AIFF President Confident in Khalid Jamil to Elevate Indian Football

Bengaluru, Aug 25 (PTI) AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey is optimistic about India's newly appointed head coach, Khalid Jamil, and his potential to rejuvenate the national football team's performance following a series of subpar outcomes over recent years. Jamil, who took over from Manolo Márquez, recently announced his 23-member squad for the upcoming CAFA Nations Cup, marking his first official venture with the national side.

When questioned about expectations from Jamil, Chaubey expressed confidence, noting that Jamil has twice been recognized as the best coach in Indian football, a commendation especially noteworthy amidst the backdrop of numerous foreign coaches in tournaments like the ISL. "It's a moment of great pride that after two decades, an Indian has the opportunity to showcase his capabilities," he added.

Jamil's appointment is backed by former players including IM Vijayan, Shabir Ali, and Climax Lawrence, who are on the federation’s technical committee. Chaubey further highlighted Jamil's understanding of Indian players’ mentalities and challenges, expressing optimism that his past success in club competitions would translate to the international platform. "Khalid is focused on approaching the task one match at a time, and I believe he will showcase his expertise with the national team," Chaubey stated.

He also acknowledged the challenges facing Indian football, particularly concerning the ISL, post the July 11 announcement from FSDL about suspending the 2025-26 season due to uncertainties in renewing the Master Rights Agreement with AIFF. This has led to disruptions for three clubs, affecting player operations and staff salaries. Despite these hurdles, Chaubey remains committed to finding solutions alongside stakeholders, banking on collective support when the proposal is presented to the Supreme Court before the transfer window closes on August 31.

Meanwhile, NA Haris, AIFF vice president and president of Karnataka State Football Association, expressed his dismay over the Sree Kanteerava Stadium's inability to meet AFC standards for hosting the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier between India and Singapore on October 14. The AFC has requested an alternate venue from the AIFF, citing the stadium's multifunctional use as a hindrance to exclusive football preparations. However, Haris assured stakeholders of Karnataka’s plans to develop a dedicated football stadium in Bangalore. Reflecting on India's current performance, the national team occupies the bottom spot in the group, trailing Singapore ahead of their away match on October 9.

Overall, the AIFF's leadership is determined to navigate the current challenges with a focus on elevating Indian football to greater heights.

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