AIFF struggles to survive with Rs 19.89 crore savings! A ray of hope with sponsorship for IWL and the government’s promise
Is Indian football nearing a financial downfall? According to a report from Khel Now, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has only Rs 19.89 Crore in its savings account, which the organization can use freely, not the illusory amount of Rs 50 Crore! In the AGM, held on 20th December, AIFF has shown that it has a fund of Rs 50.57 Crore. But in reality, the number looks fantasy! The truth is that the AIFF has a bank balance of Rs 19.89 Crore, which it can use freely. It has a fixed-deposit of Rs 21. 63 Crore, which s locked in and also has nearly Rs 10 Crore which belongs to Fifia projects! The money granted by FIFA cannot be freely used as it comes with strict conditions. The federation still projects an approximate deficit of Rs 23 Crore by 31st May this year. Along with this, if the unpaid bills and liabilities are added, the deficiency goes to Rs 25.88 Crore! One of the senior AIFF executives, when asked about the issue by Parallel Sports, divulged on condition of anonymity, “Yes, the AIFF is going through a severe financial crisis. Still, we are optimistic that the situation will change.” Despite the struggle, the ongoing Indian Women’s League (IWL) has got an investment of approximately Rs 3 Crore. But the Federation has to bear the whole expenses of the Santosh Trophy, which goes to approximately Rs 4 Crore. If sponsorship cannot be obtained, then the AIFF has plans to go for cost curtailment, and in that case, a couple of age-group tournaments, which were introduced a couple of years ago as a part of youth development programs, may be stopped for this season. However, the AIFF seems to have a ray of hope amidst the dwindling present, that the Union Sports Ministry has promised to come forward for the training of the junior and men’s junior national teams, even financially, who have earned qualification for the Asian Cup main round.
Anthony takes Boro Ma’s blessings; dedicates SAFF Club Cup to the fans
The SAFF Club Cup-winning East Bengal women’s football team’s coaching staff led by Anthony Andrews visited Boro ma goddess temple on Monday morning, on the day after the Red-and-Gold women’s brigade returned to Kolkata with the trophy. Ahead of their campaign in the IWL on 24th December, Anthony when asked about the title and prospect in the IWL, said to Parallel Sports, “I dedicate the SAF Club Championship trophy to the fans. We missed the AFC Club Championship qualification for the main round by a whisker, conceding a last-minute goal. Then after returning I watched how fans who were passionately praying for us, became demoralized. That is why, this time we decided to dedicate the SAFF Club Championship trophy to them.” East Bengal coach ha already achieved a rare feat in India’s women’s football history by winning three trophies in a single season already and now he is aiming to defend the IWL. “Our girls played back-to-back matches. Naturally they are exhausted. So they have started doing rehab program in Kalyani. Additionally, a few of our girls received injuries. So they need the rehab program for the recovery. After their recovery I hope they will again be able to deliver their best to defend the title,” added Anthony.
The first badminton player in history to earn 1 million US Dollar prize money in a single year!
South Korea’s An Seyoung reached a height in world badminton’s history that no badminton player has been able to achieve. She became the first-ever badminton player to take home more than USD 1 million as prize money in a single year. She clinched the BWF World Tour Finals title on Sunday, which had a reward of 240,000 US Dollar, which took her total prize money for the year to 1,003,175 US Dollar. The World Tour Finals crown was An’s 11th title of the season. An has created another magnificent statistic which shows that her Sunday’s win against Wang Zhi Yi in Hangzhou was her 74th of the season in 77 matches! According to BWF, that win percentage is the best for any player, for those who have played a minimum of 60 matches in a season in the Super Series or World Tour era. An already legendary Lin Dan’s 92.75 percent triumph, made in 2011. An Seyoung also set a new mark of clinching 11th title in a single year in 2025, equalling legendary Japanese men’s player Kento Komota’s most titles in a single year.
AIFF initiates for a separate footballers’ union! Receives wrath from the world body
The AIFF has initiated for the build-up a separate Football Players’ Association! But this move faces criticism from the the world body of Professional Footballers’ Union, FIPRO. FIPRO is concerned with the attempt to control players rather than allow genuine independent representation. The organization expressed deep concern on Sunday about the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) initiative to introduce its own footballers’ association. Last week, the AIFF opened registrations to form its own National Players’ Association (NPA), which included a set of criteria for interested applicants, including playing the sport at an elite level in the country. The NPA is an independent body represented by football players. Despite being an independent body, the NPA will not have a separate identity according to the AIFF Constitution’s Schedule IV, Article 1.4. And therefore, the body will not have the authority to act on behalf of AIFF or to represent it to any third parties. The most interesting part of AIFF’s initiative is that NPA will not have any authority to legally bind or commit AIFF in any way. The AIFF said elections for the office bearers of the NPA board will be conducted by the federation’s election committee. FIFPRO is deeply concerned by the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) decision to start a process to create a players’ association under its own control. This is an attempt to bypass the Football Players’ Association of India (FPAI), the legitimate representative body of professional footballers in India,” FIFPRO said in a statement. “A players’ association effectively controlled by the federation would deprive players of an independent union, as well as meaningful influence and collective bargaining power, all of which are fundamental to effective worker representation under International Labour Organisation standards,” the Body added. “All top professional football leagues around the world have independent player unions. Regrettably, AIFF is following a broader and increasingly visible tactic in football governance, whereby so-called “yellow unions” are created to weaken, bypass, or delegitimise genuine and independent player representation.” FIFPRO also stated that it had already reached out to AIFF, FIFA, and AFC via a letter in October, addressing the issues plaguing Indian football. FIFPRO emphasized that authorities must respect international labour standards, democratic principles, and the right of Indian professional footballers to be represented by an independent, player-led union, highlighting their belief that AIFF’s move undermines these rights.
