(MENAFN- Gulf Times)
Qatar Football Association (QFA) president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani met All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey and Secretary-General Dr Shaji Prabhakaran in his office yesterday.
The meeting was also attended by vice-president of QFA Saud Abdulaziz al-Mohannadi, Secretary-General Mansour al-Ansari, Executive Director of the President's Office Ali Daoud and Executive Director of the Strategic and Institutional Development Office Mushtaq al-Waeli.
During the meeting, the Sheikh Hamad and other officials discussed a strategic alliance for the mutual benefit of football in both India and Qatar and ways to develop them between the two sides in a way that would positively benefit.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by QFA and AIFF. Chaubey, after the meeting, stated,“I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to the QFA President for his valuable time to discuss collaboration possibilities between India and Qatar. I am sure this would be beneficial to both countries in the long run.”
Both the AIFF President and Secretary-General had travelled to Doha earlier this week, and had on Friday, met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to discuss the way forward for Indian Football.
FIFA said Infantino discussed infrastructure, grassroots, men's and women's football development in India with the newly-elected AIFF president Chaubey.
After being elected as president in the September 2 elections of the AIFF, Chaubey – a former goalkeeper who has represented both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal in his playing days – revealed bold reform plans to develop football in India, with a strong focus on infrastructure, grassroots and women's football.
“(FIFA's support) is very essential, as they help to promote sport in India,” Chaubey said.“So, that's how we have spoken with the FIFA President and I am honoured that he has given his stamp and I'm happy and looking forward to FIFA and the All India Football Federation working together to take Indian football to international level. Mr Infantino has been really supportive and encouraging, and I hope that we will go a long, long way.”
The AIFF is preparing to host the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, which will be played across three cities and kicks off on October 11 and runs until October 30. In 2017, India hosted a record-breaking men's edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in which more than 1.2 million people attended the matches.
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