23 October 2008

No football academy for now: Chelsea CEO

MARGAO, OCT 21
One of the leading lights of the world soccer, Chelsea Football Club Chief Executive Officer Peter Kenyon on an invitation from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) made an unofficial visit at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Tuesday morning.

Kenyon who kicked off the Salcete Football Club’s Elvino Lawrence Memorial Football Festival at SAG Sports Complex, Fatorda, today, disclosed that his visit to the state was purely based for the promotion and development of the game.

While taking to media person, Chelsea CEO said that there was nothing official about an agreement with the All India Football Federation but felt both the parties could sit across and decide about the future.

On further prodding, Kenyon who was the masterminded in the revolution at Stamford Bridge disclosed that the Blues will not set up a football academy nor the former EPL Champions will make an earlier visit to the country.

“The football academy cannot be set up of now; it cannot be done in hurry. So, it’s not possible and Chelsea will not be able to play here in India,” said Kenyon.

Kenyon’s words certainly will come a big disappointment to the massive Chelsea followers who were hoping for some football magic from the boots of Frank Lampard, John Terry, Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack, Florent Malouda, Michael Essien, Joe Cole and Deco.

The world’s highest paid football executive was impressed by the I-League set up in India and urged that the clubs should be more professional. He suggested that steps should be taken by the Indian clubs to take football to great heights. The clubs form the backbone of football and they should take the initiate to infuse more professionalism. “The right approach towards the game will only lead to the betterment of football,” Kenyon added.

Under the leadership of Kenyon, the Chelsea football club has been transformed and he is widely regarded as one of the world’s soccer leading executives with an unparalleled network of contacts across FIFA, UEFA and the commercial world.

Peter Kenyon was instrumental in the clubs two record commercial deals - a new shirt sponsorship with Samsung, the biggest in Premiership history at the time and a new kit supplier together deal with Adidas worth around 96m pounds over 8 years.

Most importantly on the field Chelsea won the Premiership, Carlin Cup, FA Community shield in the 2004-05 season and a second successive Premiership in 2005-06.
The Federation Secretary Alberto Colaco said that the Federation would lay more emphasis on Administration and systematic coaching.

The chief Indian Coach Bob Houghton who was also present echoed his feelings and said that the expertises of the sport would further help to improvise Indian Football.

The All India Football Federation had signed an MOU with Bundesliga, protocol with Portuguese Professional League and also sought help from the Brazilian Football Federation to bring professionalism in Indian soccer. India is one the seven pilot countries in the Vision Asia development projects along with neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Oman, Vietnam and China.

Among those present for the press briefing were GFA President Joaquim Alemao and Ben Wells Profile, Head of Sponsorship, Chelsea Football Club.

Source:oheraldo.in