Need to make sure there is a steady growth of football in India: Infantino

FIFA PRESIDENT Gianni Infantino, who was in Goa to attend the AFC Extraordinary Congress along with the officials and dignitaries of All India Football Association (AIFF) said in a media interaction that India has lot of potential and is passionate about football.

"India has always been mentioned as the 'Sleeping Giant'. But from what I have seen here I am sure that India is now the passionate giant of Football," Infantino said to PTI.

He further added,

"India is a passionate giant because I have been seeing the graph of development. The Mission Eleven Million which the AIFF is working on to indulge the youth is commendable. The passion of the people, of the fans, of the players, of the youth and the people associated with football is heart-warming and makes the future bright."

This was Infantino's first visit to India as the president of Fifa and he stressed upon the that there is steady growth of football in the country.

"Football is already one of the top sports of India and it is the number one sport for the Indian youth. We aim to make it the number one sport in India for everybody. Fifa together with AIFF has to develop football in India and we need to make sure that there is a steady growth of football in India."

While talking to TOI, he was asked can India host the U-20 World Cup in the future to which Infantino replied,

"There are chances but 210 other presidents ask me the same! Jokes aside, it is important to have a vision and look at the future. For Fifa, it is important that in a country like India which is more than a country - it's a continent with many cultures - it's important that we are not here just for an event, play and then bid goodbye. We have to develop together. We have to make sure there is steady growth in India."

He also stressed on how important is the development of the sport rather than just making money.

"The market or money generation should not be the ultimate objective. The objective has to be the development of football. If you develop football, the passion for football competitions, then money will come automatically. If you create something artificially, it will not work. We are not here just to make a little bit of money and then disappear."