New Delhi, September 01: A day after the national team retained the ONGC Nehru Cup title, Indian football received a boost from Coca Cola, the company announcing that it would sponsor the under-16 Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy.
The beverage company said Tuesday its association with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is the first step to promote football at the grassroots level.
Coca Cola’s president and chief executive Atul Singh said 16 best players would be chosen for the Coca-Cola International Football Camp during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa in June.
The tournament will be played in all states of India and over 400 districts involving more than 6000 youngsters. State teams will play zonal competitions and the two best teams for four zones will qualify for the final rounds. The eight teams will meet the hosts state and the defending champions in the final round, which will see 10 teams fighting it out for the top title.
AIFF talent spotters will short-list 40 promising young players and they would be groomed for the national under-16 team.
AIFF president in-charge Praful Patel said: “A vibrant sporting culture and enthusiasm for sports is therefore an obvious corollary to it. At AIFF, it is our endeavour to harness this strength by channelising the interest of the country’s youth towards football. I complement Coca-Cola India for focusing its resources for the glory of Indian football.”
–Agencies