India has the resources to emerge as soccer powerhouse: AFC

New Delhi, Nov 6 (UNI) India, at present, maybe a dwarf among the giants of soccer superpowers but the nation hooked on to cricket can emerge as a football powerhouse with a concerted effort, believes Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed Bin Hammam.

According to the AFC chief, India has the necessary wherewithal to make its mark in the world of soccer and the recently launched ''Vision India'' programme could be the right catalyst in realising this dream.

In his message for the Manipur State League, which was launched here last week, Mr Bin Hammam said, ''With concentrated effort and hard-work, the profile and standard of football in india can be enhanced.

''With its enormous population and proud football history, India has the necessary resources to be a major football power in the years to come. The potential for football in India is enormous but this potential has not yet been released,'' he said.

''To keep pace with the development and changes in modern football it is essential that all stakeholders of Indian football work together to achieve the required changes and developments.

Vision India is designed to provide this framework,'' he added.

Patting Manipur for producing a large number of players who went on to play for the national team, the AFC chief said, ''Manipur was selected by AIFF in 2005 as a pilot project for Vision India because of its enthusiasm for football besides its passion, leadership and commitment to progress and change. In a short span of just one and a half years, Manipur has made huge strides towards strengthening its core football activities administration and management, clubs and competitions, grassroots and youth programmes, coaches and referee's education.

''The most important element and key focus of Vision India Project Manipur is the Manipur State League, a League which will provide a high-performance platform for the players, clubs, coaches, referees and officials. I am confident that this League will work as a catalyst towards football development in North East India,'' he opined.

''I urge other states in India to follow the lead of Manipur in embracing the Vision India programme, and thereby commit to the goal of making India a formidable force in international football,'' he added.

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