By Team Mangalorean Bangalore

Bangalore Nov 4: Union Minister and President of All India Football Federation Praful Patel today laid the foundation stone for the International Football Academy of FIFA Goal Project-2 at the Football Stadium here today November 4, 2009.

The academy which will be aiming at training budding soccer players will have international coaches deputed by FIFA to train budding footballers of the country, including those from Karnataka. The training would be for an average period of two years, said Patel.

Praful, who is also All India Football Federation (AIFF) President, said it was a shame that our football players had to go abroad for training due to lack of infrastructure in the country. He said ''due to lack of infrastructure our players were sent to Dubai and Barcelona for training. There is urgent need to develop proper infrastructure to promote the popular game. Infrastructure can be developed if state governments, Corporate sector join hands with AIFF as it requires huge investment,'' he added.

Stating that it is now time to take football to the next level, he said the Academy here, to be built at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore funded by FIFA, would provide an opportunity for budding players to reach the international level as they would be trained and coached by experts appointed by the FIFA. It will be jointly managed by Federation DE International Football Association (FIFA), All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA).

He said Karnataka was the second state to get the Academy after Sikkim and third one sanctioned by FIFA would come up in Andaman Islands.

The academy will accommodate 60 trainees with all facilities, including boarding, lodging, gymnasium, seminar hall among others, he said and added that the academy would be a "milestone in the annals of Karnataka state and the KSFA".

He said Indian footballers were being encouraged to take part in more international events and inviting others to play here to build the team and improve its global ranking. The focus was on building both the national and lower level teams.

Patel lauded the Karnataka government for its interest in the sport and contribution in terms of announcing Rs five crore to modernisation and upgradation of facilities. He said that despite a large number of football lovers in places like Goa, Mumbai and Kolkata, Karnataka State Football Association was the only body to have its own property and stadium. He urged the state government for a contribution of Rs 10-15 crore for the development of the sport.

Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa on this occasion announced Rs five crore towards upgradation of facilities.

Patel assures enhanced air connectivity to Karnataka

BANGALORE: Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on Wednesday assured Karnataka of  enhanced air connectivity in future to boost its march towards development.

At a function to mark the laying of foundation stone of the International Football Academy, he said the Karnataka government had been seeking more scheduled flights from Mysore to other cities.

He said the state government was keen in developing cities like Mysore and Mangalore as part of its efforts at decentralising. The government of India, he said, supports Karnataka government’s vision, endeavour and would take all steps to ensure enhanced connectivity.

Cabinet formation will be smooth

Praful Patel who is also a senior NCP leader expressed confidence that the present crisis over the formation of Maharashtra Ministry would end by tomorrow.
Talking to newspersons on the sidelines of laying a foundation stone for Football Academy here, he said, ''The present impasse will end by tomorrow evening and it would be a 'win win' for both NCP and Congress.''

He said the dialogue was continuing over sharing of the portfolios and both NCP and the Congress have reached a final stage and the formation of the Cabinet would be a 'smooth' affair.

Stalemate prevailed over formation of the Ministry in Maharashtra as NCP, the alliance partner of Congress, unwilling to join the ministry over the sharing of plum portfolios will extend outside support. However, the dialogues were continuing among the leaders over the issue.