Chelsea CEO Peter Kenyon in a press briefing stated his desire to build a better a relationship between the English Premier League club and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to help develop Indian football especially in the skill development areas.Kenyon arrived in India on Monday morning and met the AIFF general secretary Alberto Colaco and Indian national team coach Bob Houghton in Goa. In a press briefing Kenyon mentioned that India’s economic rise as a global powerhouse cannot be ignored.
“Indian football is better structured and there are exciting developments happening in this part of the world and I-League for sure is one of them,” Kenyon was quoted saying.
On being asked the subject of his discussions with the Indian FA, Kenyon said, “There have been no specific areas of discussion but, as a club, we have a series of skills areas we would like to explore.”
The 54 year old also pointed that nothing has been formalized with the Indian FA as they two organizations are looking at a long term tie-up.
This is Kenyon’s third visit in a year or so to India. He first came in November last year alongwith the then Mayor of London Ken Livingstone.
Kenyon had then requested the AIFF to ‘identify various areas in which Chelsea to work with the AIFF and the clubs’, according to Mr.Colaco.
Indian national team coach Bob Houghton was pleased with the talks with the Chelsea boss. “They (Chelsea) are a great example of big football while India is developing football world and we ought to derive maximum benefit from them as it can set a great example for football in India.”
Source:Goal.com
