India can reach top 50 in FIFA rankings in next 10 years: Mandaviya

India can enter the top 50 in the FIFA rankings, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Thursday, according to a statement issued by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

Top brass of the AIFF, including its president Kalyan Chaubey, met Mandaviya on Thursday to brief him about the existing AIFF-FIFA Academy in Odisha and the plan to construct four more such facilities in different areas.

“An elaborate plan needs to be developed and put in place for execution so that India can achieve a FIFA ranking below 50 in the next ten years,” Mandaviya said in the AIFF statement.

“India has one of the largest pools of young talent in the world. The focus must be on identifying talent at the grassroots level. They need to be nurtured alongside coaching development, which will be vital to the growth of the sport.

The FIFA rankings began in 1992 and the Indian men’s football team’s highest ranking was 94, achieved in February 1996. The team has reached the top 100 on very rare occasions.

In the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday, the Indian football team is ranked 127th, two places lower than the previous October list. World Cup regulars Japan, Iran, Korea and Australia are ranked 15th, 18th, 23rd and 26th respectively in the latest rankings.

After the meeting, which also discussed the importance of coaching development, the minister assured the AIFF of all possible support for the development of the sport in India.

“Rapid economic growth and an expanding middle class are reshaping attitudes toward sport. Parents now encourage their children to combine studies and sport, unlike in the past,” the minister underlined.

“The government is committed to providing comprehensive support for the development of sports in India. Initiatives such as new training centers and partnerships with international organizations will be drivers of progress.

Chaubey said the AIFF had presented a detailed plan to Mandaviya.

“Given the size and population of a vast country like India, a single AIFF-FIFA academy in Odisha is not enough. We therefore proposed to create four additional regional academies with the same technical support from FIFA.

“Currently in India, there are 25 fully professional clubs in the ISL and I-League. In addition to this, there are 80 academies accredited by the AIFF, all these teams have under-13 age category teams, the details have been presented to the ministry.

FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) Project Director Ged Roddy, currently visiting India, was also present at the meeting, along with AIFF General Secretary Anilkumar.

The AIFF-FIFA Academy was launched in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, after the visit of world-renowned coach Arsène Wenger, who is the Head of FIFA Global Football Development.

The academy currently has 32 cadets. FIFA TDS Project Director Roddy is currently visiting India to review the project.