Itanagar: FIFA President Gianni Infantino is expected to attend the final rounds of the upcoming 77th National Championship for Santosh Trophy in Arunachal Pradesh.
Santosh Trophy, also known as the National Football Championship, to held in Arunachal Pradesh this season, will be known as the Fifa Santosh Trophy, All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey said.
“I am happy to announce that after having discussions with FIFA, the Santosh Trophy will now be known as the FIFA Santosh Trophy. This entails that a team of FIFA officials will come to have a meeting with Arunachal Pradesh officials on the conduct of the tournament,” Chaubey said.
“We also expect the FIFA President (Gianni Infantino) to be present for the final on March 9 or 10, 2024,” the AIFF announced.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Pema Khandu and the Arunachal Pradesh Football Association (APFA) extended sincere thanks to AIFF president for his efforts in ensuring collective dream becomes a reality.
“Arunachal Pradesh is all excited to welcome the FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the final round of Santosh Trophy scheduled to be held in the state in Feb-March 2024,” Khandu wrote on his micro-blogging site X.
Chaubey said AIFF officials will hold detailed discussions with FIFA’s chief of global football development and renowned coach, Arsene Wenger, who is set to visit India from November 19-23, to chalk out plans for the proposed FIFA-AIFF academies.
“Our plan is to have five academies, one across each zone in India. One academy will not be enough, since it can produce only 25-30 players,” the AIFF Chief explained.
