All India Football Federation (AIFF) on July 10 commenced the virtual session of the first batch of the AIFF Masters Programme.
AIFF Masters will be providing the students with complete hands-on experiential training in every aspect of football in India and abroad through live tournament exposure, match staging, clubs and team management, data management, leadership and project management skills, contractual and legal obligations, sponsorship marketing and business communication as well.
The students will get a unique opportunity to study in three cities over a year – New Delhi, Mumbai and Cadiz (Spain). The multi-campus approach is set to ensure maximum exposure for the students to learn and develop within the different national and international eco-systems of the game. The learning sessions will begin from tomorrow with online classes, under the guidelines issued by the Government of India, before moving to on-campus sessions from September onwards. The students will travel to Cadiz in Spain for a month next year for unparalleled access to the best practices in European Football Club Management.
Praful Patel, president AIFF, was present along with Subrata Dutta (Sr VP), Kushal Das (General Secretary), and all the HODs at the virtual inauguration of the batch. Enrique Perez, Corporate and Business Director, Cadiz CF, the Spanish club with whom AIFF has signed an MoU regarding the AIFF Masters Programme, attended the programme from Spain.
Patel highlighting the need for a new breed of football professionals in the country said, “This is a unique programme by the All India Football Federation. I’m really happy that the first batch is kick-starting in 2020. I know a lot of people are passionate about Football. But we don’t have more talented football administrators in our country. A new breed of football professionals is required, and hence, we took it upon ourselves to start this Masters Programme. The current situation is a bit difficult. I consider the world is moving in one particular direction, and so are we. We have to keep the pace and work accordingly. This too shall pass.”
There will be a lot of opportunities in India, and beyond India. With the comprehensive learning through this programme these opportunities will open up. Spanish language will be taught during the course and will go a long way in helping career advancement.
