Federation Cup will be a big success: Colaco

CHENNAI, AUG 4. Just days remain for the August 15 kick off of the Federation Cup football tournament and the first step in the organisation front was taken on Saturday with the opening of the Tournament committee office at the Nehru stadium with all the solemnity attached to the occasion.

Present was the AIFF Secretary, Mr Alberto Colaco, who, speaking to the media thereafter admitted that there were several loose ends to be tied up and small flaws to be corrected. He said the ground itself was still to get ready, but expressed confidence that in the end everything would fall in order and the tournament would be a big success.

The tournament would not have a title sponsor, but there could be a co-sponsor which would be announced on the eve of the tournament.

He said special effort had been made towards publicity, and for this, Vijay Advertising Private limited had been given the job to provide displays, posters and banners as also video tapes in several TV channels. ``We must get a good crowd and we hope through this tournament involving the 20 best clubs in India, the game in this part of the region will be revived.

Barring Bhaichung Bhutia, who plays in England, all other stars of Indian football will be seen in action,'' he said, adding that the expenses for this Rs. 24 lakh prize money fixture would be entirely met by the AIFF.

Mr. Colaco, keen to give a big boost to this revived- tournament in the new millennium, said that both the players and referees would be chasing excellence since they were to be assessed. The players will be tested since the SAF Games and the Afro-Asian Games are ahead and the Referees because the AFC Instructor Mr. Maniam will recommend only those who fit the bill (in terms of theoretical knowledge and practical acumen) for future FIFA panel,'' he said.

The AIFF Secretary said that the Federation Cup would for the first time enjoy live coverage by Doordarshan of all the matches. Consequently the timing of matches had been so kept that they were television-friendly and spectator-friendly with one match (when there are two scheduled) totally under floodlights.

Mr. C.R. Visswanathan, President of the host unit, Tamil Nadu Football Association, chipped in to say that it has been planned to present one sovereign gold each day to a lucky spectator, which will be decided in a lucky dip of ticket counterfoils. Kerala Jewellery had offered to provide this present as also one sovereign gold for the `player of the match' each day.

Mr. G.M. Panchatcharam, TFA Treasurer, will manage the newly set up Tournament office. The telephone numbers there are 5364161 and 5389104.

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Section  : Sport
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