honoured FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura on Tuesday in Bhubaneswar.
Kalyan Chaubey, the president of the federation, Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran, the secretary general, Kipa Ajay, the treasurer, Asirbad Behera, the secretary of the FAO, members of the AIFF’s executive committee, and other former and present Indian national team players attended the ceremony.
Later, the FIFA Secretary General proceeded to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup opening day matches at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
After receiving the award, Samoura stated, “I had the opportunity to see your nation when I first came to India as a recent graduate and was working for IFCO. I’m glad to be back here, and it’s great to see that the AIFF has made football the main event in India.
“Given India’s size and population, we are confident that it won’t be long before we see your nation hoisting the FIFA World Cup trophy. However, it would be more satisfying to see if your women’s team succeeded, Samoura remarked.
“The FIFA President (Gianni Infantino) has also heard your request to hold other senior contests with other Member Associations, and I know you have the dedication, ability, and stamina to do so in a great manner,” Infantino said.
Additionally, the FIFA Secretary General briefly discussed the Football for Schools initiative that FIFA launched earlier this week in India with support from the AIFF, UNESCO, and the Indian government.
We anticipate Football for Schools’ introduction of young girls and boys to football in every district. With this programme, we hope to rekindle young interest in sports and instil in them the moral principles that will help them become better citizens in the future, the spokeswoman said.
The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup was lauded as a historic occasion that would inspire not only women’s football but also education, according to AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey.
We cannot compromise on these issues, according to Chaubey, who noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi places a lot of stress on the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao initiative.
“Young girls in India must have access to security, safety, and education. We are attempting to teach young females and improve their football talents at the same time for this reason. This is how we can support the expansion of women’s football.
Additionally, the AIFF President stated that the management of the Federation has identified the potentially sizable market for Indian football enthusiasts and would be
The AIFF President further stated that the management of the Federation has recognised the enormous potential market for Indian football fans and will be doing everything in its ability to expand it.
“India has 1.4 crore people, and a large portion of them support European teams. These clubs also travel to India with their goods in order to tap into this enormous market. We have also recognised the market’s potential and its opportunities, and we will collaborate with all of our stakeholders to provide the best possible platform for the descendants of the soil, added Chaubey.
Samoura was welcomed to India by AIFF Secretary General Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran, who also praised the Government of Odisha for its assistance to the country’s athletic community.
We must thank the Odisha Government for their ongoing support since Odisha is a place where sporting opportunities abound. Together, we will try to improve Indian Football because they have altered the terrain, declared Dr. Prabhakaran.
Prasanta Patnaik 
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