National Football League to commence in November:

The National Football League (NFL) would begin in the last week of November, but the All India Football Federation (AIFF) was faced with a major problem in finalising its calendar.

An AIFF panel was working on the calendar and it should be ready by October 23 or 24, 2000.

He pointed out that had the NFL started in September-October the problem could have been minimised. But now, with the pre-World Cup matches scheduled in March-April, around 25 top players would be held up in camps. There was also the Millennium Cup in January that should take away another 15 days or more.

At an emergent meeting of the AIFF Executive Committee here on Tuesday, Mr. Alberto Colaco was appointed the chairman of the fifth edition of the NFL. The NFL committee would meet here on October 22. Mr. Colaco would be expected to draw up a format that should take into account all other engagements including the Federation Cup.

The president was authorised by the Executive to negotiate with a Brazilian coach and physical trainer as recommended by the FIFA Executive member, Mr. Mohammed Bin Hammam Al Abdulla. The coach, Edson Blevio Porto `Edinho' and the trainer, Jose Carlos Fontes de Albuquerque, were seeking 7,000 dollars each per month, Mr. Dasmunshi said.

The AIFF chief said that it was being ascertained whether India could have the services of the coach alone or whether this was going to be a package. The AIFF would also be requesting FIFA whether it could pay the coach's salary direct from the development fund.

Mr. Dasmunshi said that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was prepared to extend funds up to 1500 dollars for a coach for preparing the Indian team for the Afro-Asian Games, while the Union Government was also ready to pay an equal amount. The IOA assistance would, however, last only up to the end of the Afro-Asian Games next year. The AIFF was keen to utilise the Government funding for its youth development programme, Mr. Dasmunshi said.

The match-fixing allegations in the Calcutta League (First Division, group `B' match involving Barsiha Sporting and Victoria Sporting) had reached the FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) through the media and the AIFF was concerned about the same, Mr. Dasmunshi said. The IFA had been asked to give a report on the matter and action would be taken at an appropriate time, he added.

Mr. Dasmunshi quoted from the AIFF constitution to argue that Tuesday's Executive Committee meeting convened by him was not unconstitutional as alleged by a section of the federation. He said that there were urgent matters relating to the NFL that were to be discussed and the Secretary, Mr. K.N. Mour, had failed to convene the meeting as desired by him on September 29.

``In this case, eight members of the Executive and several clubs were demanding to know why the Executive was not being convened,'' Mr. Dasmunshi said. ``I had to use my discretionary powers to convene the meeting and the Secretary informed me that he was not in a position to attend the meeting.''

Nine of the 12 Executive members attended Tuesday's meeting, according to Mr. Dasmunshi.

A request from Delhi had been received by the AIFF suggesting that the inauguration of the Millennium Cup, to be held in January in Calcutta, Kochi and Goa, be held here. There was also a suggestion from Delhi and Mumbai that the some of the teams on their return be requested to play a few exhibition matches at these two centres.

Dempo Sports Club, Goa, had made a request that though it was relegated, it be included in the NFL for the new season. Asked why such requests should be entertained since there was a clear- cut relegation system, Mr. Dasmunshi said that his own view on the matter was clear. ``The relegation system should be followed, but it is up to the NFL committee to look into Dempo's request.''