New Delhi: Acknowledging that “sleeping giant” India is slowly waking up to its potential in football, FIFA president Sepp Blatter today said that there is scope for other sports in the country besides cricket.
In his 14th year as president of the world football governing body, Blatter wished to see India as a premier footballing nation before his mandate finishes in 2015.
“To wake up a sleeping giant you need several alarm clocks. We have set up several alarm clocks. My tenure ends in 2015 but I won’t leave FIFA until I see the sport established in the sub-continent of India,” Blatter told reporters here.
Blatter, accompanied by FIFA executive committee members Zhang Zilong, president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and Manilal Fernando, arrived here on Fridayto inspect the infrastructure in view of the Under-17 World Cup.
Referring to cricket, Blatter said, “There is space for other sports in India.”
Blatter felt Indian football has made improvements since his first visit to the country in 2007. “We are following very carefully developments of Indian football… have special people attached to India… have a FIFA development regional office in India.
He said USD 8 million has been invested in laying the (artificial) turf in places like Kolkata, Shillong, Bangalore, Mumbai and Imphal.
“Four national academies will be launched in Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. There will also be four regional academies,” he said.
Meanwhile, In yet another attempt to raise the profile of the sport in the country, India is set to bid for hosting rights of the glamorous 2015 Club World Cup, besides the Under-17 World Cup in 2017.
If it sees the light of day, the eight-team tournament, which was won by Barcelona last December, will also feature a an Indian club.
“We are bound by a contract with Europe and South America (to host the Club WC there). (But) We are finishing the cycle in 2012. The next Club WC is in Morocco, therefore there is a possibility for India,” Blatter said. As far as the U-17 World Cup was concerned, Blatter hoped that India’s bid would be received well by the FIFA executive committee. (PTI)