Praful Patel Biography

All India Football Federation (AIFF) celebrates its Platinum Jubilee recently. The event was graced by top delegates and dignitaries of the fraternity. The AIFF has honoured the veteran footballers of the 1962 Asian Games gold medal winning squad. Technical Director Rob Baan’s master plan was also unveiled at this function. 

This was a grand gathering graced by former stalwart footballers. Some of the members from the 1951 Asian Games Gold Medal winning squad were present along with some of the members from the 1962 team of Asian Games, although many could not attend due to health reasons. Chuni Goswamy who was the captain of 1962 squad was present at the occasion along with his fellow team mate P. K Banerjee. There were others too which included Prodyut Burman, Prasanta Sinha, Franco, Ethiraj, Afzal and Arumanayagam. AIFF President Praful Patel was there to present these legends a silver plaque and a shawl. 

Patel was pleased to be a part of this ceremony as he said, “It’s a personal honour to be a part of AIFF’s Platinum Jubilee Year. I always maintain that managing football is far more challenging than managing the ministry. We have to work that extra bit to achieve our goal. We have completed 75years, now we should set goals for the next 25 years.” He pledged the present players to work as a football family. He stressed that the organisation should emulate and exceed the feats of the yesteryears. He signed off saying, “I request our Dutch coaches to help us achieve our goal.”

Praful Patel contributions behind the present success of AIFF have been immense as he wanted the organisation should focus on refining the skills of the new players so that they can compete well with their global counterparts. The game should be reformed from the very elementary level and so extensively there should be implementation of grassroots programmes which will help the young players to have a clear perspective and also refine their performance skills.