Indian federation in talks with Dutch 'technical football' advisors

The All India Football Federation is currently in talks with Netherlands-based sports group, Orange Sports Forum, to obtain technical assistance to overhaul India’s football system. “The talks with OSF were very fruitful and they would be coming India later this month to give us a presentation,” general secretary Kushal Das told The Telegraph on his return from Amsterdam. “They are keen on a tie up with the AIFF and even [Guus] Hiddink has expressed his willingness to come down to India to help in chalking out the master plan."

OSF’s role, Das said, would be to draw a system in line with “total football”, the Dutch style of play that has made them famous all over the world. “Our idea is to run the entire system as per the plan to be given by their experts. At the same time, I have told them that their technical experts should also gradually pass on the knowledge to our local coaches and technical staff for future use. The company would also help the AIFF in appointing a full time technical director,” he said.

“The money could be raised from the market as several corporate houses, including a few from the Netherlands, are keen to help out India in raising its football standards. I am hopeful things would be finalised shortly,” he said.

While more than 70 foreign coaches have applied for india's national coaching job vacated by Bob Houghton, the AIFF has decided to first appoint a technical director. Armando Colaco, the current coach, has been given a four-month tenure till the end of the pre-World Cup campaign.

Founded in April 2010, the Orange Sports Forum is a platform for Dutch sports-related businesses, organizations and institutions to respond to potential partners from emerging markets.