The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, OCT 11, 2022
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Football Association of Odisha (FAO) felicitated FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura here on Tuesday.
“I had first come to India as a fresh graduate when I was working for IFCO and had the opportunity to see your country then. With pleasure, I stand here again, and it’s good to see that the AIFF has ensured football takes the centrepiece in India,” said Samoura in reply to the felicitation.
“With the population that India has, we are sure that it won’t be long before we see your country lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy. But what would be more pleasing to see is if your women’s team does it,” Samoura said.
“The FIFA President (Gianni Infantino) has also heard your request of hosting other senior competitions with other Member Associations, and I know you have the commitment, capacity, and stamina to do so in a grand manner,” she informed.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, Secretary General Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran, Treasurer Kipa Ajay, FAO Secretary Asirbad Behera, along with members of the AIFF’s Executive Committee and a number of former and current India International footballers were present at the felicitation programme.
