AIFF plans to reverse ''brain-drain'' hailed

New Delhi, July 18 (UNI) India maybe grappling with brain-drain but AIFF plans to reverse the trend by luring home the expatriates making waves outside and the football federation's initiative received a thumping thumbs-up from former players who feel this might be just what the doctor ordered to revive the sagging fortune of the game.

All India Football Federation President Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi is, however, keeping the cards close to his chest and asked for details, he said, ''I'm not going to disclose anything about this. Premature assurances invite unwanted criticism.'' Englishman Bob Houghton, headhunted recently for the chief coach's job, is perceived as a key man because of his widespread contacts in the soccer world and he already has his eyes set on a number of players of Indian origins, including former Newcastle United player Michael Chopra.

''Besides, I've also identified four-five players in Holland who have Indian roots and we would like to convince them to play for their land of origin. Among them is one Prince Rajkumar, who represented the Holland under-20 team and is just 21-year-old,'' the coach said before leaving for his maiden assignment with the team in Vancouver where India plays a four-team tourney, also involving Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Cardiff City FC and the Chinese under-20 team. Houghton is expected to discuss the matter with Michael Chopra, who will be playing for Cardiff City in Vancouver.

Meanwhile, former India skipper Prasun Banerjee hailed the move and claimed it was he, who originally mooted the idea.

Talking to UNI over phone from Kolkata, Prasun said, ''Bob Houghton is saying something which I had raised three years ago, then as a national selector. Anyways better late than never. I had written to the AIFF President that we have to bring back those expatriates if we are to raise our level. But he later told me that it takes time for them to get the Indian citizenship and a change in law is necessary. That was the biggest hurdle but now with Mr Dasmunsi taking the initiative, things look feasible.'' He, however, warned that AIFF would need a big pocket to land the expatriates, who are well paid abroad.

''Lack of funds could well scuttle the move. We will have to cough up enough money to lure in the likes of Vikash Dhorasoo to leave Saint-Paris German and return to India. It's not going to be easy.

''But if you want to break into the elite league, you have to fuel your ambition and that means you have to spend enough money,'' he added.

Prasun, meanwhile, showered praise on Houghton and said the Indian reins were in safe hands and the Englishman might bring about a turnaround in the fortunes.

''Bob is a very. very good coach and I think under him, the hopes of World Cup qualification by 2010 or 2014 seem feasible. He has wide contacts because he has worked in so many countries. I've done my coaching licence under him in Malaysia and I feel Indian football couldn't have been in better hands,'' he said.

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