India Football: AIFF to reportedly follow BCCI and give former players voting rights in state units
The Supreme Court appointed three-member Committee of Administrators (CoA) are reportedly looking to ensure that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) will employ an inclusive approach with more participation from former India players at the state level, including voting rights in the elections.
The AIFF could follow the process employed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) - who have mandated voting rights at the state unit elections for its former international players, with it being reported that the Federation have asked for details from all former India internationals, who have played five games in national colours and have retired from active football for at least two years.
"The idea is to have more former footballers in the administrative system. Suppose a player retires at the age of 38 from club football and had played five full international (not U-23) games for India. Then at 40, he will be eligible to at least be a part of a state body," the report stated.
The #SupremeCourt-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) for the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is considering making provisions in the constitution to include former footballers for the development of sport in the country. pic.twitter.com/4PrjdtKnxQ
— IANS (@ians_india) July 11, 2022
"All those former players, who have made the country proud but have not ever been made stakeholder even at the state level, could have more say and voice to change things once the new constitution is set in motion," it added.
The CoA is running out of time to implement a new constitution and conduct AIFF elections, as if it is not done soon - India might face a ban from FIFA and lose out on hosting the upcoming Under-17 FIFA Women's World Cup, scheduled for October.