The President of the All India Football Federation Mr. Praful Patel, along with the General Secretary of the AIFF met all State Association representatives (Presidents and General Secretaries of affiliated State Associations) in a virtual meeting yesterday evening (Monday, September 21, 2020).
In a show of solidarity towards the State Association, the President, in the meeting waived off the CRS fees of all the registered players – an amount of Rs. 1.32 crore which was to be paid to the AIFF, and also the Academy Accreditation fee (34.5 lakhs) for the 2020-21 season.
Mr Praful Patel also granted a Rs. 3 crore Covid solidarity fund to help the State Associations. The allocated amount for each State Association will be discussed individually with the State FAs according to their individual requirements.
“I understand that the Covid pandemic has made life difficult for all of us – not just for football but for all issues regarding our livelihood,” Mr. Patel stated.
While the Indian season is set to commence from October, the President expressed his apprehension on whether the laid out plans for the season can be executed successfully amid the threat of the virus.
Meanwhile, according to a press released by the AIFF, the representatives from State Associations unanimously lauded and thanked AIFF’s initiative to bring all together on the virtual platform, expressing their “solidarity with AIFF” in taking Indian Football forward together.